Participated · Series B · Aug 2021

Founded in 2018, Lingke Pharma (凌科药业) focuses on discovery and development of FIC/BIC therapies in autoimmune disease, inflammation and oncology. Its core programs center on second-generation highly selective and third-generation tissue-specific JAK inhibitors, with the small-molecule JAK1 candidate LNK01001 reporting positive Phase II data in rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis and ankylosing spondylitis showing strong efficacy and favorable safety. Multiple programs (including LNK01002 and LNK01003) have reported encouraging early clinical data, LNK01004 has enrolled its first patient in an Ib study for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and several assets are preparing to transition into Phase III. The company has submitted multiple end-of-Phase II / pre-Phase III meeting applications and says it will scale clinical development and invest in R&D teams and technology platforms. Frost & Sullivan is cited forecasting the JAK1 inhibitor market could reach USD 30.5 billion by 2030, underscoring the large market opportunity. Lingke says its innovation and clinical execution are being validated while it progresses toward broader late-stage development and eventual commercialization. Lynk Pharmaceuticals is a Hangzhou-based clinical-stage company focused on developing small-molecule FIC and BIC drugs for oncology and autoimmune diseases. Led by Dr. Zhao-Kui (ZK) Wan, Chairman and CEO, the core team has deep expertise in medicinal chemistry, biology, clinical and commercial development, with an average of more than 20 years in drug R&D. The company emphasizes innovation and differentiation, concentrating on highly selective second-generation and tissue-restricted third-generation JAK inhibitors while exploring novel targets. It currently has four Phase II clinical trials across four indications with promising clinical data. A few programs are expected to enter Phase III in the near future, and additional pipeline candidates have shown promising clinical and preclinical data with potential to become BIC/FIC drugs for several indications. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the clinical development of its core products. Lynk Pharmaceuticals is a Hangzhou-based drug R&D company founded in 2018 and led by Chairman and CEO Dr. Zhao-Kui (ZK) Wan. It focuses on development of global FIC/BIC small-molecule drugs targeting autoimmune diseases, inflammation and cancers. In three and a half years since its establishment Lynk has obtained IND approvals for three original products in China and the United States and launched global clinical development. The company completed an ex-China out-license of LNK01001 and in-licensed a first-in-class RAS program from Kobe University and RIKEN in 2020. Lynk recently closed a $50M Series B to fund Phase I and II clinical trials for multiple programs and to support preclinical development of new projects. Management also plans to use proceeds to expand international business and strengthen collaborations with partner companies.

Participated · Series A · Sep 2017

Paragon Genomics, based in Hayward, Calif., develops targeted Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) assays and technologies centered on its CleanPlex™ platform. CleanPlex has demonstrated advantages with low DNA input and degraded samples and has been adopted by more than 50 NGS labs globally. Notable adopters include groups at the University of California, USDA, CDC, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Annoroad Gene Technology. The company intends to use the Series A proceeds to develop additional NGS assay products, particularly in oncology and precision medicine. It also plans to expand its U.S. commercial team and grow its presence into Europe, Asia and South America via partnerships and distributorships. The $8M Series A provides capital to support these product and commercial expansion plans.

Participated · Series B · May 2017

Symic Bio develops novel matrix-targeting therapeutics inspired by naturally occurring macromolecules that regulate the extracellular matrix. The company currently has two clinical candidates: SB-061 for disease modification and pain management in osteoarthritis, and SB-030 to prevent peripheral vein graft failure. It is also investigating applications in fibrosis, oncology and diseases of the central nervous system. Symic Bio is led by CEO Ken Horne and is based in San Francisco, CA. The company raised $11M in financing to advance its clinical programs. Proceeds are intended to move SB-061 into a global Phase 2b trial in the latter half of 2019 and to initiate a global Phase 3 trial of SB-030 in 2020. Symic Bio develops novel matrix regulator therapeutics inspired by naturally occurring macromolecules that modulate the extracellular matrix. The company’s pipeline targets a range of indications, including peripheral vein graft failure, osteoarthritis, fibrosis, oncology and central nervous system diseases. Lead programs include SB-030 for prevention of peripheral vein graft failure and SB-061 for pain management and disease modification in knee osteoarthritis. Symic plans to use financing proceeds to advance those clinical programs and to support further research on its platform. The company intends to initiate a Phase 3 registration trial of SB-030 following a Type B pre-IND meeting with the FDA, which recommended proceeding based on interim results from the Phase 1/2a SHIELD study. Ken Horne serves as CEO. Symic is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company developing multiple compounds that target and affect the extracellular matrix (ECM). The company’s lead candidates include SB-030, a locally applied, single-use treatment, and SB-061 for osteoarthritis. Symic recently initiated the Phase 1/2 SHIELD clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SB-030 for reduction of acute inflammation following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in patients with peripheral artery disease. The company will use its new funding to advance its pipeline, including SB-030 and SB-061. Symic has raised over $43M to date. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in San Francisco, CA, led by CEO Ken Horne. Symic Biomedical develops a new class of therapeutics that target the extracellular matrix (ECM), with a lead candidate named SBCV-030 aimed at reducing arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failures. The company plans to use recent funding to perform additional preclinical efficacy studies and advance SBCV-030 toward clinical development. The work is organized as a two-year project focused on further development of the therapeutic agent. Symic is collaborating with Prabir Roy-Chaudhury, M.D., Ph.D., Division Director of Nephrology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Banner University Medical Center, Tucson. The project is led by CEO Ken Horne. The company is based in San Francisco, California. Symic Biomedical is an early-stage biotech based in San Francisco developing a library of compounds that target and protect the extracellular matrix (ECM) from illness- or injury-related degradation. The company views the ECM as a relevant clinical target across vascular, orthopaedics, dermal and other medical conditions. Symic is advancing two lead programs and intends to push those candidates into clinical trials. The company will use proceeds from the financing for ongoing development of its novel therapeutics and the advancement of its lead programs. Led by CEO Ken Horne, Symic had raised a total of $17.8M to date following the Series A. In conjunction with the financing, Drs. Shanafelt and Claus Christiansen, MD (Chairman of Nordic Biosciences) joined Symic’s board of directors.