• Gain Therapeutics

  Led · Equity · Feb 2019

  Gain Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing new chemical entities that target non-classical allosteric binding sites on enzymes to restore or gain enzyme function for rare genetic and CNS diseases. The company uses a patented computational SEE-Tx™ platform to identify and validate previously unidentified allosteric sites and to aid in the discovery of modulatory compounds. Its pipeline consists of small-molecule candidates designed to access difficult-to-reach tissues including bone, cartilage and the central nervous system, and it has two lead programs planned for IND-enabling studies. In July 2020 Gain completed a $10 million Series B financing to accelerate those IND-enabling studies, expand the pipeline and support business development. Concurrent with the financing, Gain completed a share exchange whereby Gain Therapeutics SA (originally established in Switzerland in 2017) became a wholly owned subsidiary. Eric I. Richman was appointed Chief Executive Officer and a member of the company’s Board of Directors at the close of the round. The company has also received funding support and awards from The Michael J. Fox Foundation, The Silverstein Foundation for Parkinson’s with GBA and the Eurostars-2 program, and its Swiss entity had prior support from investors including TiVenture, 3B Future Health Fund and VitaTech. Gain Therapeutics is a preclinical-stage biotech that licensed the SEE-Tx® (Site-directed Enzyme Enhancement Therapy) computational platform to identify next-generation non-competitive pharmacological chaperones. The platform is designed to find brain-penetrant small molecules that provide gain-of-function for misfolded proteins and is applicable to diseases with known genetic mutations in target proteins. Gain has discovery programs in lysosomal storage disorders and central nervous system (CNS) indications at various stages of development. The company was established in 2017 in Lugano and maintains a branch in Barcelona. Gain Therapeutics was initially financed by TiVenture and has positioned its programs to offer partnering opportunities as the programs validate the platform. In February 2019 the company received additional funding from Helsinn Investment Fund to support its early-stage programs.

• OncoResponse

  Participated · Series B · Sep 2018

  OncoResponse is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company led by CEO Clifford Stocks and based in Seattle, WA. The company develops cancer immunotherapies using clues from the immune systems of Elite Cancer Responders and deploys a proprietary B-cell discovery platform in a broad strategic alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center. Its lead clinical candidate, OR2805, is a fully human antibody discovered from an Elite Responder and has entered cohort expansion trials in multiple cancer indications. Additional pipeline candidates that modulate suppressive macrophage activity are under development, including OR502, an anti-LILRB2 antibody that rescues innate and adaptive immune responses from LILRB2-mediated suppression. OncoResponse intends to use recent proceeds to support advancement of OR502 toward IND enabling work and clinical studies, with OR502 expected to enter clinical studies in 2023. The company announced both a $14M financing and a separate $13M grant award from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). OncoResponse is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company that uses a proprietary human B-cell discovery platform to identify fully human monoclonal antibodies from the immune systems of elite cancer responders. Its lead candidate, OR2805, is a fully human antibody discovered from an elite responder to checkpoint inhibitor therapy and has entered clinical studies. The company is advancing additional pipeline candidates that modulate suppressive macrophage activity toward the clinic. OncoResponse has a broad strategic alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center to support target discovery and development. The company is privately held and backed by a syndicate of institutional and strategic investors. Proceeds from recent financing will be used for general working capital and to support ongoing clinical testing of OR2805. OncoResponse uses a proprietary B‑cell screening platform to discover fully human monoclonal antibodies from cancer patients who had exceptional responses to immunotherapy. Its pipeline focuses on antibodies that modulate immunosuppressive myeloid targets in the tumor microenvironment to enhance immune activation and tumor killing in vitro and in vivo. The company is in a broad strategic alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center to advance discovery and development. Proceeds from the recent financing will advance the lead antibody, OR2805, into clinical development across multiple tumor types and fund preclinical assets to IND. OR2805 was derived from a patient who experienced an exceptional response to anti‑PD‑1 therapy and is designed to relieve macrophage‑mediated immunosuppression to promote T‑cell tumor killing. OncoResponse announced a $40.6 million Series C to fund these near‑term clinical plans. The company is based in Seattle. OncoResponse is an immunotherapy company developing a portfolio of novel antibodies to high-value targets for the treatment of cancer. Its discovery platform mines the immune systems of patients who have responded exceptionally well to cancer immunotherapies to identify therapeutically relevant antibodies. All five of the company’s drug candidates were derived from that patient-derived discovery engine, and several antibodies are directed at modulating immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment. The company plans to use the new capital to advance those five programs into preclinical and clinical development. OncoResponse is privately held and backed by investors including MD Anderson Cancer Center, RiverVest Venture Partners, Qatar Investment Authority, Redmile Group, ARCH Venture Partners, Canaan Partners, Helsinn Investment Fund, Shire, HT Family Office, Alexandria Venture Investments and William Marsh Rice University. The company was founded in October 2015. OncoResponse uses a clinically validated platform to rapidly screen antibodies produced by the human immune system and identify those with exceptional reactivity to cancer. The company focuses on mining samples from patients who have had elite responses to cancer immunotherapies to discover candidate antibodies and targets across multiple oncology indications. OncoResponse has a strategic alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center that provides continuous access to patient samples and oncology/translational expertise, including clinical and regulatory input. The company intends to continue developing its research programs to expand the promise of immuno-oncology by identifying therapeutically relevant antibodies. OncoResponse recently closed its Series A financing, which will be used to support these ongoing discovery and development efforts. The company also strengthened its scientific leadership by appointing new members to its Scientific Advisory Board.

• Fore Biotherapeutics

  Participated · Equity · Apr 2018

  FORE Biotherapeutics is a registration-stage targeted oncology company whose lead asset is plixorafenib (FORE8394; formerly PLX8394), a BRAF inhibitor with a mechanism described as both a dimer and paradox breaker. The company is advancing plixorafenib in the global Phase 2 FORTE Master Protocol, a registration-intended basket study that includes monotherapy baskets for recurrent or progressive BRAF V600E primary CNS tumors, rare BRAF V600 mutated solid tumors, and advanced solid tumors with BRAF fusions. Fore reported that target enrollment of approximately 50 patients has been reached in the BRAF V600E CNS tumor basket and expects topline results from that basket around the end of 2026; the company anticipates a potential regulatory submission if the primary analysis is positive. Plixorafenib received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA in April 2026, and prior Phase 1/2 data showed a 67% ORR in MAPK inhibitor–naïve BRAF V600 primary recurrent CNS tumors (n=9) and a 42% response rate with a median duration of response of 17.8 months in V600-altered, MAPK inhibitor–naïve patients. The company reported a favorable safety profile for plixorafenib, including a drug-related discontinuation rate of less than 2%, and has implemented protocol changes in FORTE such as allowing dosing with food and lowering the minimum enrollment age to 8 years based on IDMC clearance.

• Personal Genome Diagnostics

  Participated · Series B · Jan 2018

  Personal Genome Diagnostics develops regulated tissue-based and liquid biopsy genomic products, including the FDA-cleared elio™ tissue complete kit that enables laboratories to perform comprehensive on-site tumor profiling. The company focuses on decentralized tumor profiling to expand access to genomic information across academic medical centers and community hospitals. PGDx plans to use recent funding to expand its tissue and liquid biopsy portfolio, grow its global commercial footprint, and scale commercial and operational infrastructure. It also aims to broaden adoption of its elio™ oncology products and expand pharma and biotechnology partnerships to accelerate biomarker-driven therapy development. The company was established by researchers from Johns Hopkins University and has secured positive Medicare coverage decisions and several strategic partnership agreements. PGDx recently closed a $103 million Series C financing to support these growth initiatives. Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) is a Baltimore-based developer of tissue-based and liquid biopsy technologies for cancer genomics. The company specializes in high-throughput next-generation sequencing and proprietary algorithms to identify alterations in complex cancer genomes. It maintains a diversified business model supported by a proprietary technology portfolio, bioinformatics system, and comprehensive genetic library. PGDx was founded in 2010 by Luis Diaz and Victor Velculescu and is led by CEO Douglas Ward. The company intends to use the funds to advance its regulated in vitro diagnostic (IVD) genome testing technologies. The financing is reported as up to $42.0M provided under an agreement with Innovatus Capital Partners. Personal Genome Diagnostics is a Baltimore-based life sciences company focused on tissue-based and liquid biopsy technologies and products for cancer genomics. It specializes in high-throughput next-generation sequencing and proprietary algorithms to identify alterations in complex cancer genomes and has developed non-invasive approaches to cancer testing. PGDx is developing and commercializing a portfolio of tissue and liquid biopsy in vitro diagnostic (IVD) cancer tests that will be clinically validated and regulated to enable worldwide access to its technology. The company intends to use the Series B proceeds to support a strategic initiative to bring regulated IVD genome testing to cancer patients and their physicians worldwide. Led by CEO Douglas Ward, PGDx offers end-to-end cancer genome analysis capabilities from sample preparation and sequencing to data interpretation and analysis. The financing supports the company’s commercialization and regulatory efforts for its IVD test portfolio. Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) develops a platform of advanced genomic analyses for oncology, including whole genome sequencing, pan-cancer panels, targeted panels and single-gene analysis in tissue and liquid biopsies. The company also offers custom approaches for target discovery and companion diagnostics and provides clinical services through its CLIA-certified laboratory. PGDx was founded in 2010 by Johns Hopkins researchers Luis A. Diaz and Victor Velculescu. The company occupies an 11,000-square-foot historic facility in Baltimore’s harbor neighborhood and has 63 employees. PGDx intends to use new funding to expand operations and increase adoption of its services. Personal Genome Diagnostics, founded in 2010 by Luis Diaz, MD, and Victor Velculescu, MD, PhD, develops advanced cancer genome analyses using genomic methods and cancer-biology expertise to identify and characterize tumor genomic alterations. The company provides services and assays to oncology researchers, drug developers, clinicians and patients. It offers circulating tumor DNA assays and is using new funds to support further development and marketing of those assays. Since inception the company has been funded primarily by revenue from its cancer genome analysis services to biopharmaceutical firms, academic research centers, contract research organizations, patients and physicians. The company is based in Baltimore, MD and focuses on translating genomic methods into actionable cancer diagnostics and assays.

• GreenBone Ortho

  Led · Equity · Jun 2017

  GreenBone Ortho SpA develops bio-inspired, off-the-shelf 3D bone grafts built from natural wood-derived scaffolds incorporating resorbable nano-crystalline hydroxyapatite, beta-tricalcium phosphate, magnesium and strontium. The cell-free, growth-factor-free scaffold is highly porous and has demonstrated the ability to drive de novo bone mineralisation at ectopic sites; two international clinical studies are ongoing and a CE-mark was granted in December 2019 for a portfolio addressing large segmental bone defects. The company plans to use the new funding to expand clinical indications such as spinal and maxillofacial surgery, build a new production line, and support the market launch of the approved product. GreenBone has raised EUR22 million in equity since its 2015 founding in Faenza, Italy, including the EUR10 million Series B just closed. The technology aims to offer an alternative to traditional bone grafts and transplants by mimicking natural bone chemistry and 3D architecture to improve outcomes for large bone replacements. Management and the new board include experienced investors and industry executives who will support clinical and commercial roll-out. GreenBone, founded in 2014 and based in Faenza, Italy, develops a patented wood-derived, biomimetic and resorbable scaffold for bone regeneration targeting long-bone non-unions, spinal damage, trauma and cancer-induced bone loss. Its core product is a bio-inspired bone implant designed to regenerate functional bone and reduce healthcare and social costs for patients with severe skeletal damage. The company has completed pre-clinical studies in cooperation with Assaf-Harofeh Hospital and the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute and holds granted patents in the USA, EU, China and other countries with a PCT application pending. GreenBone intends to complete clinical development in load-bearing long-bone defects and pursue CE marking, while also conducting pre-clinical development for additional skeletal applications. Financially, the company closed a €3 million seed round in 2015 and has secured a €2 million investment from Helsinn Investment Fund as part of a wider fundraising. Management is described as experienced and having advanced multiple orthopedic products from bench to market. GreenBone develops a wood-derived bone implant technology designed to generate biomimetic, reabsorbable load-bearing implants suitable for addressing non-union fractures. The implant concept was conceived and developed by a research group at ISTEC-CNR (Andrea Ruffini, Simone Sprio and Anna Tampieri). The company plans to continue platform development, run clinical studies on patients with bone damages and obtain the CE mark. GreenBone is an Innovative Startup under Italian law. In its first venture capital funding the company raised €3m to support those development and regulatory efforts. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Faenza, Italy.

No current team members are available.