Participated · Equity · May 2021

Caris Life Sciences is a next-generation AI TechBio company and precision medicine pioneer that provides comprehensive molecular profiling through Whole Exome and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing. The company launched MI Cancer Seek after receiving FDA approval; it is the first and only simultaneous WES/WTS-based assay with FDA-approved CDx indications for molecular profiling of solid tumors in adult and pediatric patients. In 2024 Caris commercially launched Caris Assure, a minimally invasive, blood-based assay using a circulating Nucleic Acid Sequencing (cNAS) approach to analyze cell-free DNA and RNA as well as genomic DNA and mRNA from white blood cells to distinguish somatic tumor, incidental clonal hematopoiesis and incidental germline variants. Caris combines sequencing power, big data and AI/machine learning to build a large-scale, multimodal database and computing capability to analyze the molecular complexity of disease. The company says it will use its platform to deliver next-generation precision medicine tools for early detection, diagnosis, monitoring, therapy selection and drug development and to bring its science and technologies to more patients. Financially, Caris closed a $168 million growth capital round and has raised $1.86 billion in capital since 2018. Caris Life Sciences develops comprehensive molecular profiling that analyzes DNA (whole exome sequencing), RNA (whole transcriptome sequencing), and protein biomarkers to reveal a patient’s molecular blueprint for selecting therapies. The company applies sophisticated AI and machine learning to identify proprietary signatures that classify cancer at the molecular level and predict patient response. Caris maintains a molecular database of over 455,000 tumor profiles, including more than 350,000 profiles with matched molecular data and clinical outcomes. Founded in 2008, the company positions itself as a leading innovator in precision medicine. Caris plans to use new capital to repay outstanding debt, enhance its precision medicine platform, and for general corporate purposes. Since 2018 the company has raised approximately $1.7 billion in capital. Caris Life Sciences provides molecular profiling services that assess DNA, RNA and proteins to create a molecular blueprint that supports personalized cancer treatment decisions. The company combines its service offering, Caris Molecular Intelligence®, with its proprietary AI analytics engine, DEAN™, to analyze the whole exome, whole transcriptome and complete cancer proteome. Caris couples these molecular data with mature clinical outcomes on thousands of patients to generate insights for patients, physicians, payers and biopharmaceutical organizations. The company is headquartered in Irving, Texas and has offices in Phoenix, Denver, New York and Basel, Switzerland, providing services across the U.S., Europe, Asia and other international markets. David D. Halbert leads the company as Chairman and CEO. The business emphasizes integrating molecular science and artificial intelligence to advance precision medicine. Caris Life Sciences develops molecular profiling and analytics to guide precision oncology decisions, offering whole exome and whole transcriptome sequencing and proteome analysis. Its product suite includes MI Exome™ and MI Transcriptome™ sequencing, Caris MAI™ (Molecular Artificial Intelligence) and the DEAN™ analytics engine. Caris Pharmatech provides Just-In-Time clinical trial solutions and a network of over 200 research-ready oncology sites to speed site activation and patient enrollment. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, the company also has offices in Phoenix, Denver, New York and Basel and serves markets in the U.S., Europe, Asia and other international regions. The company will use new capital to fund continued growth in precision medicine, accelerate product development and pursue initiatives in the clinical trial and biopharmaceutical markets. Caris is led by Chairman and CEO David D. Halbert. Caris Life Sciences is an Irving, Texas-based provider of molecular science focused on precision medicine through molecular profiling of DNA, RNA and proteins. The company advances a suite of offerings including Caris Molecular Intelligence®, the ADAPT Biotargeting System™, and the DEAN™ AI analytics engine that together support its Next Generation Profiling™. Next Generation Profiling™ aims to analyze the whole exome, whole transcriptome and complete cancer proteome and couple that molecular data with mature clinical outcomes to deliver more precise treatment recommendations. Caris offers services throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and other international markets. Led by Chairman and CEO David D. Halbert, the company plans to continue development of Next Generation Profiling™ and expand commercial, clinical and R&D laboratory capacity. In January 2018 it raised $150M in funding provided as senior secured debt and convertible notes to support development and other strategic initiatives.

Led · Series B · Jun 2015

Harvest Exchange is a Houston, Texas-based investment management marketplace platform that connects investment firms and research providers with accredited and qualified investment product buyers. Led by CEO Peter Hans, the platform offers a direct SEC/FINRA-compliant way for providers to enhance their branding through content marketing to a targeted community. Since launching in 4Q13, more than 125,000 investors have signed up to access over 75,000 unique investment perspectives from over 5,000 firms managing in excess of $5 trillion in assets. The site receives up to 1,500 new macro thoughts, investment presentations and white papers per week. The company raised $5M in a Series B round and intends to use the funds to improve discovery and marketplace features across both web and mobile.

Led · Seed · Oct 2014

Harvest operates a centralized, transparent marketplace that lets hedge funds, mutual funds, research analysts, financial advisors and other sophisticated investors share investment ideas and benchmark against peers. The platform includes virtual long/short portfolios, watch-lists, and a virtual million-dollar hedge fund for educational and competitive trading. Harvest emphasizes security and SEC and FINRA compliance, and provides firms control to amplify brand awareness and market their investment approaches. The product is available to professionals and non-professionals on any device, with features to verify and distinguish professional contributors. Since its soft launch in December, more than 2,000 firms have contributed over 40,000 investment-related posts to the site. The company was co-founded by Peter Hans, Andrew Parmentier, and Mike Perrone.

Participated · Equity · Nov 2011

DFINE builds devices on an extensible radiofrequency (RF) platform to treat vertebral pathologies, including vertebral augmentation and tumor ablation. Its products include the StabiliT Vertebral Augmentation System with StabiliT ER2 Bone Cement and the STAR™ Ablation System, which received FDA 510(k) clearance. The STAR system is slated to be commercially available later this year. The company plans to use new funding to launch STAR, initiate clinical studies to build supporting evidence, and run clinical marketing initiatives to support uptake. DFINE will also allocate capital to other pipeline projects and to expand its sales organization. The company is privately held and based in San Jose, Calif. DFine is a San Jose, California–based developer of minimally invasive solutions for treating vertebral pathologies. Its core product is the StabiliT® Vertebral Augmentation System, a Radio Frequency (RF) Kyphoplasty technology aimed at stabilizing vertebral fractures, relieving pain and improving patient quality of life. The company has other products in the pipeline. DFine recently closed a $36.2 million equity financing round to support its commercialization efforts. In conjunction with the financing, Josh Baltzell of Split Rock and Jonathan Silverstein of OrbiMed will join DFine's board of directors. The new capital is intended to further support commercialization of the StabiliT system and other promising products. DFine develops the StabiliT Vertebral Augmentation System, a device that injects bone cement to heal fissures in patients' spinal columns. The company is focused on further developing and commercializing that system. DFine raised $35 million in a fourth round of funding to support those efforts. The original target for the round was $30 million, which was reached in October. DFine has previously raised $18 million in earlier investment rounds. The company is based in San Jose, Calif.

Participated · Series E · Aug 2010

Complete Genomics is a Mountain View, CA-based life sciences company that has developed and commercialized an innovative DNA sequencing platform. Its platform combines the company’s proprietary human genome sequencing technology with advanced informatics and data management software. The company offers the platform as an end-to-end, outsourced service that provides customers with data immediately ready to be used for genome-based research. Financially, Complete Genomics raised $39M in a Series E funding round. The Series E was led by new investor Sands Capital with participation from Essex Woodlands, OVP Venture Partners, Prospect Venture Partners, OrbiMed Advisors, Highland Capital Management and Enterprise Partners. Complete Genomics offers accelerated, lower-cost whole-genome sequencing, saying it can sequence an individual’s genome in only a few days for about $5,000. The company plans to use the new funding to build a large-scale sequencing facility slated to open by the beginning of 2010. At that center it aims to sequence 10,000 human genomes in the following year. Complete Genomics will initially sell to pharmaceutical companies, laboratories and other commercial customers rather than targeting the consumer market. If it achieves the lower price point—down from typical costs of $100,000–$350,000—it could compete with firms such as 23andMe, Navigenics and deCODE. Financially, the company raised $45 million in this fourth round and has $90 million in total funding to date.