Participated · Series F · Dec 2017

Atox Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Ness Ziona, Israel and Chapel Hill, NC, developing novel therapies for critically ill patients. The company is led by CEO Dan Teleman and is developing Reltecimod (AB103), a peptide that binds the CD28 co-stimulatory receptor to restore the host immune response to severe infections. Reltecimod is currently being studied in ACCUTE, a Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections (NSTI). Atox Bio plans to advance Reltecimod into Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and intends to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study in that indication during 2018. Reltecimod has received Orphan Drug status from the FDA and EMA and holds Fast Track designation. The company raised $30M in financing to support these clinical programs. Atox Bio, based in Ness Ziona, Israel, develops immunomodulatory therapeutics for severe infections, notably AB103 for necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI). AB103 is a short peptide licensed from Yissum, discovered by Prof. Raymond Kaempfer and Dr. Gila Arad, that binds the CD28 dimer interface to modulate the host inflammatory response without inhibiting it. This host-targeting approach aims to avoid rapid drug resistance and provide broad-spectrum activity independent of pathogen type. AB103 completed a Phase 2 trial showing faster resolution of organ dysfunction, fewer ICU days, reduced need for assisted ventilation, and fewer surgical debridements. The product has FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations and a positive opinion from the EMA’s COMP. The company recently secured financing to advance AB103 into late-stage clinical development beginning in the second half of 2015. Atox Bio is developing AB103, a rationally designed short peptide that acts as a CD28 modulator to regulate the host inflammatory response. AB103 is in Phase 2 clinical trials at seven leading U.S. surgical trauma centers for necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI). The FDA granted AB103 orphan drug designation in October 2011. The company raised $3.25 million in an initial closing and said proceeds will be used to advance the Phase 2 study and to expand into new therapeutic categories. A second closing was planned for early 2012. Atox Bio will be included as a portfolio company of Integra Holdings, a holding company formed by Yissum.

Participated · Equity · Sep 2014

Avraham Pharmaceuticals develops ladostigil, a multifunctional drug candidate licensed from Yissum and the Technion, currently in a Phase 2b clinical trial for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The on-going Phase 2b trial is a three‑year, multicenter, randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled study of 210 patients across 16 centers in Germany, Austria and Israel; interim results showed no safety issues and positive trends on MRI brain‑volume loss, immune markers and cognitive parameters. The company will use the newly invested capital to advance the Phase 2b study and continue enrollment and follow‑up. Management has begun discussions with potential licensing partners based on encouraging interim analyses; a further interim analysis and final readout are expected in 3Q15 and 3Q16 respectively. Financially, the company announced an additional $4.5 million investment in the current round and noted that Yissum and Integra Holdings will now hold 46% of Avraham’s shares. Founded in 2010 and based in Yavne, Israel, Avraham lists Yissum, Pontifax, Clal Biotechnology, Integra Holdings and the Technion Research and Development Foundation among its investors. Avraham Pharmaceuticals develops ladostigil, a multi‑functional drug candidate licensed from Yissum and the Technion and designed to target mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer's disease. The company is conducting a 36‑month, multicentre, randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled Phase II study; 150 of 200 patients have been recruited across 16 centers in Germany, Austria and Israel, with an interim analysis expected in the first half of 2014. Ladostigil has shown neuroprotective activity in preclinical models and was reported as safe and well tolerated in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. The company will use newly raised capital to pursue advanced product development for ladostigil and to continue the ongoing Phase II program. Avraham was founded in 2010 and is based in Yavne, Israel. Investors and scientific advisors include Yissum, Pontifax, Clal Biotechnology Industries, Integra Holdings and the Technion Research and Development Foundation, and the founding scientists from the Hebrew University and the Technion serve as advisors. Avraham Pharmaceuticals is developing ladostigil, a novel cholinesterase and brain‑selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor being pursued for Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and other neurodegenerative disorders. The company holds an exclusive license to ladostigil from Yissum and the Technion Research and Development Foundation. Ladostigil has been shown to be safe and well tolerated in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials and has potential symptomatic and disease‑modifying properties. Avraham is using new capital to advance two Phase II programs in parallel: an ongoing double‑blind, placebo‑controlled Phase II trial in Alzheimer’s disease conducted at 20 sites in five European countries, and a planned 36‑month, multi‑center randomized double‑blind placebo‑controlled study in MCI. The MCI study is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2012. The company emphasizes neuroprotective activity and potential to address behavioral and psychological symptoms as part of its development strategy.