Participated · Series A · Feb 2023

Nanoflex Robotics develops an electromagnetically steered robotic platform for endovascular operations that navigates highly flexible guidewires through blood vessels. The company says its platform navigates blood vessels faster and more precisely than existing devices. It is headquartered in Opfikon. The newly awarded €12.5 million from the EIC (€10M risk capital, €2.5M grant) is intended to fund clinical validation for CE certification and the launch of the first commercial version of its system. The article does not provide revenue, user, or prior funding metrics.

Participated · Equity · Nov 2019

Peerbridge Health develops an advanced AI-driven ECG platform and a patented 3-lead, 2-channel wireless AECG patch called the Peerbridge Cor. The Cor is designed on Einthoven’s Triangle to mirror traditional 12-lead Holter placement and emphasizes superior recording fidelity, P-wave definition, and QRS morphology. The company combines the wearable hardware with proprietary algorithms and AI to detect and predict chronic illnesses such as heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes. Peerbridge plans to accelerate development and deployment of its remote diagnostic platform to help physicians identify potential and current health issues earlier, enabling earlier interventions and better outcomes. The company announced a $10 million funding round led by Mendota Venture Capital and HealthX Ventures to support that expansion. Leadership says the funding will help rapidly expand the platform and bring the technology to more patients and providers to improve care and reduce costs. Peerbridge Health develops Peerbridge Cor, a multi-channel wireless ECG patch that adheres to the chest for continuous monitoring. The device was cleared in 2017, can be worn up to seven days, and classifies 26 types of arrhythmia indications. Patients can manually transmit events via an app; all data pass through the company’s cloud network and algorithms before reaching providers and medical records. The company says the device can be reimbursed under common ECG tests and is approved under certain insurance codes. Peerbridge plans to use new funds to scale sales and operations and to advance strategic partnerships and M&A activity in 2020. It is also pursuing expanded reimbursement qualifications for its monitoring platform to grow adoption. Peerbridge Health is developing a medical-grade wearable sensor and an analytics platform to monitor vital signs. It uses sensors to track vital signs and aggregates and analyzes that data for medical professionals, athletes and sports coaches. The company is pursuing FDA 510(k) clearance for its wearable device. According to a Form D filing, Peerbridge has raised $1 million, and the filing suggests that sum could be the first portion of a larger raise potentially up to $50 million. Calls to the company to confirm the larger target were not returned. As noted in the article, industry observers warn adoption is early-stage; Mercom Capital Group Cofounder and CEO Raj Prabhu said, "the market is still in very early stages, and adoption of these wearables by caregivers to continuously monitor and treat patients is still far away."

Participated · Series A · Sep 2018

System1 Biosciences develops neurotherapeutics by applying phenotypic screening to patient-derived stem cell lines to produce three-dimensional cerebral organoids. The company uses robotic automation to scale organoid production and collect high-content, multi-modal biological datasets over months. Advanced data analysis of those datasets yields systems-level characterizations called “deep phenotypes,” which System1 exploits to identify novel therapeutic targets and drug candidates. Its discovery approach is focused on neurological and psychiatric disorders, and the company intends to advance programs in epilepsy, autism, and schizophrenia. Leadership includes co‑founders Sean Escola, M.D., Ph.D. (CEO) and Saul Kato, Ph.D. The company completed a $25M Series A financing to fund its drug discovery programs.

Participated · Equity · Oct 2016

Iproteos is a biotech spin-off based at the Parc Cientific de Barcelona that is advancing a first-in-class drug for Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia (CIAS) using its proprietary IPROTech platform. The company was created in 2011 by Teresa Tarragó and Ernest Giralt following technology transfer from IRB Barcelona and the University of Barcelona Biotech. Iproteos focuses on therapeutic peptides as the basis for its lead compound. The firm plans to complete regulatory preclinical phases and then carry out human clinical trials, starting with Phase I. The recently closed funding will be used to finish preclinical work and enable the start of human Phase I trials. No operating metrics were reported in the article.

Participated · Series C · May 2016

Aleva Neurotherapeutics' flagship product is the directSTIM deep brain stimulation (DBS) system, which incorporates first-in-class directional electrode technology designed to provide more precise, optimized stimulation and potentially reduce side effects. The company was awarded the CE Mark for directSTIM and will begin direct sales through a post-market clinical follow-up study in select European neurological clinics. Aleva says it is the only emerging technology company awarded a CE Mark for DBS and has published pilot results supporting the potential of directional stimulation to improve surgical outcomes. The company has also formed a joint venture, Adept Neuro SA with Dixi Medical SAS, targeting regulatory approval for its core technology in epilepsy surgery. With European market entry secured, Aleva plans to drive efforts toward US market entry and the US FDA regulatory process. Financially, Aleva announced an $8 million first closing of a Series E financing and has previously raised over $50 million from institutional and private investors. Aleva Neurotherapeutics is an EPFL spinoff developing implants for directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting Parkinson’s disease and Essential Tremor. Its core products are directSTIM, a complete directional DBS system for long-term therapy, and spiderSTIM, a solution for intra-surgical placement of DBS electrodes. The company says its devices aim to improve precision and efficiency while reducing side effects compared with current DBS approaches. Aleva reported successful results from its directSTN pilot study published in Brain, supporting the potential benefit of directional stimulation. Proceeds from the recent financing will be used to complete acquisition of a CE Mark for directSTIM and the company has completed a first closing while still accepting qualified investors for a limited time. Aleva also maintains a development agreement with Nuvectra to combine its directional lead technology with Nuvectra’s neurostimulation platform and a supply and manufacturing agreement with Integer. To date the company has raised USD 46 million from institutional and private investors. Aleva Neurotherapeutics develops next-generation neurostimulation technologies and devices for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) based on its proprietary microDBS™ technology. The company has developed two products: directSTIM™, a directional DBS system for long-term therapy in Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor, and spiderSTIM™, a solution for intra-surgical placement of DBS electrodes. Aleva intends to use the new funding to obtain the CE mark for directSTIM™ in 2017. The company has raised $42M to date. Leadership includes founder and CTO André Mercanzini, PhD, and Executive Chairman Oern Stuge, MD. Aleva is a spin-off from the EPFL Microsystems Laboratory in Lausanne. Aleva Neurotherapeutics is an EPFL spin-off developing next-generation neurostimulation technologies for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in major neurological indications such as Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. The company’s products are based on its proprietary microDBS technology and are designed to be more precise and efficient than current DBS approaches while causing fewer side effects. Aleva has developed two products: directSTIM, a complete directional DBS system for long-term therapy, and spiderSTIM, a solution for intra-surgical placement of DBS electrodes. The company reports it has raised EUR 14.5 million from private and institutional investors to advance its programs. Aleva says it has reached major milestones and is entering a crucial phase to advance and commercialize its directional DBS lead. The recent appointment of Philippe Dro to the Board is intended to accelerate Aleva’s commercial and business development activities so its products can reach the market for patients. Aleva Neurotherapeutics develops next-generation neurostimulation products based on its proprietary microDBS™ technology for target-specific deep brain stimulation. Its pipeline includes directSTIM™, an electrode compatible with existing DBS systems; spiderSTIM™, a full intra-surgical and long-term solution; and cortiSTIM™ for cortical stimulation. All products are designed to be compatible with existing DBS technologies and aim to reduce side effects, complications and costs associated with DBS therapy. The company says proceeds will advance its products through clinical development up to CE marking and accelerate pipeline development and partner discussions. Aleva is a spin-off from the EPFL Microsystems Laboratory of Prof. Philippe Renaud and was founded in 2010. Prior to this round the company had raised EUR 12.8 million from private and institutional investors.