Participated · Series B · Jun 2013

evocatal develops and produces enzymes and fine chemicals, supplying biocatalysts used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, chemical intermediates and in the manufacture and refinement of consumer goods such as textiles, adhesives, detergents and cosmetics. Led by CEO Dr. Thorsten Eggert, the company is based in Düsseldorf, Germany. In June 2013 evocatal closed a €3.5m Series B funding round. The company intends to use the funds to extend its technology platform and broaden its product portfolio. Investors in the round included existing backers Roland Oetker, High‑Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), Sirius Seedfonds Düsseldorf (SSFD) and business angel Prof. Riesner, alongside new investors Nrw.Bank and Lanxess. The firm previously raised €2m in growth financing in 2010. evocatal specialises in developing new enzymes and enzyme-based chemical processes, including a portfolio of proprietary biocatalysts (evozymes®). The company has commercialized a fluorescent protein for anaerobic applications used in biotechnological R&D. It also develops novel expression and secretion systems for enzyme production and innovative screening methods. The recent financing is intended to support the development of new products. The company serves the pharmaceutical and fine-chemical sectors with low-molecular-weight compound synthesis expertise. evocatal was founded in 2006 and is based in the Life Science Center of Düsseldorf.

Participated · Series C · Feb 2012

BioAmber has developed a proprietary technology platform that combines industrial biotechnology, an innovative purification process and chemical catalysis to convert renewable feedstocks into commercial chemicals. Its products include bio-succinic acid and derivatives intended for use in plastics, food additives and personal care products. The company completed a $30M Series C financing to support its growth and commercialization. BioAmber is collaborating with LANXESS to develop renewable, phthalate-free succinic-based plasticizers and expected to begin sampling those plasticizers in 2012. The two companies are also working together on establishing a world-scale bio-succinic acid manufacturing facility in Sarnia, Ontario, where LANXESS will provide the site, utilities and services. The company is led by CEO Jean-Francois Huc and has added LANXESS’ Jorge Nogueira to its board as part of the investment and collaboration. BioAmber Inc. is described in the article as a clean‑technology company whose technologies involve chemical engineering, catalysts, yeasts and bacteria. The company operates in the renewable chemistry/clean tech sector. On April 15, 2011 BioAmber closed a $45 million growth equity financing that was announced May 4, 2011. The transaction was led by NAXOS Capital Partners, a Luxembourg‑based private equity firm focused on renewable chemistry and energy. Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP (JMBM) represented NAXOS as the lead investor; attorneys on the deal included David B. Stern, Robert Steinberg, Rod Berman and Craig Levine. JMBM noted the deal presented cross‑border and intellectual property issues, reflecting the technical and IP‑intensive nature of BioAmber's technologies. DNP Green Technology is a late-stage bio-materials company preparing to commercialize bio-based succinic acid. The company will begin selling succinic acid in 2009 through its Bioamber joint venture with ARD. Bioamber’s plant was built at a cost of $27m and will produce bio-based succinic acid at commercial scale. The plant’s initial annual production capacity is 5,000,000 lbs. DNP Green recently completed a $12m equity funding round to support its operations and commercialization. The company maintains offices in Princeton, N.J., and Montreal and has a joint venture with ARD in Pomacle, France.