Participated · Series A · Nov 2025

Onchilles Pharma is pioneering a new class of cancer drugs that exploit the ELANE pathway, a vulnerability tied to elevated histone H1 levels in many tumors. Its lead asset, N17350 (NEU-001), is a tumor-directed biologic shown in preclinical studies to induce rapid, selective tumor cell death and CD8+ T-cell activation across 30 cancer cell lines and 15 in-vivo models, including chemotherapy-resistant and immunologically “cold” tumors. The company has completed GMP manufacturing of more than 5,000 doses and plans to start first-in-human studies in Australia in early 2025, with U.S. enrollment expected mid-2026, aiming for clinical proof-of-concept in the second half of 2026. A second program, NEU-002, a systemic version of the therapy, is on track for development-candidate nomination in early 2026. The firm positions its ELANE-based drugs as next-generation cytotoxics that combine potent tumor killing with immune preservation and activation, potentially addressing a broad range of solid tumors. To date, Onchilles has raised $40 million in Series A financing, including the latest $25 million Series A1 tranche to fund clinical development of N17350.

Participated · Series B · Jun 2022

Mojia Biotech is a product-focused bio-manufacturing company led by Ansen Chiew that produces food ingredients and chemical materials using renewable carbon sources and green processes. The company has developed the Viridimin™ brand of Vitamin B5 and aims to commercialize it as an animal-feed additive. Its second targeted product line is the Aliphane™ series of biopolymer products, intended for coating and adhesive applications. Mojia plans to scale up manufacturing capacity for the Aliphane series while advancing its broader product pipeline. The company also intends to expand its global R&D capabilities to support commercialization and product development efforts.

Participated · Series B · Dec 2021

OncoMyx has built an immunotherapy platform that uses myxoma, a natural oncolytic virus, to deliver multiple cancer-killing payloads in a single therapeutic. The myxoma platform is engineerable as a large dsDNA poxvirus, inherently immuno-interactive, not pathogenic to humans, and amenable to IV and repeat dosing. Its multi-armed myxoma virus expresses different antitumor immunomodulatory proteins to modulate the tumor microenvironment and stimulate anti-tumor immunity. The company has generated preclinical safety and efficacy data across a broad range of models and plans to advance its lead candidate into clinical trials next year to assess IV dosing safety and efficacy. OncoMyx’s platform was developed from research in Dr. Grant McFadden’s lab and was exclusively licensed from Arizona State University. The company emphasizes combination potential with checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapies and has assembled an experienced immuno-oncology team to advance its pipeline. OncoMyx Therapeutics develops oncolytic immunotherapies using a proprietary myxoma virus (MYXV) platform. The MYXV platform was spun out from Arizona State University and is supported by over 30 peer-reviewed publications by ASU Professor Grant McFadden and collaborators. Preclinical studies in mice and testing on cancer patient samples from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale have shown encouraging immune responses against tumors. The company positions its MYXV approach as non-human-pathogen, inherently immuno-stimulatory, easily multi-armed, and amenable to systemic delivery to complement immune checkpoint blockade. OncoMyx plans to use its recent financing to advance development of its lead oncolytic virus therapeutic program for the treatment of various cancers. The company has assembled a team of OV experts including founder/CEO Steve Potts and research advisor Grant McFadden.

Participated · Series D · Mar 2021

Neurelis is a commercial-stage neuroscience company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics for epilepsy and orphan neurologic disorders. Its lead product, VALTOCO (diazepam nasal spray), was approved by the FDA in 2020 for acute treatment of seizure clusters in patients aged 6 years and older and was granted Orphan Drug Exclusivity. VALTOCO is a proprietary formulation using INTRAVAIL transmucosal absorption enhancement technology, and the FDA recognized its intranasal route as a clinically superior contribution to patient care compared with the previously approved rectal gel. Neurelis is also developing NRL-2 for intermittent use to control acute panic attacks, NRL-3 as a noninvasive acute therapy for status epilepticus, NRL-4 as a noninvasive rescue therapy for acute agitation in schizophrenia and bipolar I mania, and NRL-1049 (previously BA-1049), a preclinical ROCK inhibitor for cerebral cavernous malformations. The company has stated it will use financing to invest in VALTOCO's commercial growth, advance its internal pipeline, and potentially pursue external opportunities such as licensing. Neurelis is based in San Diego. Neurelis develops and commercializes noninvasive drug-delivery therapies for epilepsy and broader CNS indications, with a lead product VALTOCO® (diazepam nasal spray). The company intends to use its new financing to commercialize VALTOCO and to continue development and expansion of its neuroscience pipeline. VALTOCO was approved by the FDA on January 10, 2020 for acute treatment of seizure clusters in adults and pediatric patients 6 years and older. Neurelis is developing additional candidates including NRL-2 for acute panic attacks, NRL-3 for seizures progressing to status epilepticus, and NRL-4 for acute agitation in schizophrenia and bipolar I mania. The company’s technology platform includes three proprietary noninvasive delivery and stabilization technologies — Intravail®, ProTek® and Hydrogel™ — applicable to proteins, peptides, macromolecules and small molecules. Led by CEO Craig C. Chambliss and based in San Diego, CA, Neurelis recently completed a significant Series D financing. Neurelis, Inc. is a San Diego-based specialty pharmaceutical company that licenses, develops and commercializes product candidates for epilepsy and the broader central nervous system market. Its lead program is NRL-1, an intranasal diazepam being developed for pediatric, adolescent and adult patients who experience acute repetitive or cluster seizures. NRL-1 is in the final phase of clinical development and the company planned to submit an NDA in 2018. Neurelis will use newly raised funds to complete clinical trials for NRL-1, prepare the planned New Drug Application for submission to the U.S. FDA, and begin preparations for the product's commercial launch. The company is led by President and CEO Craig C. Chambliss. Neurelis is a San Diego-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of central nervous system disorders. Led by President and CEO Craig C. Chambliss, Neurelis is developing NRL-1, a proprietary intranasal diazepam formulation delivered via nasal spray. NRL-1 is being developed for the management of pediatric and adult patients who require intermittent use of diazepam to control acute repetitive seizure activity (cluster seizures). The program has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA. Neurelis closed a Series A financing led by LYZZ Capital and will use the funds to advance NRL-1 through the remaining clinical work and prepare an NDA submission to the FDA.

Participated · Series B · Feb 2021

Jumpcode Genomics, founded in 2016 and led by CEO Yaron Hakak, Ph.D., develops patented CRISPRclean technology to improve next-generation sequencing workflows. The CRISPRclean process is designed to integrate with standard NGS workflows and is compatible with most commercially available library preparation solutions. Its products are used by researchers across basic research, infectious disease, oncology and consumer genomics. The company announced a Series B financing in January 2021, reflecting a notable capital raise in its recent history. In conjunction with that round, Frank Witney joined Jumpcode’s board of directors.