Participated · Equity · Aug 2023

CG Oncology is an oncolytic immunotherapy company focused on developing bladder-saving therapeutics for patients with urologic cancer and is based in Irvine, Calif. Its lead asset, cretostimogene grenadenorepvec, is an intravesically delivered oncolytic immunotherapy in a Phase 3 trial for BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Cretostimogene grenadenorepvec is also in a Phase 2 study in combination with pembrolizumab for the same indication and is being evaluated with nivolumab in other bladder cancer types. The company reports that the asset has shown clear signals of activity as a single agent and in combination. CG Oncology says it aims to advance its clinical programs toward FDA approval, emphasizing potential to address resistance mechanisms to approved immunotherapies and improve outcomes for bladder cancer patients. The recently announced financing will support continued development and regulatory advancement of its lead programs. CG Oncology develops oncolytic immunotherapies focused on urologic cancers, with an emphasis on bladder‑sparing approaches. Its lead candidate, CG0070, is an intravesically delivered oncolytic agent in a Phase 3 BOND3 monotherapy trial for BCG‑unresponsive NMIBC and a fully enrolled Phase 2 CORE1 combination study with pembrolizumab. The company has a clinical collaboration with Merck/MSD to evaluate the CG0070‑pembrolizumab combination. Interim Phase 2 data presented at SITC 2022 showed strong anti‑tumor activity and tolerability for the combination. CG0070 has been administered to over 200 patients and has demonstrated potential best‑in‑class efficacy and safety in monotherapy and strong response rates with checkpoint inhibitors. CG Oncology plans to use the new proceeds to advance its lead bladder cancer programs toward FDA approval and to expand development into first‑line BCG‑naïve intermediate‑risk NMIBC. The company has secured more than $200 million in total funding to date following the Series E close. CG Oncology, based in Irvine, Calif., is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation oncolytic immunotherapies. Its lead candidate, CG0070, is a selective oncolytic immunotherapy that completed a Phase 2 trial for high-grade NMIBC after BCG failure. The company is advancing multiple late-stage programs including a global Phase 3 trial (BOND3) of CG0070 monotherapy and a Phase 2 combination trial (CORE1) with pembrolizumab in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. A Phase 1b study (CORE2) is also ongoing combining CG0070 with nivolumab as a neoadjuvant therapy for MIBC in cisplatin-ineligible patients. Management says the lead monotherapy program is advancing to a BLA. The company recently closed financing to support these clinical development programs. Cold Genesys is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing oncolytic immunotherapies, with lead candidate CG0070 targeting non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). CG0070 completed a Phase 2 single-arm, open-label, multicenter study (BOND2) and has demonstrated clinical safety and efficacy in over 100 patients to date for NMIBC. The company is also exploring CG0070 in combination with immune checkpoint modulators across different solid tumors and has a partnership with Merck to evaluate pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) plus CG0070 in a Phase 2 study. Cold Genesys recently closed a $22 million Series C preferred stock financing to accelerate its ongoing clinical programs and further advance CG0070. The round was led by ORI Healthcare Fund with participation from Perseverance Capital Management, reflecting investor confidence in the company's platform and leadership. The company is headquartered in Santa Ana, California. Cold Genesys is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focused on developing oncolytic immunotherapies, principally CG0070. CG0070 is an investigational oncolytic immunotherapy based on a modified common cold virus backbone that contains a cancer-specific promoter and a GM-CSF transgene and is designed to selectively replicate in tumors and elicit an immune response. The agent is intended to lyse tumor cells and induce immunogenic cell death, releasing tumor-derived antigens and GM-CSF to stimulate a systemic anti-tumor immune response. CG0070 is being evaluated in a pivotal Phase II single-arm, open-label BOND II study enrolling 122 high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients who have failed BCG therapy and refused cystectomy. Cold Genesys plans to use financing proceeds to develop CG0070 in combination with immune checkpoint modulators across multiple Phase I/II studies for different solid tumor indications. The company acquired exclusive worldwide rights to CG0070 from BioSante Pharmaceuticals in 2010. The recent financing will support the pivotal trial and the company's combination-development programs.

Participated · Series C · Apr 2019

Poseida Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on creating cell and gene therapeutics with curative potential. The company employs proprietary gene engineering platform technologies, including a non-viral piggyBac DNA Modification System, the Cas-CLOVER site-specific gene editing system, and nanoparticle- and AAV-based gene delivery technologies. Its pipeline includes both allogeneic and autologous CAR-T product candidates targeting hematological and solid tumor oncology indications, as well as liver-directed gene therapy programs for orphan genetic diseases. Led by CEO Eric Ostertag, M.D., Ph.D., Poseida is advancing a broad portfolio of product candidates across multiple indications. The company intends to use recently raised funds to continue to expand its development efforts. Poseida is a clinical-stage biotechnology company led by CEO Eric Ostertag, M.D., Ph.D., developing a wholly owned pipeline of autologous and allogeneic CAR-T product candidates and gene therapies for orphan genetic diseases. The company has assembled a suite of gene editing technologies, including the piggyBac® DNA Modification System, Cas-CLOVER™, TAL-CLOVER™ site-specific nucleases and Footprint-Free® Gene Editing. Its lead programs include autologous P-BCMA-101 (Phase 2 registrational trial enrolling, initial dosing expected H1 2019) and autologous P-PSMA-101 (IND filing anticipated H2 2019). Poseida is also developing an allogeneic CAR-T, P-BCMA-ALLO1 (IND anticipated late 2019 or early 2020), and a late-stage preclinical solid-tumor candidate, P-MUC1C-101 (IND anticipated 2020). The company plans to broadly advance its current CAR-T programs and its emerging pipeline programs. Financially, Poseida completed a substantial Series C financing to support these development plans. Poseida Therapeutics is a San Diego-based company translating gene engineering technologies into cell therapies. The company develops autologous and allogeneic CAR-T immunotherapies and gene therapies for orphan diseases. Its suite of gene engineering technologies includes the piggyBac DNA Modification System, TAL-CLOVER and Cas-CLOVER site-specific nucleases, and Footprint-Free Gene Editing (FFGE). Lead programs include P-BCMA-101 (Phase 1 for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma), P-PSMA-101 (preclinical for prostate cancer), and P-BCMA-ALLO1 (an allogeneic "universal donor" CAR-T for multiple myeloma). Poseida is led by CEO Eric Ostertag, M.D., Ph.D. The company will use recent financing to further advance its pipeline of CAR-T and gene therapies. Poseida Therapeutics focuses on developing novel human therapeutics using its proprietary genome engineering platforms, including piggyBac, XTNT TALEN, NextGEN CRISPR nucleases, and Footprint-Free Gene Editing. The company is advancing gene therapies for orphan liver diseases and autologous CAR-T therapies for cancer, with lead candidates targeting Progressive Familial Intraheptatic Cholestasis 3 and multiple myeloma. Poseida also has an alliance with Janssen Biotech to develop allogeneic CAR-T therapies for various cancers. Management states the technologies could enable single-treatment cures and the company emphasizes utility across multiple therapeutic areas. The company is privately held and based in La Jolla, California. No operating metrics (revenue/users) are disclosed in the article.

Participated · Equity · Feb 2017

Xenex designs and manufactures the LightStrike Germ‑Zapping Robots, a pulsed xenon Full Spectrum UV room disinfection system that destroys viruses, bacteria and spores including C.diff, MRSA and CRE. The robots run four‑ to five‑minute cycles and, according to Xenex customers, can disinfect roughly 30–62 hospital rooms per day. Outcome studies published in peer‑reviewed journals and hospital reports cited by the company show 50–100% decreases in C.diff, MRSA and surgical site infection rates when its devices are used. Approximately 400 hospitals, Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense facilities across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa and Japan use Xenex robots, and the devices are also deployed in skilled nursing facilities, ambulatory surgery centers and long‑term acute care facilities. The company notes its devices contain no toxic mercury and are differentiated by the use of xenon as the UV source. Xenex plans to use new capital to grow its sales force, advance product development, expand scientific research and pursue international expansion. Xenex produces a patented pulsed‑xenon Full Spectrum UV room disinfection system (the Xenex Germ‑Zapping Robot) designed for quick, chemical‑free disinfection of patient rooms and other hospital areas. The robot runs five‑minute cycles and, according to customers, can disinfect 30–62 hospital rooms per day. More than 250 hospitals, Veterans Affairs and DoD facilities, and other care sites are using Xenex robots, and six peer‑reviewed studies have confirmed the technology's efficacy, including three showing reductions in C.diff, MRSA and other MDRO infections. Concern over outbreaks (including Ebola) and CMS penalties for hospital‑acquired infections have heightened demand for the product. The company announced it secured $25 million in new funding and plans to use the capital for product development, international expansion and increasing its U.S. sales force. Xenex positions its technology as a faster, mercury‑free alternative to other disinfection methods and aims to expand adoption in healthcare settings worldwide. Xenex Disinfection Services develops a portable pulsed xenon ultraviolet (UV) room disinfection system for healthcare facilities. Its device uses pulsed xenon UV light to destroy viruses, bacteria, mold, fungus and bacterial spores, with a five-minute disinfection cycle and portability that lets environmental services staff operate without disrupting hospital operations or using chemicals. The system contains no mercury or hydrogen peroxide and is described as a green automated room disinfection technology. Nearly 200 hospitals and Veterans Affairs facilities in the U.S. use the Xenex system, and peer-reviewed studies—including work at MD Anderson—have shown reductions in C. diff, VRE and MRSA infections (for example, a 53% C. diff reduction at Cooley Dickinson and a 56% MRSA reduction at Cone Health). Xenex recently unveiled a next-generation product design with user enhancements and says its technology is about 20 times more effective than standard chemical cleaning. The company plans to use new funding for product development, international expansion, and increasing its U.S. sales force.

Participated · Series C · Nov 2016

Kymab develops a deep pipeline of novel antibody-based therapies generated by its proprietary IntelliSelect® platforms. Its IntelliSelect suite combines transgenic mouse strains (including the Darwin platform) with a human antibody screening platform that uses single-cell sequencing, genomics and proprietary bioinformatic algorithms to prioritize candidate antibodies. The platforms are designed to rapidly generate fully human monoclonal antibodies with desirable drug-like properties. Kymab announced a strategic partnership with LifeArc that grants LifeArc access to these technologies for antibody discovery. As part of the agreement LifeArc committed a US$30 million equity investment (initial US$10 million with a further US$20 million committed). Under the deal Kymab will receive a percentage of revenues that LifeArc generates from any products discovered and commercialized using IntelliSelect. The partnership is intended to accelerate the translation of antibody discoveries into new medicinal products. Kymab Group Limited is a Cambridge, UK–based monoclonal antibody biopharmaceutical group focused on discovery and development of fully human monoclonal antibody drugs using its proprietary Kymouse™ antibody platform. The company’s core approach is generating human antibodies for therapeutic and vaccine development. Kymab plans to accelerate development of novel vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases, including HIV, supported by recent grant funding. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded a $9m R&D grant payable over three years to support these efforts and will hold rights to develop and distribute resulting products in low-income countries. Kymab will retain commercialisation rights in developed countries and has collaborated with the Foundation since 2014 on programs in malaria, HIV and typhoid. The company has raised over US$220m of equity financing, including a $100m Series C, and the Gates Foundation has also invested $30m across its Series B and Series C rounds. Kymab is a Cambridge, UK–based company that develops fully humanized antibodies using its proprietary Kymouse™ antibody platform. Kymouse contains the entire repertoire of human antibodies and is designed to discover and naturally mature antibodies that are difficult to develop, reducing the need for time-consuming modifications. The company currently has 12 pre-clinical programs with a strong focus on immuno-oncology and additional programs in hematology, autoimmune disease and infectious disease. Kymab says its scientific efforts are led by teams of world-class scientists and industry veterans and that it will continue to build a strong pipeline of antibody candidates. The company completed a US$100 million Series C financing led by ORI Healthcare Fund. Kymab, founded in 2009 and led by Chairman and interim CEO David Chiswell, develops fully human monoclonal antibodies using its Kymouse™ transgenic antibody platform. The company is based in Cambridge, UK, and applies the platform to internal discovery programs and partnered programs with pharmaceutical companies such as Novo Nordisk. Kymab intends to use recent funding to maximize the potential of the Kymouse platform and advance its proprietary therapeutic pipeline in areas of significant unmet medical need. The company has been building its pipeline and corporate capabilities while completing a major Series B financing. No operating metrics such as revenue or user counts were disclosed in the article. Kymab is a Cambridge, UK–based monoclonal antibody biopharmaceutical company using the Kymouse transgenic human antibody platform to discover and develop fully human monoclonal antibody drugs. Led by Chairman Dr David Chiswell and CEO Dr Christian Grøndahl, the company is advancing a proprietary pipeline of therapeutic human monoclonal antibodies. It raised $40M in Series B financing from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust, which the company intends to use to advance its Kymouse platform and pipeline. Kymab will collaborate with the Gates Foundation and its partners on vaccine antigen discovery research, with an initial focus on malaria and HIV. To complement internal programs the company will pursue a limited number of strategic collaborations to identify and develop therapeutic antibodies across diseases. Kymab has launched Kymab Access, a program that enables academic researchers to pursue discovery and development of novel human monoclonal antibody therapeutics and vaccines by partnering with Kymab and its antibody technology.

Participated · Equity · Jul 2015

Immunocore leverages its proprietary ImmTAX platform to develop T cell receptor (TCR) bispecific immunotherapies across oncology, infectious disease and autoimmune indications. The company’s pipeline includes five clinical-stage programs in oncology and infectious disease, advanced preclinical autoimmune programs and multiple earlier preclinical programs. Its most advanced candidate, tebentafusp (IMCgp100), has shown monotherapy activity in a Phase 2 trial in metastatic uveal melanoma and is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 3 study. Immunocore collaborates with partners including Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Led by CEO Bahija Jallal, the company is based in Milton Park, Oxfordshire, U.K., and also has offices in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania and Rockville, Maryland. Proceeds from recent financings will be used to expand and accelerate its clinical-stage pipeline and to support potential commercial launch activities for tebentafusp. Immunocore is a clinical-stage T cell receptor biotechnology company developing and commercializing ImmTAX™ (Immune mobilising monoclonal TCRs) medicines for cancer, infection and autoimmune disease. Its lead program, tebentafusp (IMCgp100), is in pivotal clinical studies as a potential treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma. The oncology pipeline includes programs targeting MAGE-A4 (in collaboration with Genentech) and NYESO-1 (in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline), and the company plans to advance two wholly owned clinical-stage programs for chronic Hepatitis B and PRAME. Immunocore also intends to accelerate development of its platform to treat autoimmunity, including work on type 1 diabetes in collaboration with the JDRF T1D Fund. Collaboration partners named in the articles include Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The company is led by CEO Bahija Jallal, Ph.D., and has offices in Milton Park, Oxfordshire, UK and in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania and Rockville, Maryland in the US. Immunocore is described in the article as a British (UK) biotech company. The piece reports that Immunocore has secured a $40M investment from the Gates Foundation. It also says the company is in the final stages of assembling another "mega-raise." The article does not disclose the structure or instrument of the $40M investment. No operating metrics, past financing details, or founding year are provided in the source. Additional specifics in the original article are behind a paywall. Immunocore develops an immuno-oncology platform called ImmTACs (Immune mobilising mTCR Against Cancer), a suite of TCR-based biologic drugs intended to treat a broad range of solid tumours as monotherapies or in combination. The company plans to use the new financing to further accelerate its ImmTAC pipeline, with particular focus on advancing its lead proprietary program IMCgp100, which produced positive Phase I/IIa trial data in April 2015 in metastatic cutaneous and ocular melanoma. Immunocore also delivers on partnerships with Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline and MedImmune (the biologics division of AstraZeneca) while progressing its internal programs. Founded in 2008 out of Oxford University and led by CEO Dr. Eliot Forster, the company is based in Oxon, UK and has more than 155 staff. The announcement frames the financing as supporting both pipeline advancement and existing collaborations.