Led · Equity · Nov 2025

Verrica Pharmaceuticals develops and commercializes treatments for skin diseases requiring medical intervention. Its lead product, YCANTH (VP-102, cantharidin), is the first and only healthcare-professional-administered therapy approved by the FDA for molluscum contagiosum in patients aged two years and older. YCANTH is also being studied for common warts, with a global Phase 3 program expected to begin U.S. enrollment before the end of 2025. Through a worldwide license with Lytix Biopharma, Verrica is developing VP-315 (ruxotemitide) for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other non-melanoma skin cancers, and it is preparing a Phase 3 program for the compound. Management believes both YCANTH in common warts and VP-315 could each address billion-dollar market opportunities. As of the end of the third quarter, the company held $21.1 million in cash. A newly announced $50 million private placement will retire its OrbiMed debt facility and, combined with existing cash and receivables, is expected to fund operations into mid-2027.

Participated · Series A · Oct 2024

Blue Earth Therapeutics is an Oxford, UK–based clinical-stage company developing next-generation targeted radiopharmaceuticals, with an emerging pipeline initially focused on prostate cancer. The company is advancing clinical-stage PSMA-targeted radioligand therapies and aims to innovate on current radiotherapeutic technologies. Blue Earth was incubated within the Bracco family of companies and leverages management expertise across radiopharmaceutical and oncology drug development. David Gauden serves as CEO and leads the company’s efforts to rapidly advance new targeted therapies for serious diseases. The company’s immediate plan, supported by the new financing, is to further advance its clinical programs. No operating metrics (revenue/users) were disclosed in the article.

Participated · Series B · Jan 2022

SalioGen Therapeutics, based in Cambridge, Mass., has developed a Gene Coding platform intended to turn on, turn off, or modify the function of any gene in the genome. The platform is applied through SalioGen’s Exact DNA Integration Technology (EDIT™) and uses mammal-derived genome engineering enzymes called Saliogase™ to integrate new DNA sequences of any length into defined genomic locations without viral vectors. The company positions Gene Coding to address limitations of current gene editing and viral vector–based gene therapies and to broaden the reach of genetic medicines. Management is led by CEO and chairman Ray Tabibiazar, M.D.; Craig Gordon, M.D., founder and CEO of GordonMD Global Investments, joined SalioGen’s board as part of the Series B. Proceeds from the financing are planned to build out the Gene Coding platform, expand the team, establish manufacturing and automation capabilities critical for Gene Coding, and accelerate advancement of preclinical programs. The company completed a $115M Series B financing in 2022. SalioGen Therapeutics is a privately held biotechnology company developing the Exact DNA Integration Technology (EDIT) platform, which is centered on a mammal-derived enzyme called saliogase. EDIT delivers an RNA encoding saliogase together with DNA cargo of any length via lipid nanoparticles to enable precise integration at defined genomic locations without homologous recombination. The company positions the platform as broadly applicable with manufacturing advantages and the potential to enable durable, safe, and affordable non-viral gene therapies. SalioGen’s initial therapeutic focus includes lead programs in familial hypercholesterolemia and inherited macular degeneration, and the company also notes potential applications in cell therapy and biologics manufacturing. The company has assembled a leadership team with experience in gene therapy, medical genetics, lipid nanoparticles, and cell therapy and has strengthened its board of directors and scientific advisory board. SalioGen closed a $20 million Series A to fund preclinical validation of the EDIT platform and its lead programs.

Participated · Series B · Sep 2021

Lexeo Therapeutics is a genetic medicine company focused on transforming treatment for cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer's. The company is advancing genetic-medicine clinical programs and intends to use new capital to fund those programs. Lexeo closed a $95M private placement, selling shares at $15.13 per share, and entered into a registration rights agreement. Proceeds are earmarked for clinical programs and general corporate purposes and are expected to extend the company's runway into 2027. The financing brings Lexeo's total capital raised to $180M. Lexeo was founded in 2018, is based in New York, and has between 11 and 50 employees. LEXEO Therapeutics is a New York City–based, clinical-stage gene therapy company advancing AAV-based gene therapy candidates for genetically defined cardiovascular diseases and a genetically defined subgroup of Alzheimer’s disease. The company’s pipeline targets both larger-rare and more prevalent patient populations and claims potential to address up to one million patients in the United States across diverse cardiomyopathies. LEXEO’s foundational science stems from partnerships and exclusive licenses with Weill Cornell Medicine and the University of California, San Diego. The company is led by experienced genetic-medicine and rare-disease drug-development executives and is advancing a deep and diverse portfolio of candidates. LEXEO is positioning its programs for further development and collaboration to move candidates through clinical development and toward commercialization. LEXEO Therapeutics is a fully integrated clinical-stage company advancing adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapies for genetic cardiovascular conditions and central nervous system diseases. Its pipeline includes lead programs LX2006 (IV gene therapy for cardiomyopathy associated with Friedreich’s ataxia), LX1004 (CNS-administered therapy for CLN2 Batten disease), and LX1001 (CNS-administered therapy for APOE4-associated Alzheimer’s disease). The company also recently acquired cardiac gene therapy programs and is developing additional preclinical programs focused on the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease (LX1020 and LX1021). LEXEO reports having more than 15 AAV-mediated gene therapy programs in research and development. Proceeds from its recent financing will support continued preclinical pipeline expansion and advancement of its lead programs through clinical development toward meaningful data catalysts. The company was founded on a gene therapy research legacy at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Genetic Medicine. LEXEO Therapeutics is a New York City–based, fully integrated clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated treatments. The company's core pipeline includes three clinical-stage programs: LX2006 (IV AAV frataxin therapy for cardiomyopathy in Friedreich’s ataxia; Phase 1 start planned for 2021), LX1004 (CNS AAV CLN2 therapy; Phase 1/2 completed) and LX1001 (CNS AAV APOE2 therapy for APOE4 homozygotes; Phase 1 ongoing). Clinical data published for LX1004 in Science Translational Medicine showed a single administration slowed CLN2 disease progression and was well tolerated over an 18-month study period. LEXEO’s preclinical portfolio spans monogenic, hereditary and acquired diseases and includes up to 15 additional potential AAV programs primarily developed at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Genetic Medicine. The company intends to advance clinical programs through to commercialization while maintaining an ongoing research collaboration with Weill Cornell. LEXEO launched with an $85 million Series A to advance its lead investigational programs and is headquartered at the Alexandria Center for Life Science in New York City.

Led · Series C · Aug 2021

Xalud Therapeutics develops a non-viral plasmid DNA gene therapy platform that harnesses interleukin-10 (IL-10) to modulate immune responses and treat pathologic inflammation. Its lead candidate, XT-150, is a locally injectable plasmid DNA therapy expressing IL-10v, a proprietary long-acting modified IL-10 with enhanced durability. XT-150 is being evaluated in a Phase 2b study for moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis knee pain and a Phase 1/2a study for peripheral neuropathic pain; a study for facet joint syndrome is expected to be initiated by year-end. The company says these studies will serve as milestones toward potential approvals and will generate safety and efficacy data to guide future development. Additional indications are currently in the IND-enabling stage. Xalud announced an oversubscribed $30 million Series C to advance XT-150 through clinical development and expand its platform, and cited support from strategic advisors and investors.