• Leal Therapeutics

  Participated · Series A · Aug 2026

  Leal Therapeutics focuses on developing neuro-metabolic treatments for high-need central nervous system disorders and was launched in 2021. Its lead program, LTX-001, is a brain-penetrant oral GLS1 inhibitor that completed single and multiple ascending dose Phase 1 trials and has initiated a Phase 1b/2a trial in adults with schizophrenia with initial data expected by year-end. A second program, LTX-002, is an intrathecally delivered antisense oligonucleotide targeting SPTLC1 and is being evaluated in the NeurALS Phase 1/2 trial in adults with ALS. The company also is developing a next-generation CNS delivery platform using antibody-like shuttle technology to enable transport of peripherally administered therapeutics to the brain. Leal states it has capabilities to develop and produce both small molecule and nucleic acid CNS therapeutics. The recent Series A second close of $30 million, which added Eli Lilly to its investor syndicate, is intended to support clinical milestones for LTX-001 and additional dosing cohorts for LTX-002.

• Vortex Imaging

  Participated · Equity · May 2026

  Vortex Imaging is developing a compact ultrasound-based imaging system that uses pioneering computational image reconstruction technology and GPUs-on-Cloud to produce high-quality 3D volumetric images. The system is designed to provide volumetric visualization traditionally associated with CT and MRI while retaining ultrasound's portability, safety, and lack of ionizing radiation. Vortex aims to reduce operator dependency and produce standardized, reproducible volumetric datasets with a reduced learning curve. Its initial clinical focus is on urology and nephrology, with plans to expand into additional diagnostic and procedural domains. The company is pursuing FDA clearance and preparing for initial clinical deployment and commercialization. The press release lists operations in Sunnyvale, Calif. and Givatayim, Israel and notes recent board additions to support commercialization.

• Veradermics

  Participated · Series B · Dec 2024

  Veradermics is a late clinical-stage, dermatologist-founded biopharmaceutical company focused on first-in-class treatments for common dermatologic conditions. Its lead candidate, VDPHL01, is an extended-release, non-hormonal oral minoxidil tablet positioned to become the first FDA-approved oral therapy for pattern hair loss in both women and men. VDPHL01 is currently being evaluated in three Phase 3 trials after encouraging Phase 2 male data showed average hair count increases of 37.5 hairs/cm² at two months and 47.3 hairs/cm² at four months, with 90.5 % of participants reporting improved coverage and no serious adverse events. The formulation aims to sustain minoxidil exposure to follicles while avoiding cardiac risk–related concentration spikes seen in immediate-release versions. Proceeds from the recent financing will fund completion of Phase 3 registrational trials and a planned New Drug Application submission to the FDA. Beyond VDPHL01, Veradermics is building a pipeline of differentiated dermatology products that combine proven mechanisms with innovative delivery technologies to enhance efficacy, safety, and patient convenience.

• SciRhom

  Participated · Series A · Jul 2024

  SciRhom is a Munich-based biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary iRhom2-targeting therapies, primarily therapeutic antibodies. Its lead program, SR-878, has generated positive preclinical data in vitro and in established animal models of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease and has been advanced to a Phase 1‑ready stage. The company announced a CTA approval on June 12, 2024, enabling a first clinical study in Austria in the second half of 2024 to assess safety in healthy volunteers and obtain initial evidence of clinical activity. SciRhom intends to use the newly raised funds to accelerate and broaden the impact of its therapeutic strategy in autoimmune disorders. The Series A financing of EUR 63M will support progressing SR-878 into and through clinical development. The leadership team includes Dr. Jan Poth (CEO), Dr. Jens Ruhe (Managing Director and COO) and Dr. Matthias Schneider (CSO).

• Switch Therapeutics

  Participated · Series A · Mar 2023

  Switch Therapeutics is a South San Francisco–based, preclinical biotechnology company founded to advance a new class of RNA medicines that integrate nucleic acid nanotechnology with RNA interference. Its proprietary CASi (Conditionally Activated siRNA) platform combines properties of single- and double-stranded RNAs in one molecule to enable efficient self-delivery, high potency, long duration of knockdown, and cell-selective activation. CASi molecules use an siRNA structure with structural extensions that dock to a sensor developed by Switch, allowing the siRNA to be “switched on” only in selected cells. The company plans to use its initial financing to select and advance a development candidate for its lead program targeting a central nervous system disease and to recruit R&D and corporate talent. Switch also intends to explore expanding the CASi platform into additional indications through potential pharmaceutical collaborations. The technology stems from work by researchers affiliated with Caltech, Harvard Medical School and City of Hope, and the company is led by co-founder and CEO Dee Datta, Ph.D., with CTO Si-ping Han, Ph.D.

No current team members are available.