Participated · Series B · Dec 2019

Pipeline Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on precision neuroregeneration with programs addressing myelin restoration, synaptogenesis and axonal repair. Its flagship program, PIPE-307, is an oral, highly selective M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist that completed two Phase 1 trials in healthy volunteers and showed linear PK and tolerability. PIPE-307 has received FDA Investigational New Drug clearance to initiate clinical development in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Pipeline has entered a global license and development agreement to broaden clinical evaluation of PIPE-307 in RRMS and other neurological disorders. The company will have the right to continue advancing PIPE-307 into a Phase 2 trial for RRMS under the agreement. Pipeline said the upfront payment and planned equity investments will strengthen its financial position and extend runway to continue advancing its small-molecule neuroregeneration portfolio. Pipeline Therapeutics focuses on development and commercialization of first-in-class small molecules targeting neuroregeneration, including synaptogenesis, remyelination and axonal repair. The company's lead clinical program, PIPE-505, is enrolling patients in a Phase 1/2a study for sensorineural hearing loss. A second program, PIPE-307, has initiated a Phase 1 healthy volunteer trial targeting multiple sclerosis. Pipeline holds a broader portfolio of programs addressing a range of neurological disorders. The company plans to use recent financing to advance PIPE-505 and PIPE-307 as well as additional therapeutic candidates and for general corporate purposes. The company is based in San Diego. Pipeline Therapeutics focuses on developing and commercializing first-in-class small molecules that promote neuroregeneration, including synaptogenesis, remyelination and axonal repair. Its lead candidate, PIPE-505, is a small-molecule gamma secretase inhibitor entering a Phase 1b/2a study to treat mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss associated with cochlear synaptopathy and is positioned to impact both audibility and speech intelligibility. The company is also advancing PIPE-307, a selective M1 receptor antagonist aimed at remyelination to treat multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating disorders by regenerating myelin around axons. Pipeline plans to use the financing proceeds to advance its portfolio and move multiple programs into the clinic. A Phase 1b/2a study of PIPE-505 was expected to begin in 4Q 2019 with topline results expected in late 2020. The company communicates progress from San Diego and emphasizes addressing high unmet medical needs across neurological indications.

Participated · Series B · Jan 2019

Immusoft is advancing a novel engineered B cell therapy platform that programs patients' B cells to continuously produce therapeutic proteins. Its lead program, ISP-001, delivers alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA) for MPS I and is being prepared for human clinical trials. The company plans to use recent funding to support a Phase I study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ISP-001 in MPS I patients. Immusoft has received FDA Orphan Drug Designation and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for ISP-001. The company previously received a $4M CIRM grant in November 2021 to support ISP-002 (iduronate sulfatase) for MPS II. Immusoft has also entered a research collaboration and license option agreement with Takeda to explore delivery of protein therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier for neurometabolic disorders. Immusoft develops a hybrid cell/gene therapy platform called Immune System Programming (ISP™) that uses a non-viral Sleeping Beauty transposon to reprogram autologous B cells to produce therapeutic proteins. Its lead candidate, ISP-001 (iduronicrin genleukocel-T), is designed to express and deliver alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA) to treat Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I). ISP-001 has received orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations from the FDA. The company plans to use recent financing to advance ISP-001 through Phase I/II clinical development and to support additional pipeline candidates that leverage the ISP approach. Immusoft also received a $3.5 million SBIR grant to support development of sustained protein delivery across the blood–brain barrier. The platform aims to create long‑lived, B‑cell “miniature drug factories” capable of continuous secretion of gene‑encoded proteins to potentially replace chronic recombinant enzyme replacement therapy. Immusoft develops an Immune System Programming (ISP) platform that uses an ex vivo, non-viral system to genetically modify B cells so they produce gene-encoded biologics. The company intends for reprogrammed B cells to act as long-lived, in‑patient drug factories and is targeting MPS I as its first clinical application. Immusoft is advancing its pipeline toward human testing and is working to complete a Phase I/II clinical trial in MPS-I. Financially, Immusoft has closed a $3M initial tranche of a Series B financing to support those clinical plans, with the full Series B still underway. Leadership changes accompany the financing: Sean Ainsworth (affiliated with 600 Mile Challenge Fund) will assume the roles of CEO and Chairman, founder Matthew Scholz moves to Chief Technology Officer and remains on the board, and Anthony Sun joined the board. The company was founded in 2009 and has worked with major medical and research partners, receiving early support from investors and grantors including Peter Thiel via FF Science, Tim Draper, Technium Partners, Breakout Labs, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Immusoft is a Seattle-based gene therapy company founded in 2009 by Matthew Scholz. It developed Immune System Programming (ISP™) technology that reprograms patient B cells to produce gene-encoded medicines (biologics). The company intends to use recently raised funds to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application and to expand business operations. Immusoft closed on $2.74M of a planned $3M funding round that was oversubscribed and expected to close soon. The round was led by Founders Fund’s FF Science and Technium Partners. Immusoft is a Seattle, WA-based biotechnology company developing technology to program the human immune system by modifying DNA in immune cells. The company commercializes Immune System Programming (ISP™), designed to re-program human immune cells to produce therapeutics in the body. ISP technology aims to enable in vivo production of therapeutics to treat a range of diseases and to enhance human health and longevity. Potential therapeutic applications cited include HIV, enzyme replacement, autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, infectious diseases, and maintenance therapy for cancers. Core components of ISP were developed in the Baltimore Lab at the California Institute of Technology and are exclusively licensed by Immusoft. Financially, the company was awarded an up to $350K grant from the Thiel Foundation’s Breakout Labs.

Led · Series B · Apr 2017

Bonti is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Newport Beach, California focused on developing EB-001, an investigational botulinum neurotoxin serotype E (BoNT/E) with a fast onset and short duration of effect. EB-001 is being developed for targeted therapeutic and aesthetic indications, including post-surgical and non-surgical musculoskeletal pain. The candidate has a rapid onset (within 24 hours) and a shorter duration (about 3–4 weeks) versus marketed BoNT/A products, a profile the company believes suits several clinical uses. Bonti is conducting Phase 2 pain studies (LANTERN-1 ongoing and LANTERN-2 planned) and preparing for an End of Phase 2 FDA meeting. The company announced the appointment of David Ramsay as Chief Financial Officer, effective February 2018. Financially, the Series C brings cumulative investment in Bonti to over $36 million. Bonti is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Newport Beach, California, focused on developing EB-001, a botulinum neurotoxin serotype E (BoNT/E) with a differentiated clinical profile. EB-001 has a faster onset of action (about 24 hours) and a shorter duration (about four weeks) compared with marketed BoNT/A products, and is being pursued for both aesthetic and non-surgical and post-surgical therapeutic uses. The company plans to complete a Phase 2 clinical study in the aesthetic indication and to initiate a Phase 2 study for a long-acting, non-opioid musculoskeletal therapeutic in the second half of 2017, with interim data targeted by year-end. Management says proceeds will also propel the company past regulatory steps and enable broader sharing of clinical findings with healthcare professionals. Financially, Bonti has completed a Series A and Series B, bringing cumulative investment to over $20 million to date. The team includes neurotoxin experts with prior experience at Allergan and is positioning EB-001 for multi-billion dollar addressable markets.

Participated · Series B · Nov 2015

RetroSense’s lead product, RST-001, is a first-in-class optogenetic gene therapy intended to restore vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, independent of causative gene or mutation. The company holds worldwide exclusive rights to underlying IP from Wayne State University and Massachusetts General Hospital. RST-001 received FDA Orphan Drug designation in 2014 and was authorized for first-in-human trials in 2015; a Phase I/II study (NCT02556736) is currently recruiting at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest. RetroSense plans to complete that Phase I/II study and advance a second gene therapy candidate. Financially, RetroSense closed a $6 million Series B and previously raised $7 million in a Series A earlier in 2015, bringing total Series A/B proceeds to $13 million. The net proceeds are intended to enable completion of the ongoing clinical study and support further development of the second candidate. RetroSense Therapeutics is developing RST-001, a first-in-class gene therapy application of optogenetics intended to confer light sensitivity to degenerated retinas and restore vision. The company is focused on treating retinitis pigmentosa and advanced dry age-related macular degeneration. RST-001 has been designated with Orphan Drug Status and is being advanced through preclinical studies. RetroSense holds worldwide exclusive rights to relevant intellectual property from Wayne State University and Massachusetts General Hospital. The company, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is led by a team experienced in moving products from discovery to the clinic. Proceeds from the recent financing are intended to support completion of preclinical work needed for an IND filing and initiation of clinical trials.