Participated · Series C · Apr 2025

Glycomine is a clinical-stage biotech based in San Carlos, California, focused on developing transformative therapies for rare orphan diseases. Its lead candidate, GLM101, is a first-in-class mannose-1-phosphate replacement therapy designed to deliver mannose-1-phosphate into cells and bypass disease-causing PMM2 mutations to restore N-glycosylation. GLM101 has received Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and E.U., and Rare Pediatric Disease and Fast Track designations in the U.S. The company has enrolled more than 20 patients across Europe and the U.S. in an ongoing Phase 2 open-label study and has initiated dosing in pediatric patients. Data from the Phase 2 open-label study showed an average 11.9-point improvement on the ICARS among nine adult and adolescent patients over 24 weeks, providing clinical proof of concept for improvement in ataxia. Glycomine recently announced a $115 million Series C financing to support advancing GLM101 into a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2b safety and efficacy study later this year. Glycomine is a biotechnology company based in San Carlos, California, developing therapies for orphan diseases. Its lead candidate, GLM101, is a mannose-1-phosphate substrate replacement therapy designed to deliver mannose-1-phosphate intracellularly to bypass PMM2 enzyme deficiency and restore N-glycosylation. Preclinical studies have shown GLM101 can restore disrupted glycosylation pathways in PMM2-CDG. GLM101 has received Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and Europe and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation in the U.S. Glycomine plans to use the Series B proceeds to advance GLM101 into initial clinical trials and confirm clinical potential across PMM2-CDG genotypes. The company focuses on replacement therapies targeted to clinically relevant cellular compartments for rare metabolic and protein-misfolding disorders. Glycomine focuses on developing orphan drugs for serious rare monogenic disorders of metabolism and protein misfolding. The company’s approach combines replacement therapies—substrates, enzymes, or proteins—with delivery vehicles made of bio-nanomaterials or ligands to target molecules to the cell interior of relevant organs. Glycomine intends to use the new capital to advance its substrate replacement therapy for PMM2‑CDG (CDG‑1a) into early-stage clinical studies. The company raised $33m in a Series B financing led by Novo Holdings A/S. In connection with the financing, Peter McWilliams, Ph.D., moved from acting CEO to full-time CEO. Kenneth Harrison, Ph.D., of Novo Ventures and Chris Starr, Ph.D., joined the company’s board. Glycomine is a San Francisco, CA–based biotechnology company developing a new generation of replacement therapies for rare monogenic disorders of metabolism and protein misfolding. Its approach combines replacement therapies—substrates, enzymes, or proteins—with intracellular delivery vehicles consisting of bio‑nanomaterials or targeting ligands to deliver molecules into clinically relevant organs. The company is led by CEO Agnes Rafalko, PhD, with Christopher Starr, PhD serving as Executive Chairman. Glycomine raised $12m in a Series A financing to advance its pipeline. The company intends to use the funds to complete IND‑enabling preclinical studies and initiate clinical studies of a substrate replacement therapy in patients with Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation Type Ia (CDG‑Ia). Proceeds will also be used to accelerate discovery efforts toward an enzyme replacement therapy for N‑glycanase deficiency (Ngly1).

Participated · Series D · Jun 2021

ViaCyte develops novel cell replacement therapies derived from pluripotent stem cells alongside medical device systems for cell encapsulation and implantation. Its first product candidates are being advanced as potential long-term treatments for patients with type 1 diabetes to achieve glucose control targets and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia and diabetes-related complications. The company intends to use new funding to advance its portfolio of stem cell-derived therapies designed to provide a functional cure for type 1 diabetes. ViaCyte has established collaborative partnerships with CRISPR Therapeutics and W.L. Gore & Associates to accelerate and expand its efforts. The company is led by President and CEO Michael Yang and CFO/COO Brittany Bradrick and is headquartered in San Diego, California. ViaCyte is a regenerative medicine company developing cell replacement therapies intended as long-term treatments for insulin-requiring diabetes to improve glucose control and reduce hypoglycemia and complications. Its product candidates are based on directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into PEC-01 pancreatic islet progenitor cells delivered in durable, retrievable cell-delivery devices. PEC-Direct (non-immunoprotective) and PEC-Encap/VC-01 (immunoprotective) are both undergoing clinical evaluation for different patient populations. In collaboration with CRISPR Therapeutics, ViaCyte is developing immune-evasive stem cell lines for the PEC-QT program to broaden availability to patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and other potential indications. The company holds an intellectual property portfolio of hundreds of issued patents and pending applications worldwide and has partnerships including CRISPR Therapeutics and W.L. Gore & Associates. Financially, ViaCyte closed approximately $27M in a Series D financing and intends to use the proceeds to further advance its multi-product candidate approach; the company is led by CEO Paul Laikind. ViaCyte is a clinical-stage regenerative medicine company based in San Diego developing stem cell-derived islet replacement therapies aimed at treating diabetes. Led by President and CEO Paul Laikind, the company is advancing two clinical-stage candidates: PEC-Direct and PEC-Encap. PEC-Direct is being evaluated in the second stage of a Phase 1/2 trial for high-risk type 1 diabetes patients, with initial proof-of-efficacy data expected as early as mid-2019. PEC-Encap is being developed for all patients with type 1 diabetes. ViaCyte intends to use proceeds from its financing to further advance these stem cell-derived therapies toward potential functional cures and improved glucose control. Together with strategic collaborations and transactions with W.L. Gore and CRISPR Therapeutics, the company has secured commitments for over $100m of new financing in the second half of the year. ViaCyte develops stem cell-based islet cell replacement therapies to treat type 1 diabetes. The company has two product candidates in clinical development: PEC-Direct and PEC-Encap. PEC-Direct is a combination product that delivers PEC-01 pancreatic progenitor cells in an implantable device designed to allow direct vascularization of the cells; used with concomitant maintenance immune suppression therapy it aims to deliver a functional cure for high-risk type 1 diabetes patients. PEC-Encap is a stem cell-derived islet replacement therapy being developed for all patients who require insulin. The company announced regulatory allowance to begin clinical investigation of PEC-Direct in both Canada and the U.S. ViaCyte intends to use the financing to support initiation of clinical development for PEC-Direct and to support other operations, including continued development of PEC-Encap. The company is led by Paul Laikind, Ph.D. ViaCyte is a regenerative medicine company based in San Diego developing a stem cell-derived islet replacement therapy for the treatment of diabetes. Its lead product candidate, VC-01, comprises PEC-01 pancreatic progenitor cells derived from a proprietary human embryonic stem cell line encapsulated in the company’s Encaptra device. When implanted under the skin, the PEC-01 cells are designed to mature into insulin-producing beta and other endocrine cells that regulate blood glucose. The company recently submitted an Investigational New Drug application and a Medical Device Master File to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking permission to begin clinical evaluation of VC-01. ViaCyte intends to use the proceeds from its Series C-1 financing to pursue clinical development of VC-01. The company has operations in San Diego, California and additional operations in Athens, Georgia. The Series C-1 round had multiple closings, bringing investor support to date to $16.5M.

Participated · Series D · Mar 2021

CalciMedica is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovery and development of small-molecule CRAC channel inhibitors to treat severe acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Its lead product, Auxora, has data from a Phase 2a acute pancreatitis trial and a Phase 2 COVID-19 pneumonia trial suggesting prevention of organ tissue damage and rapid restoration of organ function. Auxora is currently being evaluated in a blinded, placebo-controlled trial in severe and critical COVID-19 pneumonia (up to 400 patients planned; over 200 randomized to date) and a Phase 2b trial in acute pancreatitis is set to start enrolling in the coming weeks. The company plans to use proceeds from the Series D financing to advance clinical development across Auxora and its broader CRAC inhibitor portfolio. CalciMedica is privately held and headquartered in San Diego, California, and the announced financing will be completed in multiple private closings. The financing also included board augmentation with Zafi Avnur, Ph.D., of Quark Venture joining the board, indicating investor operational involvement. CalciMedica is a La Jolla, California-based clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovery and development of drugs that target calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels for treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. The company is advancing Auxora (formerly CM4620-IE), a potent and selective small-molecule CRAC channel inhibitor that prevents CRAC channel overactivation. CRAC channels control the entry of calcium into immune and other cell types, and CalciMedica says modulating this pathway can reduce detrimental calcium signaling in inflammatory conditions. The company intends to use the new funding to advance ongoing clinical trials evaluating Auxora in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring oxygen therapy and to accelerate commercial manufacturing for the drug. CalciMedica is led by CEO Rachel Leheny, Ph.D. In May 2020 the company raised $15M in a Series C financing led by Valence Life Sciences with participation from Bering Capital, Mesa Verde Venture Partners and existing investor Sanderling Ventures. CalciMedica is developing selective CRAC channel inhibitors intended to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Over the past year the company reported significant progress identifying and characterizing CRAC channel inhibitors with attractive pharmaceutical properties. Management states these candidates have the potential to become safe and effective drugs for inflammatory and autoimmune indications. Financially, CalciMedica closed the second tranche of a $12M Series C financing and has raised a total of $19M in equity funding to date. Prior financings include a seed round from SR One in December 2006 and a Series B in August 2007. The Series C round included participation from BiogenIdec New Ventures, Sanderling Ventures and SR One. CalciMedica is a San Diego-based biotechnology company focused on autoimmune and inflammatory disease. The reporting states the company raised $1.53 million in its first funding round. The funding was provided by S.R. One, according to a regulatory filing cited by PE Hub. The articles do not disclose specific product candidates, pipeline details, or operating metrics such as revenue or user numbers. No future plans or use of proceeds were detailed in the coverage. The public reporting is limited to the amount raised, the investor, and the regulatory filing citation.

Participated · Series C · Jan 2018

Metavention develops Metabolic Neuromodulation Therapy (MNT), a transcatheter approach that targets sympathetic nervous system activity to improve glucose control in Type 2 diabetes and potentially abnormal liver function. MNT uses standard interventional vascular techniques to modulate overactive sympathetic nerves with the aim of lowering blood glucose and improving metabolic outcomes. The company announced a $65 million Series C and will use the funds to optimize its MNT therapy and commence preparations for a Phase 2 study in the United States. In conjunction with the financing Metavention appointed Todd Berg as Chief Executive Officer; Berg previously served as CEO of Torax Medical, which was acquired by Ethicon (Johnson & Johnson) in 2017. The leadership team also includes founder, president and chief medical officer Bobak Azamian, M.D., Ph.D. Metavention is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn.

Participated · Series A · Jul 2017

PreciThera develops innovative biological therapeutics targeting orphan bone diseases that cannot be treated via traditional protein replacement therapies. The company combines informatics-based tools, integrating RNA sequencing with genomic and clinical databases, to validate the major pathways responsible for clinical symptoms in rare genetic disorders. Its pipeline focuses on novel molecules with a lead candidate intended to be advanced through IND-enabling work and into clinical studies. PreciThera intends to use the Series A proceeds to develop additional molecules, establish clinical proof of concept for the lead candidate and identify a path to registration. The company was co-founded in 2016 by Dr. Philippe Crine and Dr. Susan Schiavi and is led by CEO Pierre Beauparlant. It is based in Montreal, Canada.