Participated · Series B · Oct 2019

Adicet Bio is a pre-clinical biopharmaceutical company developing universal allogeneic immune cell therapies based on engineered gamma delta T cells. The company also identifies cancer‑specific intracellular peptide targets and generates T cell receptor‑like monoclonal antibodies (TCRLs) to arm T cells or act as T‑cell engagers in solid tumors. It plans to use the Series B proceeds to continue developing its proprietary technology, enter the clinic in Non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma and advance its solid tumor programs. Adicet is led by President and CEO Anil Singhal and is based in Menlo Park, California. In August 2016 the company entered a strategic collaboration with Regeneron to develop next‑generation engineered immune‑cell therapeutics using its gamma delta T‑cell platform. Adicet Bio is a pre-clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on the design and development of next-generation universal immune cell therapies (uICT) for cancer and other indications. Its core product approach centers on the uICT platform and related product candidates. The company said it will use the proceeds from the financing to progress the uICT platform and advance acquired programs. In connection with the financing, Adicet acquired Applied Immune Technologies, a Haifa-based company that develops high-affinity T-Cell Receptor-Like (TCRL™) antibodies and operates the Epitarget™ technology to identify disease-specific peptide targets. Applied Immune will continue operations in Israel as Adicet’s wholly-owned subsidiary. Adicet was founded by Aya Jakobovits, Ph.D. (President and CEO), and OrbiMed.

Participated · Series B · May 2019

Ayala Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in November 2017 with operations in Rehovot, Israel and Wilmington, Delaware. The company is developing AL101 and AL102, best-in-class gamma secretase (pan‑Notch) inhibitors, with clinical and preclinical studies underway. AL101 is in Phase 2 for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and Ayala intends to initiate a Phase 2 trial in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) bearing Notch activating mutations/fusions. AL102 is being investigated in hematologic malignancies, and Ayala is collaborating with Novartis in multiple myeloma. The FDA’s Office of Orphan Products Development has granted Orphan Drug Designation to AL101 for potential treatment of ACC. The company is focused on advancing its lead candidates through clinical development.

Led · Series B · Feb 2019

BiomX is a Ness Ziona, Israel–based microbiome drug discovery company led by CEO Jonathan Solomon. It develops customized phage therapies that target and destroy harmful bacteria implicated in chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cancer. The company discovers and validates proprietary bacterial targets and then customizes natural and engineered phage compositions against those targets. BiomX's lead programs include candidates for the treatment of acne and IBD. The company recently closed a $32M Series B equity financing to advance its pipeline. Proceeds from the financing will be used primarily to advance its leading drug candidates for acne and IBD into the clinic. BiomX is an Israel-based company developing drugs using microbiome bacteria. The firm focuses on creating therapeutics derived from or based on microbiome bacteria to treat disease. It recently raised $24 million in an early-stage funding round. The company said the funds will be used to advance its therapeutic pipeline toward clinical stages. Investors in the financing include OrbiMed, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Takeda Ventures, Seventure Partners, MiraeAsset, the SBI Japan-Israel Innovation Fund and other European investors. No operational metrics or valuation were disclosed in the article.

Participated · Series B · Jan 2019

Biond Biologics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel immunotherapies for cancer and INspire, a platform that enables intracellular delivery of biologics. Its leading development programs include BND-22 (an ILT2-blocking antibody), BND-67 (a CD28 signaling modulator) and BND-35 (an ILT3 antibody). BND-22 is being developed in a strategic collaboration with Sanofi and the first patient has been dosed in the first-in-human phase 1 trial. The company expects potential milestone payments from Sanofi that it says will help advance preclinical programs to the clinic. Biond aims to translate immunoregulatory discoveries into transformational drugs and to enable delivery of protein therapeutics to intracellular targets currently considered undruggable. The company recently closed a $15 million Series C to support advancement of its pipeline and platform. Biond Biologics, founded in 2016 by the former scientific team of cCam Biotherapeutics, is focused on discovery and development of immune-based therapies. Its in-house pipeline centers on newly discovered immune-checkpoints and immune-evasion mechanisms. The lead preclinical candidate, BION-202, is a novel macrophage activator that the company intends to advance into clinical trials; BION-206 is being developed to overcome a natural immune suppression mechanism. Biond is also developing a proprietary antibody cell-internalization platform to enable intracellular targeting of biologics. The company seeks collaborations with leading pharma groups to translate its science into therapies for diseases with unmet medical need and recently closed a $17 million Series B to fund near-term development.

Participated · Series B · Dec 2017

ChemomAb is a Tel Aviv, Israel–based biopharmaceutical startup founded in 2011 and led by CEO Dr. Adi Mor. The company develops monoclonal antibodies to treat inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Its lead product is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody directed against a key protein that controls cellular response in disease. The candidate employs a novel dual mechanism of action that interferes directly with fibrosis processes and attenuates the inflammatory process that supports fibrotic progression. The lead asset is currently in phase 1 clinical trials in Israel, and the company intends to use the new funds to advance its clinical program for NASH, examine efficacy and safety in patients, and develop the product for additional fibrotic orphan indications. ChemomAb is based in Ramat HaChayal, Tel Aviv, and employs seven professionals; it had previously raised $5m from OrbiMed Israel and private investors.