Led · Seed · Sep 2024

HDAX Therapeutics is developing best-in-class HDAC6-targeting small-molecule therapeutics via a novel molecular recognition mechanism aimed at overcoming weak binding, poor pharmacokinetics, and off-target toxicities. The company’s platform originates from over seven years of research in Professor Patrick Gunning’s lab at the University of Toronto. HDAX is focused on discovery and preclinical development toward candidate nomination across neurological and cardiometabolic indications. Management emphasizes the potential for differentiated safety and efficacy versus prior HDAC6 efforts. The company is privately held and plans to use proceeds from its seed financing to advance its pipeline programs and nominate a preclinical development candidate. HDAX highlights a leadership team with deep small-molecule development expertise.

Participated · Seed · Jan 2024

Vasa Therapeutics is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on therapies addressing the pathophysiology of cardiovascular aging. Its lead program, VS-041, is a personalized-medicine treatment for HFpEF that reduced cardiac fibrosis in a preclinical HFpEF model and inhibits release of collagen fragments such as PRO-C6; a Phase 1 clinical trial is planned for Q2 2024. Other programs include long-acting apelin peptide analogs intended for combination treatment with incretins in obesity patients at risk of muscle loss or cardiovascular disease, and potential monotherapy uses in muscle atrophy, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and peripheral artery disease. The company is also developing a CamKIId inhibitor for heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias. Vasa is led by CEO Artur Plonowski, MD, PhD, and is based in Encinitas, CA. It intends to use recently raised funds to advance these novel therapies toward clinical development.

Led · Seed · Dec 2023

Interface Biosciences has developed an AI and metabolomics-based discovery platform to identify bacterial natural products that modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. The company is advancing therapeutic programs targeting inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Its lead program is a 44‑amino peptide derived from Ruminococcus gnavus that the company reports has wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic activity against pathogens including Clostridium difficile and Staphylococcus aureus. Initial data reportedly show the lead compound is stable and non-toxic, with in vivo studies slated to begin in January 2024. Interface was founded by Stanford PhDs Hannah C. Wastyk and Will Van Treuren and is based in Palo Alto. The company recently closed an oversubscribed $3 million seed round to advance its platform and programs.

Participated · Seed · Apr 2023

TRIO Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company pioneering bispecific antibodies through its proprietary TRAILBody and TIE‑ADC platforms. Its dual‑action therapies aim to directly stop tumor growth while selectively reversing tumor immunosuppression without targeting existing immune checkpoints. TRIO is advancing programs against high‑mortality cancers including multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia, ovarian, endometrial, and triple‑negative breast cancer. The company positions its therapies as potent, less toxic alternatives to conventional treatments and notes its team has developed first‑in‑class FDA‑approved drugs. TRIO will use proceeds to expand preclinical activities and advance its programs toward clinical development. The financing underscores a focus on accelerating development for cancers with high unmet need. TRIO Pharmaceuticals was founded by Purdue University biophysics and structural biology alumnus Shiva Bhowmik, who serves as founder and chief operating officer. The company develops antibody-based therapeutics intended to strengthen the body’s immune response by selectively eliminating immunosuppressive cells and directly targeting cancer cells. TRIO’s approach combines removal of immunosuppressive cells with direct anticancer activity to achieve stronger antitumor immunity. The recent financing is intended to enable TRIO to advance its technology and identify the best drug candidates for further development. Company leadership expects the milestone will open opportunities for collaborations with large pharmaceutical companies and the possibility of raising future funding rounds.

Participated · Seed · Mar 2023

Tiamat Sciences reinvents recombinant proteins by producing animal-free proteins in plants, aiming to accelerate the next generation of biotech across cellular agriculture, regenerative medicine, vaccine production, and more. The company supplies growth factors and other recombinant proteins at a fraction of conventional cost with a reduced carbon footprint. Led by Founder and CEO France-Emmanuelle Adil, Tiamat targets customers and partners in cellular agriculture and regenerative medicine. The new funds will accelerate product validation in those markets and help establish strategic industry partnerships. Tiamat is preparing for production in March 2023 to commercialize its products and is planning site expansion in North Carolina and Belgium. Financially, the company has now raised a total of $5.4M after the recent seed extension. Tiamat Sciences develops animal-free growth factors and recombinant proteins using a proprietary plant molecular farming approach that combines biotechnology, vertical farming and computational design. CEO France-Emmanuelle Adil founded the company in 2019. The company aims to drastically reduce the cost of growth factors used in cellular meat media—Adil estimates current costs at $2 million per gram and says Tiamat could make them 10× cheaper and ultimately 1,000× cheaper by 2025. Tiamat plans to release its first product by the end of the year, send samples to customers for testing, and pursue partnerships in 2022. It relocated from Belgium to North Carolina in May and is building a pilot production facility in Durham, targeting carbon-neutral production. The company says its approach could also be applied to regenerative medicine and vaccine production.