Led · Series A · Dec 2024

HERVolution Therapeutics develops immunotherapies that target human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) from the ‘dark genome’ to treat cancer, metabolic disease and other aging-related conditions. The company uses proprietary engineering to break immune self-tolerance and induce potent, durable anti-HERV T and B cell responses. Re-designed HERV antigens can be delivered via adenoviral vectors, virus-like particles, and mRNA, enabling off-the-shelf applications and varied dosing regimens. Its lead candidate, IPT-001, is a dual adenoviral-vector immune therapy supported by robust preclinical data and developed in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India; HERVolution plans to enter the clinic in 2025. The company is also developing IPT-002, an mRNA vector intended for prime-boost strategies to maintain and amplify anti-HERV responses. HERVolution announced an $11.7M Series A to fund cGMP manufacturing with SII, initiate Phase 1 studies, investigate indication expansion, and expand clinical infrastructure. The company is based in Copenhagen, Denmark and the U.S., and was formerly InProTher Aps.

Led · Series B · Feb 2023

Codagenix is a clinical-stage synthetic biology company focused on designing live-attenuated vaccines and viral therapeutics using codon deoptimization. The platform combines live-attenuated virus design with synthetic biology techniques to address infectious disease, cancer, and animal health. Led by CEO J. Robert Coleman and based in Farmingdale, New York, the company develops intranasal and universal vaccine candidates. Its lead clinical programs include CodaVax-RSV, an intranasal live-attenuated RSV vaccine candidate, and CodaVax-H1N1, a universal live-attenuated influenza vaccine currently in an ongoing Phase 1 study. The company also plans to expand its oncology program. The recent financing is intended to advance clinical development and support additional cohorts in ongoing studies. Codagenix is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Farmingdale, N.Y., that uses software to recode viral genomes to construct live-attenuated vaccines and oncolytic viruses. Its platform produces recoded vaccine candidates that match target viruses and induce immune responses to all viral antigens, and can be used to turn viruses into potential oncolytic immuno-oncology therapies. Led by CEO J. Robert Coleman, the company plans to use the Series B proceeds to advance clinical development of a live attenuated RSV vaccine for the elderly, a broadly-protective influenza vaccine, and an oncolytic therapy for triple negative breast cancer. Codagenix spun out of the laboratory of National Academy of Science member Eckard Wimmer at Stony Brook University in 2012. The company closed a $20m Series B and, together with Series A investments, has raised $38m to date; previous funders include Topspin Partners, The Stony Brook University Center for Biotechnology and U.S. government agencies. Codagenix is a Long Island, New York–based pre-clinical biotechnology company that develops live-attenuated vaccines using a software-based rational design algorithm which re-structures viral genomes into a sub-optimal genetic code. The company’s platform is built to produce ultra-low dose live-attenuated vaccines. Its pipeline includes influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), dengue, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), pathogenic E. coli and other targets. Codagenix was co-founded by Steffen Mueller (President and Chief Scientific Officer), J. Robert Coleman (Chief Operating Officer), and Stony Brook. The company intends to use newly raised funds to expand its vaccine targets and to support clinical testing of its ultra-low dose live-attenuated influenza vaccine. Financially, Codagenix completed a $2M Series A financing to advance these efforts.

Participated · Series A · Jul 2019

X-Vax Technology is a Jupiter, Fla.-based biotech focused on vaccines against pathogens acquired by mucosal infection, notably herpes. Its lead program is a herpes vaccine candidate called ∆gD-2, an HSV-2 virus genetically deleted for glycoprotein D (gD-2). In preclinical models the candidate prevented infections caused by both HSV-1 and HSV-2. The vaccine works by inducing Fc receptor-activating antibodies that mediate antibody-dependent cell-mediated killing (ADCK) to flag infected cells for destruction. The company plans to use the new funding to advance ∆gD-2 through further development and production and to support a Phase 1 clinical study. The company is led by President and CEO Ulf Wiinberg.

Participated · Series C · Oct 2017

Visterra is a clinical-stage biotech that uses its Hierotope® platform and ViStar™ Fc engineering to identify unique targets and design precision antibody-based therapies. Its lead product candidates include VIS410 (for hospitalized influenza A), VIS649 (for IgA nephropathy), VIS513 (dengue, developed with Serum Institute of India) and VIS705 (an ADC targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The company plans to advance VIS410 into a Phase 2b clinical trial and to initiate clinical trials for VIS649, while continuing to develop ViStar Fc modifications to extend antibody half-life and effector function. Visterra reported a Series C financing to support these development activities. Management highlighted several near-term clinical milestones, including top-line results from a VIS410 Phase 2a trial and initiation of VIS410 Phase 2b and VIS649 trials. The company is based in Cambridge, Mass. Visterra is a Cambridge, Mass.–based biotechnology company that uses its proprietary Hierotope™ Platform and Atomic Interaction Network (AIN) analysis to identify epitopes and design novel monoclonal antibody therapeutics. Its lead candidates include VIS410, a broad‑spectrum human monoclonal antibody for prevention and treatment of seasonal and pandemic influenza, and VIS513, a human monoclonal antibody that broadly neutralizes all four dengue virus serotypes. Proceeds from an upsized $30 million Series B will be used to advance multiple product candidates into the clinic, including moving VIS410 into Phase 2 trials and advancing VIS513 into the clinic. The company focuses on engineering antibodies to address polymorphism and mutational escape exhibited by infectious organisms. Visterra was founded based on scientific work developed in the laboratory of Dr. Ram Sasisekharan and licensed from MIT. Visterra discovers and develops novel monoclonal antibodies to prevent and treat major infectious diseases, with a lead candidate VIS410 targeting seasonal and pandemic influenza. The company uses a proprietary antibody engineering and network analysis technology to identify novel target epitopes and guide antibody design. Visterra plans to advance VIS410 into phase 1 clinical trials in 2014 and to build a broader pipeline of antibodies in infectious disease through internal programs and strategic partnerships. Financially, the company completed an upsized and final closing of its Series A, receiving $8.1 million in this closing and bringing total Series A proceeds to $34.2 million. Existing investors continue to back the company, and proceeds will be used to accelerate development and company growth. The company also expanded its executive team with appointments including a new CEO earlier in the year and recent hires for COO/CFO and VP of Business Development. Visterra discovers and develops novel antibodies to prevent and treat infectious and other major diseases. Its proprietary antibody discovery platform generates unique structural information to identify novel target epitopes and guide antibody design. The company’s lead product candidate, VIS410, is a broad‑spectrum monoclonal antibody for the prevention and treatment of seasonal and pandemic influenza. Proceeds from the financing will be used to further develop and validate Visterra’s technology platform and advance its infectious disease product pipeline. Visterra announced an antibody discovery collaboration with Pfizer in September 2012 and was founded based on the scientific work of Dr. Ram Sasisekharan at MIT. The company is backed by Polaris Venture Partners, Flagship Ventures, Lux Capital, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Omega Funds and is based in Cambridge, Mass.