• Vestaron

  Participated · Series C · Oct 2014

  Vestaron is a Kalamazoo, Michigan–based global leader developing novel peptide-based crop protection solutions. Its core products are peptide-based bioinsecticides in the SPEAR® portfolio, including BASIN, a second active ingredient recently approved in the U.S. and Mexico. The company has commercial traction, having surpassed 1 million acres of product sprayed and entering Europe via emergency use authorizations to control Tuta absoluta (tomato leafminer). Vestaron recently closed a funding round of more than $20M to expand commercial presence in key U.S. and European markets and to advance development of additional peptide-based products. It signed ADM as a contract manufacturing organization to increase production capacity and reduce costs, supporting near-term commercialization and scale-up. Vestaron plans to secure full regulatory approvals and begin sales of BASIN by year-end, further strengthening its SPEAR® bioinsecticide product portfolio and pursuing additional global market opportunities. Vestaron develops peptide-based biological insecticides under its SPEAR® brand, offering a novel mode of action comparable in efficacy to synthetic options. Its products are designed to be soft on honeybees and other pollinators as well as safe for fish and mammals. The SPEAR family provides an opportunity to incorporate the new IRAC Group 32 into resistance-management rotations. Led by CEO Anna Rath and headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, the company is focused on expanding its product pipeline of additional peptide-empowered solutions. Vestaron plans to expand from specialty fruit, vegetable and nut crops into broad acre row crops and into new insect pest categories. The company recently raised additional capital to support these development and expansion plans, bringing its total funding to date to $92M. Vestaron is a Durham, NC-based company that develops peptide-based biological crop protection solutions. Led by CEO Anna Rath, the company has developed biological insecticide technology that enables a wide variety of biologic crop protection products. The firm markets product lines based on that technology. It closed an $82M Series C in January 2022. Vestaron said it will use the funds to expand operations and its business reach. As a result of the financing the board will add Ariel Barack (Ordway), Mike Wilbur (Cavallo) and Craig Herron (iSelect) as board observers. Vestaron develops peptide-based biopesticides using a proprietary platform to optimize and produce peptides that aim to match the efficacy of traditional synthetics while improving safety and environmental profile. Led by CEO Anna Rath, the company has launched its first two products: Spear-T for greenhouse pests (thrips, whiteflies, aphids and mites) and Spear-Lep for field lepidopteran pests. Vestaron raised $40M in a Series B financing to support commercialization of the Spear family, expand into new geographies and accelerate development of additional peptide-based biopesticides. The company plans to use the funds to advance its pipeline and broaden market presence. No operating metrics were disclosed in the article. Vestaron exploits natural insecticidal peptides that have potent insect-killing potential while being safe to humans, birds, fish and the environment. The company is leveraging its peptide technology to develop bioinsecticides, plant-incorporated traits and synthetic molecules derived from those peptides with a favorable safety spectrum. Led by CEO John Sorenson, Ph.D., Vestaron plans to expand research and development using proceeds from its latest financing. The firm aims to introduce its first product, the SPEAR™-T biological insecticide, before the 1st quarter selling season next year and two additional products using the same active ingredient later in 2017. It completed an $18m Series D financing to fund these activities.

• Axonia Medical

  Led · Seed · May 2012

  Axonia Medical is developing proprietary tissue-engineered nerve grafts (TENGs) that recapitulate nervous system anatomy to bridge lost nervous tissue and jump-start regenerative mechanisms. The company’s platform targets functional repair of peripheral and central nervous system injuries, including peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and stroke. Axonia’s lead program focuses on peripheral nerve injury after traumatic injury and tumor resection, areas with significant unmet medical need due to limited existing treatment options. The technology leverages discoveries by scientific founder Dr. Douglas H. Smith at the University of Pennsylvania and the company emphasizes an established intellectual property position. Management plans to use the seed funding to accelerate development, demonstrate efficacy in large animal models and position products for human clinical testing. Axonia is privately held and located in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

No current team members are available.