• Relypsa

  Participated · Series C · Aug 2012

  Relypsa is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing non-absorbed polymeric drugs; its lead candidate is patiromer (RLY5016), a high-capacity oral potassium binder for treatment of hyperkalemia. The company is advancing patiromer through late-stage development and commercial planning and uses a proprietary polymer platform to pursue additional product candidates. Relypsa announced an $80 million Series C preferred stock financing to fund late-stage development, submission of a new drug application (NDA), and commercial planning for patiromer. The company plans to initiate Phase 3 pivotal clinical trials of patiromer this year. Earlier clinical work includes data generated to date in nearly 500 patients and an ongoing Phase 2b AMETHYST-DN study that completed enrollment of 306 subjects at approximately 50 sites in May 2012, which includes an 8-week efficacy period followed by a 44-week extension for long-term safety and tolerability. Relypsa is based in Santa Clara, Calif. Relypsa is developing non-absorbed polymeric drugs with a lead compound, RLY5016, a high-capacity oral potassium binder for chronic and acute management of hyperkalemia. RLY5016 is being developed for patients with renal impairment, hypertension, diabetes and heart failure. The company has completed several clinical trials, including the PEARL-HF Phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled study in heart failure patients. A multi-center, open-label titration study is currently underway to inform pivotal study design. Relypsa plans to use recent financing to advance RLY5016 through pivotal clinical studies. Gerrit Klaerner, Ph.D., is President of the company. Relypsa is developing a lead drug candidate to treat hyperkalemia, a dangerous elevation of potassium that can cause arrhythmia and impaired kidney function. The company is in phase-two clinical trials for that candidate and says the additional capital will be used to complete those trials. Relypsa predicts the phase will close by the end of 2009 and already plans to raise new funds in 2010. The company is based in Santa Clara and was spun out from Ilypsa after Ilypsa was acquired by Amgen in July 2007. Many of Relypsa’s current investors previously backed Ilypsa. The article does not report revenue or user metrics.

• CyOptics

  Participated · Equity · Jan 2011

  CyOptics designs, develops and markets a full line of indium phosphide (InP) optical chips and components for integration into access, metro and long-haul communications systems. The company also offers contract design, foundry and high-performance packaging services. It serves over 100 customers worldwide, including telecom system OEMs, module-level suppliers and major defense contractors. In 2010 CyOptics generated over $100m in revenues. Operations include InP design, device fabrication and packaging in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania; a silica PLC fab in South Plainfield, New Jersey; and automated packaging and testing in Matamoros, Mexico. Management says proceeds from the investment will fund working capital to bolster near-term revenue growth and support R&D to deliver new products and services.

• NeuroVista

  Participated · Equity · May 2007

  NeuroVista is developing a Seizure Advisory System — an implantable device that senses irregularities in brain electrical waves that precede a seizure. The device is designed to give early warnings so patients can take medicine or find a safe place to lie down. The company is advancing the technology through clinical trials, and the recent financing is intended to support those ongoing trials. NeuroVista closed $16.5M in equity financing and also secured a $5M convertible debt agreement. As part of the financing, Dr. Steve Gourlay of GBS joined NeuroVista's board. The funding will be used to further clinical development of the platform. NeuroVista develops implantable devices aimed at treating epilepsy. The company, founded in 2002 by Daniel DiLorenzo and based in Seattle, has been publicly quiet about its technology and commercial direction. In April, DiLorenzo received a patent for a "neurological control system" using "closed-loop intracranial stimulation" for the optimal control of neurological disease, suggesting systems that monitor and potentially counteract early signs of seizures. The company completed a $33.8 million second-round funding, which should support further development of its technology. NeuroVista previously operated under the name BioNeuronics. Other firms, including NeuroPace, Medtronic, and Cyberonics, are also reported to be researching epilepsy devices, indicating a competitive landscape.

No current team members are available.