Participated · Equity · Mar 2024

Argonaut Manufacturing Services is an FDA-registered contract development and manufacturing organization serving biopharma, life sciences, and molecular diagnostics customers. Its core capabilities include aseptic vial filling, automated high-yield sterile injectable filling, and diagnostic lyophilization and kitting. The company holds ISO 13485:2016 certification for drug-device combination products and its quality systems have been audited by the FDA and PMDA. Argonaut is expanding drug product fill/finish capacity with a new dedicated isolator-based filling line in Carlsbad, CA that more than quadruples existing capacity and adds pre-fill syringe and cartridge capability. The expansion has been underway since early 2023 and Argonaut expects to have the facility and equipment fully validated in 2025. To support this build-out the company completed a financing to fund the capacity expansion and continue serving clinical and commercial supply needs. Argonaut Manufacturing Services is a contract manufacturer for biotech companies based in Carlsbad, CA. The company produces molecular diagnostic and life science reagents and consumables and supports all product stages from launch to revitalization. Its services include project planning, supplier management and global logistics. Clients receive products compliant with applicable regulations and savings realized through cost variabilization. The company is led by CEO Wayne Woodard and is backed by venture capital firm Telegraph Hill Partners. Argonaut recently obtained financing intended to support capital expenditures.

Led · Equity · Jun 2022

Mosaic Biosciences is a protein and antibody discovery firm that helps partners identify and develop next-generation protein therapeutics from concept through preclinical development. Its teams offer end-to-end services including antibody discovery and optimization, protein production and characterization, protein engineering, assay development, formulation and developability studies, and pharmacology and bioanalytical support. Mosaic works with biopharmaceutical companies, startups, and university-affiliated funds to accelerate discovery programs and reduce timelines and costs. The company announced an $11.4 million growth financing to support commercial growth and expand its discovery capabilities and services. Proceeds will be used to expand lab facility infrastructure, develop new technologies and capabilities, augment the business development team, and grow the scientific staff. The financing is intended to help Mosaic scale its service offerings and meet evolving partner needs in protein and antibody therapeutic discovery.

Led · Equity · Jan 2022

Built on the foundation of the San Diego Blood Bank, Excellos is a CDMO focused on supplying cGMP cellular products and services along with process development and manufacturing expertise for cell and gene therapy scientists and clinicians. It operates state-of-the-art cGMP and R&D facilities in San Diego and connects a broad collection network to those facilities to provide end-to-end capabilities for autologous and allogeneic cell therapies. Its collection network consists of nine SDBB centers that see an average of over 70,000 diverse donors annually, plus exclusive access to consented material from SDBB’s public cord blood bank and access to a nationwide collection network. Excellos has experience supplying material for CAR-T, TILs, and isolated immune cells that support immunotherapy development. The founding leadership team includes CEO David Wellis Ph.D., CCO George Eastwood, and CSO Rob Tressler Ph.D., each with prior senior roles at organizations such as SDBB, Illumina, HemaCare, Geron, and Cellerant. The company plans to develop a data-driven platform to characterize cellular therapeutics starting at the donor level and will use new funding to expand facilities and broaden capabilities.

Led · Equity · Nov 2021

Cell Microsystems develops and manufactures products for single-cell workflows, led by the CellRaft AIR System and CytoSort consumables. The System enables on-array image analysis and single-cell or clone isolation for CRISPR gene editing, clonal propagation, genomics, stem cell studies, organoids and other 3D cultures. Its products have been purchased by academic, government, and pharma research organizations across the U.S. and Europe. Following a $10M growth financing from Telegraph Hill Partners, the company will accelerate commercial activity, develop new products, and expand applications for single-cell characterization and isolation. Cell Microsystems plans to add hires in engineering, software systems, product applications, manufacturing, customer support, and commercial roles, significantly increasing headcount and capability. Telegraph Hill Partners will provide capital and strategic guidance, with THP partners joining the company's board to support expansion and commercial penetration.

Led · Equity · May 2020

Nivagen focuses on developing, acquiring, and in-licensing unique formulations to build a broad portfolio of difficult-to-formulate generic and branded prescription drugs. The company serves the North American market and emphasizes rapid commercialization of new products. Management says it is expanding domestic manufacturing capability to ensure consistent supply and accelerate time to market. Nivagen intends to use new capital for internal development and acquisition of additional generic and branded drugs. The company also is exploring strategies to develop or acquire U.S. manufacturing facilities to help alleviate supply disruptions. Management highlighted medicines that help patients impacted by COVID-19 as part of its growing product pipeline.