The Venture Codex

Participated · Equity · Nov 2024

Vittoria Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing novel cell therapies for hard-to-treat diseases. Its lead program, VIPER-101, is a gene-edited, autologous dual-population T cell therapy designed to target CD5 for patients with T-cell lymphoma. VIPER-101 and other assets leverage the company’s proprietary Senza5 platform, which enhances T cell effector function by abrogating CD5-mediated immunosuppression and employs a rapid five-day manufacturing process. Senza5 has demonstrated outstanding preclinical anti-tumor efficacy across a range of liquid and solid tumor models, and the broader pipeline includes programs targeting solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. The company recently completed a $25 million private financing to support clinical proof-of-concept for VIPER-101. The VIPER-101 Phase 1 trial is actively recruiting patients (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06420089). The technology is exclusively licensed from the University of Pennsylvania, which also holds equity and has existing financial relationships with Vittoria.

Participated · Series B · Nov 2022

Zenas BioPharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Waltham, MA, focused on inflammation and immunology-directed (I&I) therapies. Led by CEO Lonnie Moulder, the company operates clinical development capabilities globally and is advancing a portfolio of autoimmune therapeutics. Its lead candidate, obexelimab, is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody designed to bind both CD19 and FcγRIIb to inhibit B cells, plasmablasts, and CD19-expressing plasma cells. Obexelimab is being evaluated across multiple programs, including a Phase 3 registration-directed trial in IgG4-Related Disease, two planned Phase 2 randomized controlled trials in Multiple Sclerosis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and an ongoing open-label Phase 2 in Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. The company intends to use new funding to advance ongoing mid- to late-stage clinical development programs for obexelimab and its broader I&I portfolio. Zenas BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing and commercializing immune-based therapies. Led by Lonnie Moulder and based in Waltham, MA, its lead candidate is obexelimab, an investigational phase III‑stage bifunctional antibody that inhibits CD19‑expressing B‑cell lineages without depleting the cells. Zenas acquired exclusive worldwide rights to obexelimab from Xencor. In early‑stage clinical studies obexelimab demonstrated inhibition of B‑cell function and produced an encouraging treatment effect in patients with multiple autoimmune diseases. The company plans to use new funding to initiate a global Phase 3 registration trial in patients with IgG4‑related disease in late 2022 and to progress other global autoimmune disease programs into clinical development in 2023. IgG4‑RD is described in the article as a chronic, serious fibroinflammatory disease that typically affects multiple organs.

Led · Equity · Aug 2021

Navrogen is a Cheyney, Pa.-based preclinical biotechnology company focused on discovering tumor-produced Humoral Immuno-Oncology (HIO) factors linked to suppressed humoral immunity and poor response to cancer therapies. The company employs proprietary screening and engineering technologies and diagnostic assays to identify patients whose tumors produce HIO factors. Its pipeline includes a lead HIO-refractory anti-mesothelin antibody drug conjugate, NAV-001, and NK cell activator platforms targeting HIO-suppressed cancers and immune-mediated diseases. Navrogen’s mission is to develop first-in-class agents that overcome the immunosuppressive effects of HIO factors and to advise physicians on therapeutic options via diagnostics. The company is led by CEO Nicholas Nicolaides, Ph.D., and intends to advance its HIO discovery platform and preclinical therapeutic programs with the newly raised capital. Financially, Navrogen completed a $3.0M equity financing to fund these activities. Navrogen is a Philadelphia-based biotechnology company focused on discovering tumor-produced Humoral Immuno-Oncology (HIO) factors associated with cancer prognosis and response to immune-mediated therapies. Its core approach centers on an HIO discovery platform and a preclinical therapeutic pipeline targeting specific HIO-factors. The company’s stated mission is to develop diagnostic assays to identify patients whose tumors produce HIO-factors to advise physicians on therapeutic options. It also aims to develop agents that can overcome the immunosuppressive effects of specific HIO-factors. Navrogen is led by CEO Nicholas Nicolaides, Ph.D., and CSO Luigi Grasso, Ph.D. Following the financing, the company will use the funds to support operations, its HIO discovery platform, and preclinical pipeline activities.

Participated · Series A · May 2021

Interius BioTherapeutics is a preclinical-stage gene therapy company based in Philadelphia focused on an in vivo cell-specific gene delivery platform. Its lead program aims to generate chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells directly in patients, bypassing ex vivo cell manipulations and the potentially toxic pre-conditioning chemotherapy used in standard CAR T treatments. The company says the platform is versatile and it is developing applications beyond immuno-oncology for diseases not amenable to current gene therapy modalities. Interius was co-founded by Dr. Saar Gill and Bruce Peacock and is led by CEO Phil Johnson, MD. The company intends to use new funding to expand its development efforts. No operating metrics were disclosed in the article.

Participated · Series A · Sep 2020

Aegle Therapeutics Corporation is an Arlington and Miami-based biotechnology company developing extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, secreted by mesenchymal stem cells as therapies for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and other severe dermatological conditions. Led by CEO Shelley Hartman, the company is developing AGLE-102 and anticipates entering the clinic with AGLE-102 in early 2021. Aegle completed a $6.5M Series A financing to advance its development programs. The company's core product approach centers on leveraging stem-cell–derived extracellular vesicles as therapeutic agents. Aegle also announced the appointment of Heidi Kempinski as Senior Vice President, Head of Operations; she brings over 25 years of global drug development experience, including roles at GSK and as an initial TESARO management team member.