Participated · Series B · Nov 2021

Biolinq is a healthcare technology company developing precision intradermal biosensors to improve metabolic health. Its initial product is a wearable biosensor patch with an array of tiny electrochemical microsensors that measure glucose continuously just beneath the skin’s surface, providing real-time feedback via a color-changing indicator light on the upper forearm. The device is designed to combine glucose monitoring with activity and sleep information to support people with Type 2 diabetes not on insulin. Biolinq’s platform is positioned for future multi-analyte sensing capabilities and the company says it has spent the last decade developing the underlying technology. The company recently completed a US pivotal trial and submitted for regulatory review; its intradermal glucose sensor remains investigational and is not yet FDA cleared. A $100 million Series C will finance the company’s push from development toward commercial readiness as it pursues US regulatory approval; Biolinq is headquartered in San Diego. Biolinq develops a wearable patch that uses an array of tiny electrochemical microsensors placed in the intradermal space to measure glucose and relative activity from just beneath the skin surface. The device is designed for simplicity and user feedback, with an intuitive on-device display that notifies users when glucose is within or outside target ranges. Its sensor array is engineered for redundancy, reliability and multi-analyte capabilities without the use of introducer needles or bleeding. Biolinq describes the intradermal glucose sensor as investigational and not yet cleared or approved by the FDA. The company is headquartered in San Diego, CA. Proceeds from the completed financing will fund completion of a U.S. pivotal clinical trial this year and support a subsequent FDA submission. Biolinq is developing a wearable biosensor platform whose first product is a needle-free, intelligent continuous glucose sensor with a novel integrated display on the device. The device leverages semiconductor-industry innovation to miniaturize electrochemical sensors into a micro-array of miniature biosensors roughly 25 times smaller than conventional glucose sensors, enabling redundant measurements for reliability. Early feasibility studies demonstrated the microarray patch can track glucose continuously for up to seven days in people with diabetes. Biolinq’s approach includes multiplexed sensing capabilities and immediate biosensor feedback designed to simplify diabetes management and support future consumer health and wellness applications. The company is advancing clinical, regulatory, manufacturing and commercialization milestones to expand the sensing category. Financially, Biolinq completed a $100 million Series B financing, described as a record private capital raise in the continuous glucose monitoring space, with a broad syndicate of strategic and financial investors. Biolinq is developing a skin-applied, minimally-invasive electrochemical biosensor platform that analyzes interstitial fluid to provide actionable health information. Its first commercial product aims to let people with diabetes continuously monitor blood glucose without the pain and hassle of traditional continuous glucose monitoring systems. The platform is wirelessly enabled and designed to simultaneously measure multiple biomarkers, enabling a pipeline of biomonitoring products. Biolinq plans to use new financing to support growth of its technology platform and to fund additional clinical studies. The company completed its first clinical study in 2018 and reports promising initial clinical results. Biolinq was founded in 2012 and is located in San Diego. Biolinq develops a skin-applied, minimally-invasive electrochemical biosensor platform that analyzes biomarkers in interstitial fluid. Its wirelessly-enabled, nickel-sized biosensor patch is designed to continuously monitor multiple biomarkers and its first commercial product targets blood glucose monitoring without the pain and hassle of traditional CGM systems. The company emphasizes factory calibration (no finger sticks), low cost-of-goods, high manufacturing uniformity, and ease of use. Biolinq intends to leverage its novel manufacturing approach to increase access to CGM and simplify diabetes management. The platform’s ability to simultaneously measure multiple biomarkers supports plans to build a pipeline of additional biomonitoring products. Biolinq was founded in 2012 (as Electrozyme, LLC) and is located in San Diego.

Led · Equity · Nov 2019

TapRm enables breweries to sell beer online by finding and combining existing alcohol licenses so it can operate as both distributor and retailer. The company works with breweries to place product in more than 600 bars, restaurants and supermarkets and also builds branded websites so breweries can sell directly to consumers. TapRm operates its own online marketplace, provides beer recommendations across storefronts, and rewards breweries with $2–$8 back per case sold online to incentivize digital sales. Founder and CEO Jason Sherman previously worked as an attorney at Anheuser‑Busch and at its ZX Ventures incubator. The startup currently delivers throughout New York state, including two-hour delivery in Brooklyn, and plans to launch in three additional cities next year. TapRm has raised $1.5 million in funding led by The Broe Group with participation from VU Venture Partners, Branded Strategic Hospitality and others.

Participated · Series F · Oct 2014

Invitae is a San Francisco-based genetic information company whose mission is to bring genetic information into routine medical practice to improve the quality of healthcare. It specializes in genetic diagnostics for hereditary disorders and provides a single diagnostic test comprising over 200 genes for a variety of conditions across cancer, cardiology, neurology and pediatrics. The company aims to aggregate the world’s genetic tests into a single service with better quality, faster turnaround time, and lower price than many single-gene diagnostic tests. Invitae completed a $120 million Series F financing and said it will use the proceeds to accelerate the build-out of its infrastructure for its genetic information business and to expand its global presence. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as sole placement agent on the financing. New investors in the round included The Broe Group, Decheng Capital, Deerfield Management LLC, OrbiMed, Perceptive Advisors, Rock Springs Capital and Wellington Management Company, among others, with existing investors such as Casdin Capital and Genomic Health participating. The company has raised $207 million in total to date. Invitae develops clinical genetic tests for hereditary disorders across oncology, cardiology, neurology and pediatric medicine. The company is pursuing a strategy to aggregate all known medical genetic tests (over 3,000 Mendelian conditions) into a single, lower-cost assay. Invitae says it aims to make multi-use genetic testing more accessible and affordable and to transition from an era of genetic scarcity to genetic abundance. The company plans to expand its offering of genetic tests, build commercial capabilities, and enter international markets. Invitae completed a $40 million Series E to accelerate development of its clinical tests and support international expansion. To date it has raised $87 million from investors including Thomas McNerney & Partners, Genomic Health, Genesys Capital, Casdin Capital, Redmile Group and Randy Scott.