• Codagenix

  Participated · Series B · Jan 2020

  Codagenix is a clinical-stage synthetic biology company focused on designing live-attenuated vaccines and viral therapeutics using codon deoptimization. The platform combines live-attenuated virus design with synthetic biology techniques to address infectious disease, cancer, and animal health. Led by CEO J. Robert Coleman and based in Farmingdale, New York, the company develops intranasal and universal vaccine candidates. Its lead clinical programs include CodaVax-RSV, an intranasal live-attenuated RSV vaccine candidate, and CodaVax-H1N1, a universal live-attenuated influenza vaccine currently in an ongoing Phase 1 study. The company also plans to expand its oncology program. The recent financing is intended to advance clinical development and support additional cohorts in ongoing studies. Codagenix is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Farmingdale, N.Y., that uses software to recode viral genomes to construct live-attenuated vaccines and oncolytic viruses. Its platform produces recoded vaccine candidates that match target viruses and induce immune responses to all viral antigens, and can be used to turn viruses into potential oncolytic immuno-oncology therapies. Led by CEO J. Robert Coleman, the company plans to use the Series B proceeds to advance clinical development of a live attenuated RSV vaccine for the elderly, a broadly-protective influenza vaccine, and an oncolytic therapy for triple negative breast cancer. Codagenix spun out of the laboratory of National Academy of Science member Eckard Wimmer at Stony Brook University in 2012. The company closed a $20m Series B and, together with Series A investments, has raised $38m to date; previous funders include Topspin Partners, The Stony Brook University Center for Biotechnology and U.S. government agencies. Codagenix is a Long Island, New York–based pre-clinical biotechnology company that develops live-attenuated vaccines using a software-based rational design algorithm which re-structures viral genomes into a sub-optimal genetic code. The company’s platform is built to produce ultra-low dose live-attenuated vaccines. Its pipeline includes influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), dengue, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), pathogenic E. coli and other targets. Codagenix was co-founded by Steffen Mueller (President and Chief Scientific Officer), J. Robert Coleman (Chief Operating Officer), and Stony Brook. The company intends to use newly raised funds to expand its vaccine targets and to support clinical testing of its ultra-low dose live-attenuated influenza vaccine. Financially, Codagenix completed a $2M Series A financing to advance these efforts.

• Rapt Therapeutics

  Participated · Series C · Jun 2019

  RAPT Therapeutics develops oral small-molecule therapeutics that modulate immune responses for oncology and inflammatory diseases using a proprietary discovery and development engine. The company’s lead oncology candidate, FLX475, is in clinical development targeting multiple cancers, and its lead inflammation candidate, RPT193 was expected to enter the clinic in the second half of 2019. Management expected proof-of-concept results in the first half of 2020 for FLX475 and in mid-2020 for RPT193 in atopic dermatitis. RAPT has rapidly discovered and advanced two unique CCR4-targeting drug candidates and is pursuing additional discovery targets including GCN2 and HPK1. The company is based in South San Francisco, Calif., and has been advancing its pipeline toward clinical readouts. FLX Bio is focused on discovery and development of orally-available small-molecule immuno-oncology drugs that target regulatory T cells and myeloid cells within the tumor microenvironment. Its lead candidate, FLX475, is a best-in-class oral CCR4 antagonist that the company has advanced into Phase 1 studies and recently dosed the first subject. FLX475 showed tumor growth inhibition and enhanced activity with checkpoint inhibitors in preclinical studies, and FLX Bio plans clinical testing alone and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. The company is also advancing programs against USP7 and GCN2, intending to select a USP7 clinical candidate in late 2018 and continue its GCN2 program. FLX Bio applies computational and translational biology for prospective patient selection and biomarker-driven precision medicine. The company is located in South San Francisco, Calif. FLX Bio is a South San Francisco, CA–based biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel cancer immunotherapies. Its pipeline includes FLX925, a selective inhibitor of FLT3 and CDK4/6 currently in Phase 1. The company intends to use the Series B proceeds to advance its pipeline and to conduct a proof-of-concept study of FLX925 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. FLX has raised a total of $79m to date, including the $50m Series B. Founded in 2015 by Brian Wong, M.D., Ph.D., the company originated from the acquisition of its predecessor Flexus Biosciences by Bristol-Myers Squibb. FLX says it has assembled a management and leadership team with substantial knowledge and expertise in the tumor microenvironment, drug discovery and translational areas.

• Constellation Pharmaceuticals

  Participated · Equity · Apr 2018

  Constellation Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel small-molecule therapies based on cancer epigenetics. The company’s two lead clinical programs are CPI-1205 and CPI-0610. It plans to use proceeds from its recent financing to advance multiple clinical trials across its portfolio, including the ProSTAR and ORIOn-E trials for CPI-1205, which aim to enhance androgen inhibitors in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and improve cancer immunotherapies in other solid tumors. Constellation also plans to progress CPI-0610 as a treatment for myelofibrosis, either as monotherapy or in combination with a JAK inhibitor. The company intends to advance a second-generation EZH2 program into the clinic and to identify additional experimental therapies from its epigenetics discovery platform. The announced $100 million financing gives Constellation additional flexibility and runway to pursue its clinical development plans. Constellation Pharma is a Cambridge-based epigenetics company developing inhibitors against BET proteins and the EZH2 histone lysine methyltransferase. Its lead asset, CPI-0610, has been in Phase 1 testing in lymphoma since September 2013 and the company has initiated two additional Phase 1 trials for multiple myeloma and for acute leukemias/myelodysplastic syndrome. The company was founded in 2008 and has received more than $50 million in funding to date; its last equity raise was in 2011. In 2012 Roche’s Genentech paid a $95 million up-front fee and secured an exclusive option to acquire Constellation while funding its research for a three-year period. Recently Constellation closed a $5 million internal round from existing investors and received a $1.5 million milestone payment from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society tied to the new studies. The company has ties to Third Rock Ventures and has received investment from The Column Group, Venrock, SR‑One and Altitude Life Science Ventures. Constellation Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops small-molecule therapeutics that target chromatin-based (epigenetic) mechanisms to treat cancer and inflammatory/immunologic disorders. The company’s discovery engine targets enzymes that modify chromatin structure and other chromatin-interacting proteins to restore normal gene expression. Constellation says its platform has produced multiple compelling drug candidates and the company has recently added R&D leadership and achieved key internal development milestones. Proceeds from the latest financing will be used to continue advancing product candidates toward clinical development. The company emphasizes selective, specific inhibitors as the path to new medicines across a broad range of diseases. Headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., Constellation positions itself as moving from discovery toward a product-focused, clinic-directed trajectory. Constellation Pharmaceuticals is a Cambridge, Massachusetts–based biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing drugs that target epigenetic regulation of the human genome. Its core approach centers on an epigenetics product engine used to probe multiple classes of novel drug targets involved in chromatin regulation and disease. The company intends to advance a pipeline of compounds toward the clinic. It raised $22M in a Series B financing to support those development plans. This financing brings the total capital raised in the two years since its founding to $54M. Proceeds will be used to advance development of its pipeline and continue applying its epigenetics platform across target classes.

• Alector

  Participated · Series D · Jan 2016

  Alector is a privately held biotechnology company developing therapies that harness the immune system to cure neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The company focuses on immuno-neurology and immuno-oncology programs, guided by human genetic studies implicating dysfunctional immune responses in neurodegeneration. Alector has identified a portfolio of drug candidates designed to restore normal immune function in the aging brain and counteract neurodegeneration. It has announced intended indications for three lead neurodegenerative candidates: AL001 for frontotemporal dementia (FTD); AL002, which targets TREM2 implicated in Alzheimer’s disease; and AL003, which targets SIGLEC-3, a prevalent Alzheimer’s risk factor. Alector plans to advance these clinical programs and expand its discovery platform. The company is headquartered in South San Francisco, California, and recently closed a $133 million Series E to fund its clinical and discovery efforts. Alector LLC is a biotech company pioneering the discovery and development of first-in-class immuno-modulatory therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The company combines state-of-the-art antibody technology with recent discoveries in neuro-immunology and human genetics to build a platform of therapeutics that harness the immune system to fight dementia and neurodegeneration. Alector’s approach is enabled by a strategic alliance with Adimab for discovery of fully human antibodies and bispecifics. The company aims to efficiently generate and validate antibody drugs that engage genetically validated neuro-immune targets and to advance promising candidates into the clinic. Alector says its strong cash position from recent financings gives it optionality to prioritize and partner across its portfolio while independently progressing drug candidates. The company is actively hiring immunologists and neurobiologists at all levels. Alector has built a platform of next-generation, immuno-modulating antibodies that mobilize the immune system to target multiple disease-causing pathologies in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. The company focuses on genetically validated targets and antibody drugs, enabled by a strategic alliance with Adimab for discovery of fully human antibodies and bispecifics. Co-founders include Asa Abeliovich, Arnon Rosenthal and Tillman Gerngross. Proceeds from the announced financing will be used to broaden Alector’s drug pipeline and advance its most promising candidates toward clinical trials. The company is actively hiring immunologists and neurobiologists to support its development efforts. The firm presented its approach as applying immuno-oncology–style immune mobilization to neurology. The press release was issued from San Francisco. Alector LLC focuses on discovering and developing novel therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias, and related neurodegenerative disorders. The company combines state-of-the-art antibody technology with recent discoveries in neuroimmunology and human genetics to generate and validate antibody drugs with unique functional properties. Alector has a strategic alliance with Adimab to support discovery and optimization of antibody therapeutics. The founding team includes Arnon Rosenthal, Tillman Gerngross, Asa Abeliovich, and Errik Anderson, who bring expertise in neuroscience, antibody discovery, and biotech management. Alector is developing leads for four major targets and anticipates taking two of these through preclinical development and IND-enabling studies within 24 months. The company recently closed a Series A financing to fund research and development on innovative targets.

• ORIC Pharmaceuticals

  Participated · Series B · Dec 2015

  Oric Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage oncology company discovering and developing novel therapies targeting treatment-resistant cancers. Its lead asset, ORIC-101, is a potent small-molecule inhibitor of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and is the subject of an ongoing Phase 1 study. The company plans to pursue clinical development of ORIC-101 in patients with treatment-resistant solid tumors, including combinations with immuno-oncology therapies and with chemotherapy. The Series C proceeds will support clinical studies of ORIC-101 and research across pipeline programs targeting mechanisms of resistance. After this financing, Oric has raised over $119M in equity capital to date. The company is led by CEO Richard Heyman, Ph.D., CSO Valeria Fantin, Ph.D., and CMO Leonard Reyno, M.D., and was founded by Charles Sawyers, M.D., and Scott Lowe, Ph.D., who are on the faculty at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Oric Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops small‑molecule drugs that target treatment‑resistant cancers. It is initially focusing on resistance mechanisms associated with androgen receptor (AR) therapies in advanced (castration‑resistant) prostate cancer. The company works to gain new clinical understanding of tumor resistance mechanisms at the molecular level and to replicate those mechanisms using laboratory‑based models to identify actionable drug targets with clear development pathways. Oric intends to use the proceeds from its recent financing to advance its first drug candidate into initial clinical trials and to further develop its pipeline. The company raised $53M in a Series B financing to support these plans. Oric was founded by Charles Sawyers, M.D., and Scott Lowe, Ph.D., and is led by interim CEO Richard Heyman, Ph.D., and CSO Valeria Fantin, Ph.D.

No current team members are available.