Participated · Series A · Jul 2020

MBX Biosciences develops precision-engineered peptide therapies via its proprietary Precision Endocrine Peptide™ (PEP™) platform designed to extend time-action profiles, provide consistent tissue exposure, and enable less frequent dosing. Its lead candidate, MBX 2109, is a parathyroid hormone peptide prodrug currently in a Phase 2 trial for chronic hypoparathyroidism, with topline results expected in the third quarter of 2025. MBX 1416, aimed at post-bariatric hypoglycemia, is in a Phase 1 single- and multiple-ascending dose trial with topline data expected in the fourth quarter of 2024. The company also advances an obesity portfolio including MBX 4291, a long-acting GLP-1/GIP receptor co-agonist prodrug in IND-enabling studies, plus multiple discovery and preclinical candidates. MBX says proceeds from its recent financing will support operations into 2026 and fund progression of its clinical and early-stage programs. The company is based in Carmel, Indiana. MBX Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering Precision Endocrine Peptide (PEP) therapeutic candidates for endocrine disorders. Its lead candidate, MBX 2109, is a long-acting parathyroid hormone peptide prodrug designed for once-weekly dosing and is in a Phase 1 trial for hypoparathyroidism; MBX 2109 received FDA Orphan Drug designation in July 2022. Proceeds from the financing will support continued clinical advancement of MBX 2109, the preclinical program MBX 1416, and discovery programs in endocrine diseases. The company positions its PEP platform to overcome limitations of traditional peptide therapeutics by delivering sustained activity and improved pharmaceutical properties. MBX says its goal is to simplify disease management and improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with endocrine disorders. MBX is based in Carmel, Indiana. MBX Biosciences is a biotechnology company creating therapies for rare endocrine diseases with a focus on peptide therapeutics. The company advances a preclinical pipeline of peptide candidates directed at clinically validated molecular targets. MBX's platform and drug candidates are built on medicinal expertise and chemical technologies invented at the Indiana University laboratory of Professor Richard DiMarchi, who is co-founder and chief scientific officer. The company intends to advance its candidates toward clinical investigation to address endocrine disorders with substantial unmet medical need. MBX's leadership team, including president and CEO Kent Hawryluk, previously collaborated on successful endocrine drugs such as Humalog and Forteo. The company is based in Carmel, Indiana and is supported by leading life-science investors including Frazier Healthcare Partners, OrbiMed, and New Enterprise Associates. MBX Biosciences develops therapeutics aimed at rare endocrine disorders that the company says represent substantial unmet medical need. The company is pursuing initial discovery research to identify drug candidates with potential life‑saving properties against these disorders. MBX was founded by Indiana University Bloomington Distinguished Professor Richard DiMarchi, IUPUI alumnus Kent Hawryluk, and Tim Knickerbocker, and maintains several ties with Indiana University. The startup has an agreement to support research at the DiMarchi Laboratory in Bloomington and is a sponsor of IU‑based research. MBX completed an initial $2.5 million financing to fund its early discovery work. The leadership team has prior experience pairing on Marcadia Biotech and MB2, both acquired by large pharma, which the company cites as part of its institutional expertise.

Led · Equity · Jul 2009

Nico Corporation, led by president and CEO Jim Pearson, completed a $12.5M capital raise to support its clinical and commercial efforts. The round was led by RC Capital with participation from existing investors. The company intends to use the funds to scale the business and to leverage progress from a recently completed adaptive clinical trial for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and a new partnership in functional precision oncology for treatment‑resistant GBM. Nico develops MIS neurosurgical technologies that access deep brain abnormalities through the brain’s natural folds rather than by cutting through brain tissue. Its product family includes tools for safe removal of abnormalities or hemorrhages and technologies for biological preservation of tumor tissue for molecular profiling. That preservation capability is intended to enable improved accuracy for today’s precision medicine treatments. Nico develops technology for corridor surgery (cranial, ENT, spinal, and otolaryngology) where access to the surgical site is limited, centered on its FDA-cleared BrainPath® and Myriad® technologies. Its products address primary and secondary tumors and hemorrhagic stroke. The company plans to use the newly raised capital for new product development and commercialization, additional clinical studies in tissue collection and biological preservation for personalized medicine research initiatives, growth of sales and clinical teams, and geographic expansion initially within Europe. Nico closed $12.5m in the current funding round and has raised $49.5m since founding. The company is led by president and CEO Jim Pearson and currently has a presence in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, and Australia. Nico Corporation develops and manufactures neurosurgery medical devices focused on the BrainPath access, tissue removal and tissue preservation technologies for minimally disruptive corridor neurosurgery. Its instruments enable entry into limited-access surgical sites such as cranial, ENT, spinal and otolaryngology areas to treat primary and secondary brain tumors, vascular abnormalities and secondary bleeds. BrainPath was launched in 2012 and more than 3,000 BrainPath procedures have been performed to date. The company plans to use new financing to support continued growth and to perform a randomized controlled trial evaluating the clinical effectiveness of early surgical intervention using the BrainPath device following intracerebral hemorrhage. Financially, Nico secured an $8M credit facility to support these efforts. Founded in 2007, the company combines device development and clinical study efforts to expand adoption of minimally disruptive neurosurgical approaches. Nico Corporation designs medical devices and instruments intended to advance corridor surgery in cranial, ENT, spinal and otolaryngology procedures by enabling access through smaller openings and resection of soft tissue abnormalities. The company is led by president and CEO Jim Pearson. It completed a $15M investment to support its clinical and commercial initiatives. Proceeds will be used to advance clinical data through a randomized controlled trial and to expand customer training of Nico technology. Nico also plans to commercialize new products, expand beyond North America, and hire staff to support these initiatives. The company is based in Indianapolis. NICO Corp, based in Indianapolis, makes the NICO Myriad, a minimally invasive surgical tool designed to remove all soft tumor tissue in the central nervous system. The Myriad launched two months ago and is approved for adults and children. The device does not use heat, which the company says reduces heat-related damage to nearby nerves and blood vessels and gives surgeons better control for difficult tissue shaving around critical areas. NICO says the tool can cut procedure times. The company is two years old and has previously raised about $1.7 million in February to support the product. The recent financing is intended to increase production capacity and expand sales of the Myriad. CEO Jim Pearson stated the investments will allow NICO to ramp up production and provide new minimally invasive surgery options to patients.