Participated · Series C · May 2024

Bluejay Therapeutics, led by CEO Dr. Keting Chu and based in San Mateo, CA, develops novel therapeutics for viral and liver diseases. Its lead program, BJT-778, is a fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBsAg mAb) being developed for chronic HBV and HDV. BJT-778 is designed to neutralize and clear HBV and HDV virions and deplete HBsAg-containing subviral particles to help reconstitute antiviral immunity and contribute to functional cure for chronic HBV. Bluejay is also advancing additional programs for chronic HBV, including a proprietary TLR9 agonist (Cavrotolimod) and a liver-targeted transcript inhibitor (BJT-628). The company aims to achieve higher rates of functional cure through these complementary approaches. No operating metrics were disclosed in the article. Bluejay Therapeutics is a private biopharmaceutical company focused on developing cures for infectious diseases, with an initial target of chronic hepatitis B. The company advances two lead programs designed to reduce HBsAg load and reconstitute antiviral immunity: BJT-778, a human anti-HBsAg monoclonal antibody, and BJT-574, an orally bioavailable small‑molecule HBsAg inhibitor. Funding from the Series B will support clinical development of BJT-778 to demonstrate proof‑of‑concept in CHBV patients and advance BJT-574 into first‑in‑human trials. Bluejay has initiated IND‑enabling studies for BJT-778 and reported preclinical in vivo data showing rapid depletion of peripheral HBsAg in a mouse model. The company recently strengthened its clinical leadership, recruiting Dr. Nancy Shulman as Chief Medical Officer and adding heads of clinical operations and regulatory affairs. With the new financing, Bluejay aims to generate clinical data toward regimens that could achieve a functional cure for chronic HBV.

Participated · Series B · Mar 2023

ArriVent Biopharma focuses on accelerating the global development of innovative biopharmaceutical products with an initial focus in oncology. Its lead product candidate, furmonertinib, is a highly brain-penetrant, mutant-specific EGFR kinase inhibitor. The company uses a deep and global network to access drug candidates at various development stages, including those from China and other emerging biotech hubs. ArriVent pursues strategic collaborations to globalize medicines for patients with unmet medical need across a broad range of diseases. Following a $155M Series B, the company intends to use proceeds to support pivotal Phase 3 and additional studies of furmonertinib and to fund future pipeline expansion. The company is led by CEO Bing Yao and added board appointees in conjunction with the financing. ArriVent Biopharma identifies therapeutics developed in China and other emerging biotech hubs and in-licenses ex-China rights to develop them for U.S., EU and other markets. Its current pipeline anchor is furmonertinib, an EGFR TKI recently approved in China for NSCLC, which ArriVent secured ex-China rights to from Allist Pharma. The company plans to submit an IND this year to study furmonertinib in EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients in the U.S. ArriVent aims to repeat the furmonertinib blueprint by seeking additional validated assets to expand its pipeline. Leadership includes CEO Bing Yao and co-founder/chief medical officer Stuart Lutzker, who will work to gather the clinical data needed for Western development. Financially, ArriVent has secured up to $150 million to fund these activities, including $90 million upfront and up to $60 million contingent on milestones.