Participated · Series C · Oct 2024

Evommune is a Palo Alto-based clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing treatments for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Led by CEO Luis Pena, its lead programs include EVO756, a potent, highly selective small-molecule antagonist of MRGPRX2, and EVO301, a long-acting serum albumin-binding injectable therapeutic fusion-protein targeting IL-18 signaling. EVO756 is implicated in mast cell activation and neuroinflammation and is being developed as a potentially targeted, safe oral therapy for multiple mast cell–mediated diseases. EVO301 is designed to neutralize IL-18 signaling to regulate inflammation across chronic inflammatory diseases. The company plans multiple Phase 2 studies of EVO756 and a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study of EVO301. Evommune raised $115M in a Series C and intends to use the proceeds to advance these lead clinical programs. Evommune is a private, clinical-stage R&D biotechnology company focused on treating inflammatory diseases. The company uses a human tissue–based approach to discover, develop, and deliver therapies intended to address symptoms and halt progressive disease. Led by President and CEO Luis Peña, Evommune pursues translational immunology research to advance its therapeutic candidates. Founded in 2020, the company is advancing its pipeline through clinical-stage development. Evommune recently expanded funding for its Series B round, strengthening its financial position for near-term work. The company intends to use the new funds to expand operations and broaden its business reach. Evommune is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing therapies to treat inflammatory diseases using a dynamic human tissue-based approach. Its prioritized pipeline includes EVO101, a novel small-molecule IRAK4 inhibitor currently in a Phase 2a proof-of-concept trial for atopic dermatitis, with data expected later this year. The company is also developing EVO756, a preclinical program that targets mast cells by selectively modulating MRGPRX2 to treat chronic spontaneous urticaria and interstitial cystitis. In addition, Evommune runs a discovery program targeting autoimmune diseases via PKCθ. The company intends to use the proceeds from its recent financing to support these three prioritized programs. Evommune was founded in 2020 and is led by President and CEO Luis Peña in Palo Alto, CA. Evommune is a private R&D company and innovation engine that uses the skin as a lens to uncover approaches for accelerating development of medicines across immunology and dermatology. The company has four investigational compounds in its pipeline, three of which were in‑licensed via an exclusive agreement with Dermira, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company. Evommune is led by co‑founders Luis Pena (President & CEO), Eugene A. Bauer, M.D. (Chief Medical Officer), and Hans Hofland, PhD (SVP of Research). The company says it is developing transformative therapies to treat patients with immune‑mediated and chronic inflammatory diseases. Evommune recently won the Gore Range Capital Skin Health Innovation Competition at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference, reflecting engagement with clinicians and industry thought leaders. The company plans to use its recent funding to continue research and development of its pipeline. Evommune applies a tissue‑based, skin‑centered approach and a novel screening platform to discover molecules aimed at treating chronic inflammatory and dermatologic diseases. The company is building a pipeline intended to include both discovery-stage and clinical‑stage development programs and has established academic and industry collaborations to support that work. Leadership includes industry veterans Luis Peña (CEO), Eugene A. Bauer, MD (CMO), Hans Hofland, PhD (SVP, research), and Janice Drew, MPH (SVP, product development), who previously held senior roles at Dermira. The team highlights a track record of rapid regulatory approvals and drug development across immunology and dermatology; Dermira was sold to Eli Lilly for approximately $1.1 billion in 2020. Evommune says the seed financing will be used to set up and drive execution of its longer‑term strategy to accelerate development of transformative medicines. The company was founded in 2020 and is headquartered in Los Altos, California.

Participated · Series A · Aug 2023

Georgiamune is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Gaithersburg, Md., focused on reprogramming immune signaling pathways to redirect the immune system against cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company announced FDA clearance of an IND for GIM-122, a dual-functioning monoclonal antibody. Georgiamune plans a first-in-human, open-label, phase 1/2 dose-escalation with enrichment and dose-expansion study to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and antitumor activity of GIM-122 as a single agent in adults with advanced solid malignancies who have failed checkpoint inhibitors. The company intends to initiate the phase 1/2 clinical trial in the second half of 2023. Led by founder and CEO Dr. Samir Khleif, Georgiamune will continue development of its first-in-class pipeline addressing high unmet needs in cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company recently completed a significant financing to support these clinical and discovery programs.

Participated · Series B · Jan 2022

Korro Bio, headquartered in Cambridge, previously relied on a single clinical-stage drug that has since failed in trials. In November, the company responded by laying off 34% of its workforce. Despite the setback, Korro Bio has now secured new financing that extends its cash runway. Management says the additional capital will enable the company to progress its remaining preclinical assets to the point of generating clinical data. No specific revenue figures or user metrics were disclosed in the article. The company’s near-term focus is therefore on rebuilding its pipeline and regaining momentum after last year’s operational restructuring.

Participated · Equity · Oct 2021

Founded in 2011 as Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd. by Byju Raveendran, BYJU'S offers interactive digital lessons and test-prep courses spanning grades 1-12 and exams such as IIT-JEE, NEET, CAT, and IAS. The company’s mobile app combines video‐based content and adaptive assessments to strengthen core concepts for more than 250 million school-age students across India. BYJU'S quickly attracted marquee global investors, helping it scale its subscription model and aggressively market its offerings. In 2018 it raised a large $540 million round that pushed its valuation to $3.6 billion, officially making it India’s first edtech unicorn. Key backers include Sequoia Capital, Tencent, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Sofina, Naspers Ventures, and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. While expanding, the company has faced headwinds; in May 2024 Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing filed an FIR alleging ₹46.90 crore of fraud related to student loan partnerships, naming founder-CEO Byju Raveendran and other directors. The combination of rapid growth, significant capital, and recent legal scrutiny positions BYJU'S at a critical juncture as it pursues further expansion and regulatory resolution.

Participated · Series B · Sep 2021

Lexeo Therapeutics is a genetic medicine company focused on transforming treatment for cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer's. The company is advancing genetic-medicine clinical programs and intends to use new capital to fund those programs. Lexeo closed a $95M private placement, selling shares at $15.13 per share, and entered into a registration rights agreement. Proceeds are earmarked for clinical programs and general corporate purposes and are expected to extend the company's runway into 2027. The financing brings Lexeo's total capital raised to $180M. Lexeo was founded in 2018, is based in New York, and has between 11 and 50 employees. LEXEO Therapeutics is a New York City–based, clinical-stage gene therapy company advancing AAV-based gene therapy candidates for genetically defined cardiovascular diseases and a genetically defined subgroup of Alzheimer’s disease. The company’s pipeline targets both larger-rare and more prevalent patient populations and claims potential to address up to one million patients in the United States across diverse cardiomyopathies. LEXEO’s foundational science stems from partnerships and exclusive licenses with Weill Cornell Medicine and the University of California, San Diego. The company is led by experienced genetic-medicine and rare-disease drug-development executives and is advancing a deep and diverse portfolio of candidates. LEXEO is positioning its programs for further development and collaboration to move candidates through clinical development and toward commercialization. LEXEO Therapeutics is a fully integrated clinical-stage company advancing adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapies for genetic cardiovascular conditions and central nervous system diseases. Its pipeline includes lead programs LX2006 (IV gene therapy for cardiomyopathy associated with Friedreich’s ataxia), LX1004 (CNS-administered therapy for CLN2 Batten disease), and LX1001 (CNS-administered therapy for APOE4-associated Alzheimer’s disease). The company also recently acquired cardiac gene therapy programs and is developing additional preclinical programs focused on the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease (LX1020 and LX1021). LEXEO reports having more than 15 AAV-mediated gene therapy programs in research and development. Proceeds from its recent financing will support continued preclinical pipeline expansion and advancement of its lead programs through clinical development toward meaningful data catalysts. The company was founded on a gene therapy research legacy at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Genetic Medicine. LEXEO Therapeutics is a New York City–based, fully integrated clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated treatments. The company's core pipeline includes three clinical-stage programs: LX2006 (IV AAV frataxin therapy for cardiomyopathy in Friedreich’s ataxia; Phase 1 start planned for 2021), LX1004 (CNS AAV CLN2 therapy; Phase 1/2 completed) and LX1001 (CNS AAV APOE2 therapy for APOE4 homozygotes; Phase 1 ongoing). Clinical data published for LX1004 in Science Translational Medicine showed a single administration slowed CLN2 disease progression and was well tolerated over an 18-month study period. LEXEO’s preclinical portfolio spans monogenic, hereditary and acquired diseases and includes up to 15 additional potential AAV programs primarily developed at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Genetic Medicine. The company intends to advance clinical programs through to commercialization while maintaining an ongoing research collaboration with Weill Cornell. LEXEO launched with an $85 million Series A to advance its lead investigational programs and is headquartered at the Alexandria Center for Life Science in New York City.