Charter Life Sciences

Charter Life Sciences, established in 1995, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Mountain View, California, with an additional office in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on product-oriented life sciences companies, including biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, and drug development. It primarily invests in the United States, with a particular focus on the West and Midwest regions. Charter Life Sciences typically invests between $1 million and $5 million initially, aiming to be the lead investor in early funding rounds such as Series A or B. The firm seeks board representation in its investments and prefers to exit through a sale or initial public offering (IPO). It targets companies with the potential to reach a $1 billion market capitalization within five years.

Barr Dolan

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

23 past transactions

Prevacept Infection Control

Venture Round in 2014
Prevacept Infection Control is a clinical-stage company focused on developing and commercializing products that prevent infections associated with indwelling catheters.

Xlumena

Series C in 2013
Xlumena, Inc. specializes in developing image-guided therapeutic endoscopy products designed to enhance minimally invasive medical procedures. The company offers a range of innovative solutions, including the AXIOS Stent and Delivery System for treating pancreatic pseudocysts, and the NAVIX Access Device, which also addresses this condition. Additionally, Xlumena has created a self-expanding anchor stent for bile duct stenting, an integrated system for reliable pseudocyst drainage, and a method for repairing hiatal hernias from within the gastrointestinal lumen. Founded in 2007 and based in Mountain View, California, Xlumena operates as a subsidiary of Boston Scientific Corporation since April 2015.

Amaranth Medical

Series B in 2013
Amaranth Medical, Inc. is a medical device company based in Mountain View, California, with research and manufacturing operations in Singapore and Silicon Valley. Founded in 2005, the company specializes in developing and manufacturing bioresorbable scaffolds for vascular and nonvascular applications. Its flagship product, FORTITUDE, is a bioresorbable coronary scaffold designed to assist arteries during the remodeling process after interventional procedures. These scaffolds utilize advanced polymer structure and processing technology, allowing them to gradually lose mechanical strength while maintaining vessel function and flexibility. Amaranth Medical aims to redefine interventional cardiology by providing versatile scaffolds that offer long-term clinical benefits without leaving behind permanent metal implants, thereby striving to establish a new global standard of care in stent interventions.

Minimally invasive devices

Series B in 2013
MID has developed the FloShield system, a franchise of products that substantially improve visualization during laparoscopic surgery. During laparoscopic surgery, it is common for condensation to form on the end of the laparoscope obscuring vision. It is also common for debris from the ultrasonic scalpel, cautery, or even blood products themselves to degrade the surgical view. Most commonly, surgeons will need to remove the laparoscope for manual cleaning. It was founded in 2006 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

Minimally invasive devices

Series B in 2013
MID has developed the FloShield system, a franchise of products that substantially improve visualization during laparoscopic surgery. During laparoscopic surgery, it is common for condensation to form on the end of the laparoscope obscuring vision. It is also common for debris from the ultrasonic scalpel, cautery, or even blood products themselves to degrade the surgical view. Most commonly, surgeons will need to remove the laparoscope for manual cleaning. It was founded in 2006 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

Xlumena

Series B in 2011
Xlumena, Inc. specializes in developing image-guided therapeutic endoscopy products designed to enhance minimally invasive medical procedures. The company offers a range of innovative solutions, including the AXIOS Stent and Delivery System for treating pancreatic pseudocysts, and the NAVIX Access Device, which also addresses this condition. Additionally, Xlumena has created a self-expanding anchor stent for bile duct stenting, an integrated system for reliable pseudocyst drainage, and a method for repairing hiatal hernias from within the gastrointestinal lumen. Founded in 2007 and based in Mountain View, California, Xlumena operates as a subsidiary of Boston Scientific Corporation since April 2015.

Prevacept Infection Control

Series B in 2010
Prevacept Infection Control is a clinical-stage company focused on developing and commercializing products that prevent infections associated with indwelling catheters.

Corepair

Series C in 2010
CoRepair is a company that develops a radio-frequency device system for the treatment of congestive heart failure.

CymaBay Therapeutics

Series E in 2009
CymaBay Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Newark, California, dedicated to developing therapies for liver and other chronic diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The company's lead product candidate, seladelpar, is a selective agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta, which has completed Phase II clinical studies targeting conditions such as primary biliary cholangitis and sclerosing cholangitis, as well as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Additionally, CymaBay is developing MBX-2982, a selective oral G protein-coupled receptor agonist aimed at treating gut and liver diseases. The company also has a preclinical candidate, CB-001, which targets omega-3 fatty acid receptors. CymaBay has entered into development and licensing agreements with other pharmaceutical firms to explore treatments for metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and gout. The company's commitment to advancing its pipeline reflects its focus on creating innovative medicines that can improve patient outcomes.

Revascular Therapeutics

Series B in 2009
Revascular Therapeutics is a medical device company that develops solutions for the intravascular treatment of complex lesions and total occlusions. Revascular develops percutaneous medical devices to reopen occluded vessels.

Visioneering Technologies

Venture Round in 2009
Visioneering Technologies, Inc., established in 2008 and based in Alpharetta, Georgia, is a medical device company specializing in the design, manufacture, and distribution of contact lenses. The company's flagship product, NaturalVue, is a multifocal contact lens designed to address presbyopia in adults and myopia in children. Visioneering operates in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Hong Kong, and Singapore, offering innovative optical solutions that enhance practitioner and patient experiences. The company's portfolio is backed by fourteen issued patents worldwide, reflecting its commitment to creative and differentiated design approaches. Visioneering's leadership team comprises industry veterans from clinical, marketing, engineering, manufacturing, and regulatory backgrounds, ensuring the best thinking in eye care is applied to develop and bring to market new solutions for presbyopia, myopia, and astigmatism.

APT Pharmaceuticals

Series B in 2008
APT Pharmaceuticals is a drug development company focused on repurposing well-characterized drugs for under-served populations. APT’s initial focus is on the pulmonary delivery of treatments for serious lung diseases.

Corepair

Series B in 2008
CoRepair is a company that develops a radio-frequency device system for the treatment of congestive heart failure.

APT Pharmaceuticals

Series A in 2007
APT Pharmaceuticals is a drug development company focused on repurposing well-characterized drugs for under-served populations. APT’s initial focus is on the pulmonary delivery of treatments for serious lung diseases.

Mirabilis Medical

Series A in 2007
Mirabilis Medical, Inc. is a medical device company based in Bothell, Washington, that specializes in the development and manufacture of ultrasound devices aimed at the non-invasive treatment of uterine fibroids, a common condition affecting women. Established in 2004, the company provides innovative solutions for gynecologists, utilizing high-resolution ultrasound imaging to accurately locate and treat fibroid tissue deep within the body without the need for incisions or punctures. This proprietary technology allows for effective ablation of pathological tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding areas, positioning Mirabilis Medical as a key player in the field of gynecological treatments.

KFx Medical

Series B in 2007
KFx Medical specializes in developing and manufacturing innovative soft tissue fixation implants tailored for orthopedic sports medicine. The company offers a range of products designed for tissue fixation, which can be directly placed into bones with or without sutures. These implants are applicable in various orthopedic surgical procedures, allowing surgeons to effectively reattach tissue in regions such as the shoulder, knee, foot, and ankle. KFx Medical collaborates closely with leading orthopedic surgeons to create advanced technologies and reliable surgical implants, ultimately aiming to improve surgical outcomes for patients.

CoMentis

Series B in 2006
CoMentis, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to the research, discovery, and development of small-molecule drugs aimed at treating neurovascular diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. The company is focused on creating nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulators to address cognitive disorders. Founded in 2004 as Athenagen, Inc., it underwent a name change to CoMentis in February 2007 after merging with Zapaq, Inc., which strengthened its position in the neurovascular disease sector. CoMentis is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.

Amaranth Medical

Series A in 2006
Amaranth Medical, Inc. is a medical device company based in Mountain View, California, with research and manufacturing operations in Singapore and Silicon Valley. Founded in 2005, the company specializes in developing and manufacturing bioresorbable scaffolds for vascular and nonvascular applications. Its flagship product, FORTITUDE, is a bioresorbable coronary scaffold designed to assist arteries during the remodeling process after interventional procedures. These scaffolds utilize advanced polymer structure and processing technology, allowing them to gradually lose mechanical strength while maintaining vessel function and flexibility. Amaranth Medical aims to redefine interventional cardiology by providing versatile scaffolds that offer long-term clinical benefits without leaving behind permanent metal implants, thereby striving to establish a new global standard of care in stent interventions.

Bullhorn

Series C in 2006
Bullhorn, Inc. is a leading provider of staffing and recruiting software designed for startups, small to medium-sized businesses, and large enterprises. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company offers a comprehensive suite of products, including applicant tracking systems, business intelligence tools, customer relationship management software, and onboarding solutions. These products facilitate the automation of the recruitment lifecycle, aiding in candidate sourcing, placement, and time and expense management, while also streamlining payment and billing processes. Bullhorn serves a diverse range of sectors, including professional staffing, healthcare, executive search, commercial, and nonprofit organizations. The company has expanded its presence internationally, with offices in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, and various locations in the United States and beyond, reflecting its commitment to delivering innovative solutions tailored to the needs of the staffing industry.

Kereos

Series B in 2005
Kereos, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, specializing in the development of targeted molecular imaging agents and therapeutics aimed at detecting and treating cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Established in 1999, Kereos utilizes a nanoscale drug delivery technology that enhances the targeting and efficacy of various therapeutic compounds, including existing drugs, new candidates, and those that may be too toxic or fragile for conventional delivery methods. The company's product portfolio includes KER-1001, a cancer therapeutic that combines paclitaxel with a targeted nanodroplet, KER-1002, which integrates a natural anti-tumor agent, and KER-1003, known for its anti-angiogenic properties. Additionally, Kereos offers diagnostic solutions such as KER 0001, designed to detect angiogenesis. The company also collaborates with pharmaceutical and imaging firms to further develop its MRI agents and targeted chemotherapeutics for solid tumors and cardiovascular applications.

KFx Medical

Series A in 2005
KFx Medical specializes in developing and manufacturing innovative soft tissue fixation implants tailored for orthopedic sports medicine. The company offers a range of products designed for tissue fixation, which can be directly placed into bones with or without sutures. These implants are applicable in various orthopedic surgical procedures, allowing surgeons to effectively reattach tissue in regions such as the shoulder, knee, foot, and ankle. KFx Medical collaborates closely with leading orthopedic surgeons to create advanced technologies and reliable surgical implants, ultimately aiming to improve surgical outcomes for patients.
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