Alexandria

Alexandria Venture Investments, LLC is a venture capital firm established in 1996 and headquartered in Pasadena, California. As the strategic investment arm of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, it focuses on providing capital to seed, early-stage, and growth-stage companies within the healthcare sector. The firm emphasizes investments in biopharma, diagnostics, life sciences, research tools, agrifoodtech, and agtech. Alexandria Venture Investments aims to support innovative entities developing breakthrough technologies and therapies, leveraging its extensive industry knowledge and relationships with leading investors. Its approach is characterized by a commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the life sciences and technology sectors.

Thomas Andrews

Co-President & Regional Market Director

John Cox

Senior Vice President - Regional Market Director

John H. Cunningham

Executive Vice President - Regional Market Director

Larry Diamond

Co-Chief Operating Officer & Regional Market Director

Joel Marcus

Head of Alexandria Venture Investments

Todd Miller

Senior Vice President -Regional Leasing & Asset Services

Hunter Reed

Senior Associate

Daniel J. Ryan

Co-CIO

Oliver Sherrill

Senior Vice President - Regional Market Director

Past deals in New England

Myeloid Therapeutics

Series A in 2023
Myeloid Therapeutics is an immunology company focused on combining immunologic insights with cutting-edge technologies to harness myeloid cells to eradicate cancer and other diseases. The Company's ATAKTM platform technology can be broadly applied, and it is initially advancing a cell therapy program for T cell lymphoma and a primed monocyte approach to treat glioblastoma. The ATAK platform is scalable to multiple treatment modalities and other disease areas in collaboration with partners.

Garuda Therapeutics

Series B in 2023
Garuda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on creating off-the-shelf hematopoietic stem cell therapies aimed at treating various severe and life-threatening conditions. The company specializes in addressing blood, bone marrow, immune, and metabolic diseases. By leveraging expertise in innovative research methods, including the use of zebrafish, mice, and human-induced pluripotent stem cells, Garuda analyzes novel genes and mechanisms vital for blood formation. This approach enables the development of mechanism-based therapies designed to improve patient outcomes.

DEM BioPharma

Series A in 2022
DEM BioPharma is an immuno-oncology company that is working to eradicate cancer by targeting novel innate immune system checkpoints.

Remix Therapeutics

Series B in 2022
Remix Therapeutics Inc. engages in the biotech research and development business. It discovers and develops various novel therapeutic RNA processing modulators to target various undruggable disease drivers. The company also offers biology platform to identify and prioritize targets with therapeutically-tractable intervention points in RNA processing. Its REMseq platform validates targets and chemical matter discovery and optimization. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Parthenon Therapeutics

Series A in 2021
Parthenon Therapeutics is inventing a novel class of anti-cancer therapies that reprogram the tumor microenvironment (TME). The interplay between cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment is relevant in drug development as manycancers use the TME to build barriers that shield immune system attack. One approach, PRTH-101, breaks these barriers to overcome recalcitrant cancers. Based on research, the company is designing a portfolio of drug candidates to treat the right patients at the right time.

Kytopen

Series A in 2021
Kytopen Corp. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on advancing cell therapy through its innovative Flowfect technology. Established in 2017, Kytopen specializes in non-viral delivery systems for molecules into challenging immune cells that are typically hard to transfect. The company utilizes a combination of microfluidics and automation to streamline the delivery process, making it faster, more efficient, and cost-effective. By employing a unique platform that integrates continuous fluid flow with electric fields, Kytopen enables researchers to produce high-quality engineered cells in a matter of minutes while preserving their health and functionality. This approach supports the discovery of novel biological insights and the development of affordable cell and gene therapies.

ROME Therapeutics

Series B in 2021
ROME Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Established in 2019, ROME Therapeutics is pioneering the exploration of the repeatome, which consists of extensive regions of genetic material previously considered "junk DNA." The company has identified several drug targets and is actively advancing multiple discovery programs. To facilitate its research, ROME has assembled a team of experts across various disciplines, including oncology, immunology, virology, and machine learning, to harness this uncharted area of biology for therapeutic advancements.

Disc Medicine

Series B in 2021
Disc Medicine, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics based on human genetics to address ineffective red blood cell production in hematologic diseases. The company specializes in programs targeting the hepcidin metabolism axis for the treatment of disorders related to hepcidin. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Disc Medicine is led by a team of experienced scientists and industry experts, supported by a panel of advisors with a proven history in discovering and developing innovative therapies. The company was established with backing from Atlas Venture, along with contributions from Novo Ventures and Access Biotechnology.

ImmuneID

Series A in 2021
ImmuneID is a precision immunology company using its proprietary platform to simultaneously identify and therapeutically target millions of antibody interactions that drive immune diseases.

Senda Biosciences

Series B in 2021
Senda Biosciences is pioneering the field of Intersystems Biology to create novel treatments for human disease. Intersystems Biology focuses on how molecular connections between botanical, bacterial, and human cells—coevolved over millennia—define health and disease. Senda's Intersytems Biology discovery platform, built using new techniques in machine learning and computational biology, has been able to generate novel, actionable insights into the trillions of interspecies molecular connections in the human body, and harnesses the power of this "pharmacy within us" with novel pharmacological approaches. The power of the Senda platform is illustrated by six preclinical programs in oncology, neurology, chronic disease, and metabolic disease.

Kojin Therapeutics

Series A in 2021
Founded by Stuart Schreiber, Benjamin Cravatt, Stephanie Dougan, and Vasanthi Viswanathan, Kojin is accelerating a drug discovery platform that connects complex cell states to known biochemical processes such as ferroptosis, or iron-dependent cell death, and enables the development of selective therapies for a broad range of hard-to-treat diseases. The company’s investors include Polaris Partners, Newpath Partners, Cathay Health, Leaps by Bayer, AbbVie Inc., Eventide Asset Management, Alexandria, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute venture firm, Binney Street Capital.

Invaio Sciences

Series C in 2021
Invaio Sciences, Inc. is a Flagship Pioneering Company startup in Cambridge. They are at the forefront of developing novel technologies based on groundbreaking science with an intent to positively impact their planet by enabling the application of breakthrough solutions in agriculture, human health, animal nutrition and animal health.

Inari

Series D in 2021
Inari Agriculture, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing customized seeds through CRISPR gene editing technology, aimed at optimizing crop growth in diverse environmental conditions. Founded in 2016 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Inari focuses on crops such as wheat, soybean, and corn, addressing significant agricultural challenges like climate change. The company employs advanced multiplex gene editing and predictive design to create efficient and sustainable plant breeding solutions, thereby reducing the time and cost associated with traditional breeding methods. Inari's approach aims to enhance agricultural productivity while respecting environmental sustainability, and it collaborates with a diverse team of scientists and partners globally to drive innovation in the agricultural sector.

Ventus Therapeutics

Series B in 2021
Ventus Therapeutics U.S., Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Natick, Massachusetts, with an additional location in Montreal, Canada. Founded in 2019, it focuses on discovering and developing novel small-molecule medicines that target the innate immune system to address autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. The company employs a structural immunology platform that integrates protein engineering to elucidate molecular structures and mechanisms of action. This platform facilitates the development of precise binding and functional screening assays, as well as structure-based modeling. Ventus Therapeutics is advancing an emerging pipeline of drug programs aimed at key targets within the innate immune system, leveraging its proprietary capabilities in rational and structure-based drug design.

Alloy Therapeutics

Series C in 2021
Alloy Therapeutics makes medicine by democratizing access to foundational drug discovery platforms and services. Alloy-Gx, its first platform, is a royalty-free suite of immunocompetent transgenic mice enabling best-in-class in vivo human antibody discovery. Founded in 2017, Alloy Therapeutics is headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts.

SeQure DX

Venture Round in 2021
SeQure DX is in the business activities at non-commercial site business. It was founded in 2020 and is based in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Ensoma

Series A in 2021
Ensoma is expanding the reach of the curative power of genomic medicine by pioneering a next-generation in vivo approach using its Engenious™ vectors. Ensoma’s vectors are designed to deliver a diverse range of gene modification technologies without the need for stem cell collection or prior myeloablative conditioning (e.g., chemotherapy). As a result, Ensoma’s therapies can be delivered as a single injection in a diverse range of settings, including outpatient and settings where access to sophisticated healthcare systems may be limited.

Myeloid Therapeutics

Series A in 2021
Myeloid Therapeutics is an immunology company focused on combining immunologic insights with cutting-edge technologies to harness myeloid cells to eradicate cancer and other diseases. The Company's ATAKTM platform technology can be broadly applied, and it is initially advancing a cell therapy program for T cell lymphoma and a primed monocyte approach to treat glioblastoma. The ATAK platform is scalable to multiple treatment modalities and other disease areas in collaboration with partners.

Faze Medicines

Series A in 2020
Faze Medicines, a pharmaceutical company, develops interventions against driver of disease pathology. It develops small molecule drugs for initial therapeutic focus areas, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and myotonic dystrophy type 1. The company was founded in 2020 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Remix Therapeutics

Series A in 2020
Remix Therapeutics Inc. engages in the biotech research and development business. It discovers and develops various novel therapeutic RNA processing modulators to target various undruggable disease drivers. The company also offers biology platform to identify and prioritize targets with therapeutically-tractable intervention points in RNA processing. Its REMseq platform validates targets and chemical matter discovery and optimization. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Vigil Neuroscience

Series A in 2020
Vigil will use the Series A funds to progress its lead pipeline candidate, a monoclonal antibody TREM2 agonist, through Phase 1 studies, advance their small molecule TREM2 agonist to IND, as well as pursue additional assets to grow the pipeline and increase the body of data supporting microglia biology as an important therapeutic pathway.

Korro Bio

Series A in 2020
Korro Bio Inc. specializes in the development of nucleic acid-based therapeutics aimed at targeting specific sequences in genetic code, with a focus on treating rare diseases. Founded in 2018 and located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes a proprietary platform that enables efficient and selective RNA editing by leveraging natural processes found in multi-cellular organisms. This innovative approach allows Korro Bio to edit messenger RNA and recode specific codons, facilitating targeted modifications in protein structure and function across various tissues.

Vesigen, Inc.

Series A in 2020
Vesigen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapeutic products that utilize extracellular vesicle delivery technology to target intracellular sites. Founded in 2020 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company employs its proprietary ARMMs technology to facilitate the direct delivery of various payloads, including RNAs, proteins, and gene-editing complexes, into the cytoplasm of target cells. This approach aims to overcome the challenges associated with intracellular drug delivery, thereby broadening the range of potential druggable targets and enabling the creation of novel treatments for various diseases. Vesigen's mission is to address unmet medical needs through its advanced therapeutic solutions.
Frequency Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Woburn, Massachusetts, dedicated to leveraging the body's natural biology to repair or reverse damage from various degenerative diseases. The company employs a unique Progenitor Cell Activation approach, utilizing combinations of small molecules to stimulate progenitor cells to regenerate functional tissue. Its lead product candidate, FX-322, is currently undergoing phase 2a clinical trials aimed at addressing the underlying causes of sensorineural hearing loss. In addition to hearing loss, Frequency Therapeutics is developing therapies for a variety of degenerative conditions, including multiple sclerosis and ailments affecting muscle, skin, gastrointestinal tract, and bone health. The company has also established a collaboration agreement with Astellas Pharma for the development and commercialization of FX-322. Founded in 2014, Frequency Therapeutics is focused on disease modification through innovative therapeutic strategies.

Vor Biopharma

Series B in 2020
Vor Biopharma, Inc. develops engineered hematopoietic stem cell (eHSC) therapies for cancer patients. It offers VOR33, an eHSC product candidate that is in preclinical development to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The company’s VOR33 eHSCs lacks CD33, a protein that is expressed by AML cancer cells. Vor Biopharma, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

MOMA Therapeutics

Series A in 2020
MoMa Therapeutics, Inc. discovers precision medicines by targeting the molecular machines that underlie human disease. MoMa Therapeutics, Inc. was formerly known as ATPases NewCo, Inc. and changed its name to MoMa Therapeutics, Inc. in March 2020. The company was founded in 2019 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Affinia Therapeutics

Series A in 2020
Affinia Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing gene therapies for various diseases, particularly those affecting muscle and the central nervous system (CNS). Founded in 2019 and based in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company specializes in creating rationally designed adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. By integrating synthetic and systems biology with high-throughput screening and advanced resolution techniques, Affinia Therapeutics aims to address significant unmet medical needs. The company’s innovative approach allows for the development of novel gene therapies with enhanced properties, targeting the treatment of devastating diseases and improving the lives of affected individuals.

Triplet Therapeutics

Series A in 2019
Triplet Therapeutics, Inc. develops therapeutics and treatments for triplet disorders. It develops treatment for repeat expansion disorders, including Huntington’s disease, myotonic dystrophy, and spinocerebellar ataxias. Triplet Therapeutics, Inc. was formerly known as rzna, Inc. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Immunitas Therapeutics

Series A in 2019
Immunitas Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing targeted therapeutics for cancer patients through innovative single cell analyses. Founded in 2019, the company utilizes a single cell sequencing platform to explore the biology of immune cells within human tumors, aiming to identify novel drug targets and key biomarkers that can improve patient selection for treatment. By emphasizing research rooted in human biology, Immunitas seeks to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications, addressing longstanding challenges in oncology. The company is advancing several programs toward early human studies, leveraging expertise in antibody discovery and engineering to create effective therapies that can modulate specific cancer targets.

Verseau Therapeutics

Venture Round in 2019
Verseau is creating a new class of therapeutics, macrophage checkpoint modulators, to benefit patients with cancer, immune and inflammatory diseases. The company's modulators identify novel targets and develop therapies that shift macrophages between immune activators and silencers in disease, enabling physicians to benefit patients from immunotherapy.

Aitia

Series D in 2019
GNS Healthcare is a big data analytics company that focuses on discovering what works in the healthcare industry and for whom. They focus on advancing and applying industrial-scale data analytics to empower key healthcare stakeholders to solve complex care, treatment, and cost challenges. It was founded in 2000 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Imara

Series B in 2019
Imara, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Boston, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapeutics for patients with rare genetic disorders of hemoglobin, particularly sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. Founded in 2016, the company is advancing IMR-687, a once-daily oral therapy designed to be a potent small molecule inhibitor of PDE9. This therapeutic aims to address the significant health challenges associated with these conditions, which can lead to reduced healthy red blood cells and various complications. Imara was established following a collaboration between Cydan Development and H. Lundbeck A/S, with initial funding from notable life science investors.

Karuna Therapeutics

Series B in 2019
Karuna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. engages in development of drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Dewpoint Therapeutics

Series A in 2019
Dewpoint Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotech company focused on researching biomolecular condensates and their role in cellular function. Established in 2018 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, the company aims to develop innovative treatments for a range of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, immunology, cardiovascular conditions, women’s health, and virology. Dewpoint Therapeutics utilizes a novel drug platform that specifically targets biomolecular condensates to advance its therapeutic solutions.

Frequency Therapeutics

Series B in 2019
Frequency Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Woburn, Massachusetts, dedicated to leveraging the body's natural biology to repair or reverse damage from various degenerative diseases. The company employs a unique Progenitor Cell Activation approach, utilizing combinations of small molecules to stimulate progenitor cells to regenerate functional tissue. Its lead product candidate, FX-322, is currently undergoing phase 2a clinical trials aimed at addressing the underlying causes of sensorineural hearing loss. In addition to hearing loss, Frequency Therapeutics is developing therapies for a variety of degenerative conditions, including multiple sclerosis and ailments affecting muscle, skin, gastrointestinal tract, and bone health. The company has also established a collaboration agreement with Astellas Pharma for the development and commercialization of FX-322. Founded in 2014, Frequency Therapeutics is focused on disease modification through innovative therapeutic strategies.

Tiburio Therapeutics

Series A in 2019
Tiburio Therapeutics is a developer of drug compounds intended to treat tumors and endocrine diseases.The company's compounds aid in the treatment of non-functioning pituitary adenoma using a dopamine-somatostatin chimeric molecule that has the potential to shrink or halt tumor growth, providing patients with effective treatment for rare neuroendocrine tumors and endocrine diseases.

Relay Therapeutics

Series C in 2018
Relay Therapeutics is a clinical-stage precision medicines company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on transforming the drug discovery process, particularly in targeted oncology. The company employs an innovative allosteric drug-discovery platform that integrates computational techniques with experimental methods to analyze protein motion and interactions. This approach aids in the development of therapies for complex diseases, including cancer. Relay's product candidates include RLY-1971, an oral small molecule inhibitor targeting SHP2, currently undergoing Phase 1 trials for advanced solid tumors; RLY-4008, a selective inhibitor of FGFR2 for tumors with specific oncogenic alterations; and RLY-PI3K1047, which targets cancer-associated mutant variants of phosphoinositide 3-kinase alpha. Founded in 2015, Relay Therapeutics is dedicated to enhancing small molecule therapeutic discovery through its advanced platform and targeted treatment strategies.

Caraway Therapeutics

Series A in 2018
Rheostat’s mission is to invent novel treatments for neurodegenerative disease through modulation of mitophagy and autophagy. They believe that the degradation of toxic cellular components, whether they are damaged organelles or aggregated proteins, is a fundamental node of biology. Mutations that impair these clearance pathways cause multiple neurodegenerative diseases, many of which are associated with cognitive impairment. They aim to leverage our understanding of these critical pathways to discover and develop novel small molecules that will restore cellular balance and treat neurodegenerative and rare diseases.

Stoke Therapeutics

Series B in 2018
Stoke Therapeutics, Inc., an early-stage biopharmaceutical company, develops novel antisense oligonucleotide medicines to treat the underlying causes of severe genetic diseases. Its lead product candidate, STK-001 used to treat Dravet syndrome, a severe and progressive genetic epilepsy. Stoke Therapeutics, Inc. has a partnership with Invitae Corporation to offer genetic testing. The company was formerly known as ASOthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and changed its name to Stoke Therapeutics, Inc. in May 2016. Stoke Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts.

Inari

Series B in 2018
Inari Agriculture, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing customized seeds through CRISPR gene editing technology, aimed at optimizing crop growth in diverse environmental conditions. Founded in 2016 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Inari focuses on crops such as wheat, soybean, and corn, addressing significant agricultural challenges like climate change. The company employs advanced multiplex gene editing and predictive design to create efficient and sustainable plant breeding solutions, thereby reducing the time and cost associated with traditional breeding methods. Inari's approach aims to enhance agricultural productivity while respecting environmental sustainability, and it collaborates with a diverse team of scientists and partners globally to drive innovation in the agricultural sector.
Compass Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and discovering therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The company's lead product candidate, CTX-471, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that acts as an agonist of CD137, currently undergoing Phase I clinical trials for patients who have had inadequate responses to existing PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors. In addition to CTX-471, Compass is advancing several preclinical assets, including CTX-8371, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and PD-L1, and CTX-8573, designed to engage natural killer (NK) cells against B cell maturation antigen, which is prevalent in multiple myeloma. Founded in 2014, Compass Therapeutics is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and employs innovative platforms to enhance the efficacy of its antibody therapeutics.

ORIG3N

Series B in 2018
ORIG3N, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative treatments for rare genetically inherited diseases, particularly affecting the heart, liver, and neurodegenerative conditions. Founded in 2014 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, ORIG3N utilizes induced pluripotent stem cell technology, enabling the differentiation of cells into any type found in the body. This technology serves multiple purposes, including drug efficacy testing, medication toxicity screening, and facilitating personalized treatment approaches. The company's product offerings include LifeProfiles, a suite of genetic tests such as FITCODE, which provides insights into fitness-related traits; the Run DNA test for optimizing running performance; AURA, which assesses skin health; and Life Capsule, a repository for blood cells aimed at regenerative medicine development.

Skyhawk Therapeutics

Venture Round in 2018
Skyhawk Therapeutics is a provvider of small molecule therapeutics designed to offer therapies that correct RNA expression.The company's therapeutics use proprietary technology that helps the rational design of small molecules that target specific binding pocket regions on RNA, using both sequence and structural specificity, at particular moments in the RNA splicing process, enabling physicians to target diseases driven by a type of RNA mis-splicing called exon skipping.

Celsius Therapeutics

Series A in 2018
Celsius Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that focuses on the development and research of innovative drugs. Established in 2017, the company utilizes single-cell genomic analysis and machine learning to gain insights into the cellular ecosystems of diseases. This approach allows Celsius Therapeutics to identify critical biomarkers that can enhance patient care and contribute to the creation of transformative medicines. The company's commitment to advancing the understanding of complex diseases positions it as a key player in the biotechnology sector.

QurAlis

Seed Round in 2018
QurAlis Corporation is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing precision therapeutics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurological diseases. Established in 2016 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, QurAlis aims to address the genetic underpinnings of ALS, leveraging its proprietary platforms and biomarkers to create targeted treatments. The company's pipeline includes innovative therapies designed to restore dysfunctional cellular processes, treat overactive neurons, and eliminate toxic proteins associated with the disease. By concentrating on genetically validated targets, QurAlis seeks to advance antisense oligonucleotides and small molecule programs that can effectively manage various subtypes of ALS, ultimately working to halt disease progression and improve patient outcomes. QurAlis operates as a subsidiary of Q-State Biosciences, Inc.

Moderna

Series G in 2018
Moderna, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2010. It specializes in the development of therapeutics and vaccines utilizing messenger RNA technology, which instructs cells to produce proteins essential for various biological functions. The company's extensive pipeline includes 40 mRNA development candidates targeting a range of therapeutic areas such as infectious diseases, oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and rare genetic disorders. Moderna gained significant recognition with its COVID-19 vaccine, which was authorized for use in the United States in December 2020. The company maintains strategic partnerships with organizations such as AstraZeneca, Merck & Co., and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, enhancing its research capabilities and manufacturing processes. Additionally, it has research collaborations with esteemed institutions like Harvard University.

Skyhawk Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2018
Skyhawk Therapeutics is a provvider of small molecule therapeutics designed to offer therapies that correct RNA expression.The company's therapeutics use proprietary technology that helps the rational design of small molecules that target specific binding pocket regions on RNA, using both sequence and structural specificity, at particular moments in the RNA splicing process, enabling physicians to target diseases driven by a type of RNA mis-splicing called exon skipping.

Aura Biosciences

Series C in 2017
Aura Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing therapies to target and destroy cancer cells using viral nanoparticle conjugates. The company’s lead product, AU-011, utilizes viral nanoparticles modeled on the human papillomavirus, conjugated with infrared-activated small molecules, specifically for the treatment of ocular melanoma, a primary eye cancer. By employing nanotechnology, Aura aims to safely eliminate cancer locally, particularly in early-stage cases, to prevent progression to more severe forms of the disease, such as metastasis to the liver. Additionally, the company is advancing its bel-sar candidate for treating primary choroidal melanoma and exploring applications in bladder cancer. Founded in 2007, Aura Biosciences is committed to developing precision immunotherapies that preserve the function of organs affected by cancer.

Relay Therapeutics

Series B in 2017
Relay Therapeutics is a clinical-stage precision medicines company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on transforming the drug discovery process, particularly in targeted oncology. The company employs an innovative allosteric drug-discovery platform that integrates computational techniques with experimental methods to analyze protein motion and interactions. This approach aids in the development of therapies for complex diseases, including cancer. Relay's product candidates include RLY-1971, an oral small molecule inhibitor targeting SHP2, currently undergoing Phase 1 trials for advanced solid tumors; RLY-4008, a selective inhibitor of FGFR2 for tumors with specific oncogenic alterations; and RLY-PI3K1047, which targets cancer-associated mutant variants of phosphoinositide 3-kinase alpha. Founded in 2015, Relay Therapeutics is dedicated to enhancing small molecule therapeutic discovery through its advanced platform and targeted treatment strategies.

Obsidian Therapeutics

Series A in 2017
Obsidian Therapeutics is a developer of a next-generation cell and gene therapies created to extend adoptive immunotherapy to every patient with cancer.The company's next-generation cell and gene therapies with pharmacologic operating systems provide exquisite control of protein activity in cells and create adoptive cell therapies with new functions that are under control of the treating physician using simple, safe, orally-active, marketed drugs, enabling patients to improve on the current generation of cell therapies.

Cydan

Venture Round in 2017
Cydan Development, Inc. is a company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for orphan and rare diseases, with a particular emphasis on rare genetic disorders. Founded in 2012 and located in Lincoln, Massachusetts, Cydan functions as an orphan drug accelerator, identifying and de-risking compounds with therapeutic potential. The organization conducts comprehensive studies to support the further development of treatments by biotechnology firms. Cydan has worked on therapies for conditions such as Niemann-Pick Disease Type C and IMR-687 for sickle cell disease. The company leverages strong relationships with academic institutions and patient advocacy groups, along with deep expertise in drug development, to foster successful product commercialization and advance treatment options for underserved patient populations.

Evelo Biosciences

Series B in 2017
Evelo Biosciences is a biotechnology company focused on developing oral biologics, specifically monoclonal microbials, for treating a range of inflammatory diseases and cancers. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company is advancing several candidates through various stages of clinical development. EDP1815, currently in a Phase 1b clinical study, aims to treat psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, while other candidates in pre-clinical stages target conditions such as psoriatic arthritis, asthma, and neuro-inflammatory diseases. Additionally, EDP1503 is undergoing Phase 1/2 trials for colorectal cancer and other malignancies. By utilizing naturally occurring monoclonal microbials, Evelo seeks to revolutionize drug discovery and development, offering a new approach to modulating systemic immunology and biology through oral delivery. This innovative platform has the potential to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of treatments across various health conditions.

Imara

Series A in 2016
Imara, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Boston, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapeutics for patients with rare genetic disorders of hemoglobin, particularly sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. Founded in 2016, the company is advancing IMR-687, a once-daily oral therapy designed to be a potent small molecule inhibitor of PDE9. This therapeutic aims to address the significant health challenges associated with these conditions, which can lead to reduced healthy red blood cells and various complications. Imara was established following a collaboration between Cydan Development and H. Lundbeck A/S, with initial funding from notable life science investors.

Yumanity Therapeutics

Series A in 2016
Yumanity Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to transforming drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases linked to protein misfolding. Founded in December 2014 by protein folding expert Susan Lindquist and biotech leader Tony Coles, Yumanity aims to develop innovative, disease-modifying therapies to address critical unmet medical needs in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The company leverages proprietary platforms to identify potential therapeutic targets and has made progress in advancing a new chemical lead series specifically for Parkinson’s disease, while also exploring additional compounds for Alzheimer's disease and ALS.

Syros Pharmaceuticals

Series C in 2016
Syros Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing treatments for cancer and genetic disorders through innovative gene control medicines. The company is advancing its lead product candidates, including SY-1425, a selective retinoic acid receptor alpha agonist currently undergoing a Phase II clinical trial for specific patient subsets with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, and SY-5609, a cyclin-dependent kinase 7 inhibitor in a Phase I clinical trial for select advanced solid tumors. Syros employs a unique approach that integrates gene regulatory circuit mapping and modulation of gene expression factors, supported by a proprietary platform of assay technologies and bioinformatics. The company collaborates with Incyte Corporation to discover therapeutic targets, particularly for myeloproliferative neoplasms, and has a licensing agreement with TMRC Co. Ltd. for the development of tamibarotene. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Syros Pharmaceuticals was previously known as LS22, Inc. and rebranded in 2012.

Aura Biosciences

Series B in 2015
Aura Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing therapies to target and destroy cancer cells using viral nanoparticle conjugates. The company’s lead product, AU-011, utilizes viral nanoparticles modeled on the human papillomavirus, conjugated with infrared-activated small molecules, specifically for the treatment of ocular melanoma, a primary eye cancer. By employing nanotechnology, Aura aims to safely eliminate cancer locally, particularly in early-stage cases, to prevent progression to more severe forms of the disease, such as metastasis to the liver. Additionally, the company is advancing its bel-sar candidate for treating primary choroidal melanoma and exploring applications in bladder cancer. Founded in 2007, Aura Biosciences is committed to developing precision immunotherapies that preserve the function of organs affected by cancer.

Syros Pharmaceuticals

Series B in 2014
Syros Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing treatments for cancer and genetic disorders through innovative gene control medicines. The company is advancing its lead product candidates, including SY-1425, a selective retinoic acid receptor alpha agonist currently undergoing a Phase II clinical trial for specific patient subsets with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, and SY-5609, a cyclin-dependent kinase 7 inhibitor in a Phase I clinical trial for select advanced solid tumors. Syros employs a unique approach that integrates gene regulatory circuit mapping and modulation of gene expression factors, supported by a proprietary platform of assay technologies and bioinformatics. The company collaborates with Incyte Corporation to discover therapeutic targets, particularly for myeloproliferative neoplasms, and has a licensing agreement with TMRC Co. Ltd. for the development of tamibarotene. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Syros Pharmaceuticals was previously known as LS22, Inc. and rebranded in 2012.

Visterra

Series B in 2014
Visterra, Inc. engages in pharmaceutical drug research and development of therapeutic and diagnostic products for infectious diseases. It also provides structure-based design of therapeutics and diagnostic platforms, based on an understanding of glycobiology and glycochemistry. The company was formerly known as Parasol Therapeutics, Inc. and changed its name in May 2010. Visterra, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Seres Health

Series B in 2014
Seres Health, now known as Seres Therapeutics, Inc., is a clinical-stage therapeutics company focused on the development of microbiome-based drugs aimed at treating various diseases associated with dysbiosis. The company specializes in Ecobiotic therapeutics designed to restore health by repairing the microbiome's function. Its lead product candidate, SER-109, is currently in Phase III clinical trials to prevent the recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Additionally, Seres is advancing several other candidates, including SER-287, which is in a Phase IIb study for ulcerative colitis, and SER-401, currently in Phase Ib trials for use in combination with checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic melanoma patients. Other candidates under development include SER-262 for initial CDI recurrence and SER-155 for modulating the microbiome in patients post-stem cell transplants. The company collaborates with organizations like Nestec Ltd. and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and was founded in 2010 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Cydan

Venture Round in 2013
Cydan Development, Inc. is a company focused on the development and commercialization of therapies for orphan and rare diseases, with a particular emphasis on rare genetic disorders. Founded in 2012 and located in Lincoln, Massachusetts, Cydan functions as an orphan drug accelerator, identifying and de-risking compounds with therapeutic potential. The organization conducts comprehensive studies to support the further development of treatments by biotechnology firms. Cydan has worked on therapies for conditions such as Niemann-Pick Disease Type C and IMR-687 for sickle cell disease. The company leverages strong relationships with academic institutions and patient advocacy groups, along with deep expertise in drug development, to foster successful product commercialization and advance treatment options for underserved patient populations.