Apjohn Ventures

Apjohn Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2002 and located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies within the life sciences sector, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, healthcare services, and biotechnology. With a focus on the Midwest region of the United States, Apjohn Ventures aims to identify and support innovative companies that demonstrate sustainable growth potential. The firm is committed to fostering advancements in healthcare through strategic investments that offer promising financial returns.

Mina Patel Sooch

Co-Founder and General Partner

16 past transactions

Tetra Therapeutics

Series A in 2016
Tetra Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing pharmaceutical drugs that target phosphodiesterase (PDE) sub-type inhibitors for various neurological and non-neurological disorders. The company is known for its lead product, BPN14770, which aims to enhance brain synaptic function through the PKA-CREB pathway, addressing significant conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and developmental disabilities. Tetra Therapeutics also works on therapeutic solutions for individuals affected by traumatic brain injury and other psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Founded in 2011 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company was previously known as Tetra Discovery Partners, changing its name in August 2019. Tetra Therapeutics has established a strategic collaboration with Shionogi & Co., Ltd., and operates as a subsidiary of the same entity.

Tetra Discovery

Series A in 2016
Tetra Discovery Partners provides consulting services in drug discovery and development. They partner with Universities to commercialize intellectual property and conduct proprietary research on diseases affecting the central nervous system. Their research focuses on developing new treatments for depression and schizophrenia. Severe forms of depression affect 2–5% of the US population, while mood disorders impact 7% of the world’s population and rank among the top ten causes of disability.

Sierra Oncology

Series D in 2014
Sierra Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing and commercializing therapies for patients with hematology and oncology needs. The company's lead drug candidate, momelotinib, is an orally bioavailable inhibitor targeting JAK1, JAK2, and ACVR1, which has undergone two completed Phase 3 trials for myelofibrosis treatment. Additionally, Sierra Oncology is advancing SRA737, a small molecule inhibitor of Checkpoint kinase 1 currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials, and SRA141, an inhibitor of cell division cycle 7 kinase, which is in preclinical development. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Sierra Oncology aims to provide targeted therapies for rare forms of cancer, leveraging scientific expertise to address limitations in existing treatments and improve patient outcomes. The company was previously known as ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc. before its name change in January 2017.

CytoPherx

Series C in 2012
CytoPherx (formerly Nephrion) clinical stage medical device company addressing inflammation-based diseases and conditions. The company’s products are custom configurations of a proprietary selective cytopheresis-based inflammation modulating system.

CytoPherx

Series B in 2010
CytoPherx (formerly Nephrion) clinical stage medical device company addressing inflammation-based diseases and conditions. The company’s products are custom configurations of a proprietary selective cytopheresis-based inflammation modulating system.

Svelte Medical Systems

Debt Financing in 2009
Svelte Medical Systems, Inc. specializes in the design, development, and commercialization of balloon-expandable stents aimed at patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for atherosclerosis treatment. The company offers the SLENDER Integrated Delivery System, a drug-eluting coronary stent-on-a-wire system that simplifies catheter use for transradial interventions, and the DIRECT Rapid Exchange System, which employs proprietary balloon designs to improve direct stenting and post-dilatation processes. Founded in 2007 by Robert, David, and Tim Fischell, Svelte is committed to addressing critical clinical challenges in the coronary stent market, focusing on enhancing stent deliverability, reducing costs, and improving device safety. The company has developed one of the lowest profile and most deliverable stents available, featuring advanced technology aimed at achieving better clinical outcomes for patients. Based in New Providence, New Jersey, Svelte operates within the $5 billion coronary stent market.

Intranasal Therapeutics

Series B in 2009
Ikano Therapeutics a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on developing nasal spray drug products.

Sierra Oncology

Venture Round in 2008
Sierra Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing and commercializing therapies for patients with hematology and oncology needs. The company's lead drug candidate, momelotinib, is an orally bioavailable inhibitor targeting JAK1, JAK2, and ACVR1, which has undergone two completed Phase 3 trials for myelofibrosis treatment. Additionally, Sierra Oncology is advancing SRA737, a small molecule inhibitor of Checkpoint kinase 1 currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials, and SRA141, an inhibitor of cell division cycle 7 kinase, which is in preclinical development. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Sierra Oncology aims to provide targeted therapies for rare forms of cancer, leveraging scientific expertise to address limitations in existing treatments and improve patient outcomes. The company was previously known as ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc. before its name change in January 2017.

CytoPherx

Series A in 2007
CytoPherx (formerly Nephrion) clinical stage medical device company addressing inflammation-based diseases and conditions. The company’s products are custom configurations of a proprietary selective cytopheresis-based inflammation modulating system.

RenaMed Biologics

Venture Round in 2006
RenaMed Biologics a biotechnology company, engages in the development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of diseases associated with compromised kidney function. The company focuses on patients suffering from acute renal failure and additional indications where kidney function is compromised. It develops RBI-01, which utilizes physiologically active human renal epithelial cells and administered ex vivo, to replace and maintain severely compromised, or lost kidney functions due to illness, or trauma. The company was founded in 1995 as Nephros Therapeutics, Inc. and changed its name to RenaMed Biologics, Inc. in 2005. RenaMed Biologics, Inc. is based in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Intranasal Therapeutics

Venture Round in 2006
Ikano Therapeutics a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on developing nasal spray drug products.

Sierra Oncology

Venture Round in 2005
Sierra Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing and commercializing therapies for patients with hematology and oncology needs. The company's lead drug candidate, momelotinib, is an orally bioavailable inhibitor targeting JAK1, JAK2, and ACVR1, which has undergone two completed Phase 3 trials for myelofibrosis treatment. Additionally, Sierra Oncology is advancing SRA737, a small molecule inhibitor of Checkpoint kinase 1 currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials, and SRA141, an inhibitor of cell division cycle 7 kinase, which is in preclinical development. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Sierra Oncology aims to provide targeted therapies for rare forms of cancer, leveraging scientific expertise to address limitations in existing treatments and improve patient outcomes. The company was previously known as ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc. before its name change in January 2017.

Sierra Oncology

Venture Round in 2005
Sierra Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing and commercializing therapies for patients with hematology and oncology needs. The company's lead drug candidate, momelotinib, is an orally bioavailable inhibitor targeting JAK1, JAK2, and ACVR1, which has undergone two completed Phase 3 trials for myelofibrosis treatment. Additionally, Sierra Oncology is advancing SRA737, a small molecule inhibitor of Checkpoint kinase 1 currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials, and SRA141, an inhibitor of cell division cycle 7 kinase, which is in preclinical development. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Sierra Oncology aims to provide targeted therapies for rare forms of cancer, leveraging scientific expertise to address limitations in existing treatments and improve patient outcomes. The company was previously known as ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc. before its name change in January 2017.

Sierra Oncology

Venture Round in 2004
Sierra Oncology, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing and commercializing therapies for patients with hematology and oncology needs. The company's lead drug candidate, momelotinib, is an orally bioavailable inhibitor targeting JAK1, JAK2, and ACVR1, which has undergone two completed Phase 3 trials for myelofibrosis treatment. Additionally, Sierra Oncology is advancing SRA737, a small molecule inhibitor of Checkpoint kinase 1 currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials, and SRA141, an inhibitor of cell division cycle 7 kinase, which is in preclinical development. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Sierra Oncology aims to provide targeted therapies for rare forms of cancer, leveraging scientific expertise to address limitations in existing treatments and improve patient outcomes. The company was previously known as ProNAi Therapeutics, Inc. before its name change in January 2017.

Zystor

Series A in 2004
ZyStor Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately-held biotechnology company focused on developing enzyme replacement therapies for lysosomal storage diseases. The company specializes in creating innovative replacement technologies that enhance the delivery of therapeutics designed to substitute for missing lysosomal enzymes. These therapies aim to address the needs of patients suffering from genetic disorders characterized by lysosomal storage dysfunction.

Asterand

Series C in 2003
Asterand Bioscience is a leading global provider of high-quality human tissue and human tissue-based research solutions, primarily aimed at drug discovery scientists. Established in 2006 through the merger of Asterand, a human tissue biorepository, and Pharmagene, a drug discovery company, Asterand has a strong heritage in human tissue procurement and characterization. The company focuses on accelerating the identification and validation of drug targets while enhancing the selection of drug candidates to increase the likelihood of clinical success. With offices in Detroit, Michigan, and Royston, United Kingdom, Asterand serves pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostic companies, as well as academic institutions, offering comprehensive research services that span from target identification to compound evaluation and drug safety.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.