BB Biotech Ventures

BB Biotech Ventures G.P. is a venture capital firm specializing in growth capital or earlier-stage technology platform companies. The firm seeks to invest in healthcare sector particulary biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals companies. It seeks to invest in clinical stage development companies and emerging healthcare and biotech companies that develop and market drugs, therapeutics and medical devices. The fund also invests in diagnostics; healthcare services; and pharmaceutical research and development companies particulary IP protected technologies. It looks for the best investment opportunities world-wide with a focus on Europe and United States. The firm makes equity investments in the range between $7 million and $15 million. BB Biotech Ventures G.P. is based in Zurich, Switzerland. It is a subsidiary of Bellevue Asset Management AG.
KB

Klaus Breiner

Senior Investment Advisor

45 past transactions

Molecular Partners

Series A in 2007
Molecular Partners is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company working to advance modern medicine and significantly improve the management of serious diseases. They are developing a powerful new class of potent, specific and versatile small protein therapies called DARPin® therapeutics.

Orthocon

Series B in 2009
ORTHOCON is a medical therapeutics company developing innovative absorbable products for orthopaedic and spine surgeries.

Probiodrug

Series B in 2009
Vivoryon Therapeutics is a Germany based biopharmaceutical company engaged in the activities of research and development, preclinical and clinical trials. It is focused on the development of therapeutic products for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and cancer. The company's pipeline products includes PQ912, PQ1565 and PQ-family.

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals

Series D in 2003
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AUXL) was founded in 1999 to develop and market pharmaceutical products that focus on urology and sexual health. While we remain dedicated to this founding principle, Auxilium’s mission has expanded to include the development and marketing of novel treatment options for many of society’s unmet medical needs.

Radius Health

Series C in 2008
Radius is a leading company in the discovery and development of a new generation of drug therapies for osteoporosis and women's health. The company's first drug in clinical trials is designed to build new bone in patients with osteoporosis, with the goal of reducing the risk of future fractures and improving the quality of life. Their long-term focus is on additional areas in women's health that include symptoms of menopause, reproductive disorders, and frailty associated with aging. Radius's scientific leadership includes some of the world's leading researchers in the fields of bone metabolism, endocrinology, and medicinal chemistry, and the company has a broad foundation in nuclear hormone receptors.

Probiodrug

Venture Round in 2012
Vivoryon Therapeutics is a Germany based biopharmaceutical company engaged in the activities of research and development, preclinical and clinical trials. It is focused on the development of therapeutic products for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and cancer. The company's pipeline products includes PQ912, PQ1565 and PQ-family.

Binx Health Limited

Series D in 2017
Binx Health Limited, an in vitro diagnostics company, develops and provides diagnostic instrument and disposable cartridge systems for decentralized laboratory, point-of–care, and other near-patient settings. It offers io System, a diagnostic platform that is designed to detect the presence of infectious diseases, such as chlamydia and MRSA; and Callisto, a system that provides a solution to meet a range of throughput requirements. The company provides solutions for sexually transmitted infections and hospital acquired infections. Binx Health Limited has a strategic partnership with Sherlock Biosciences. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Trowbridge, United Kingdom.

Pevion Biotech

Series A in 2007
Pevion Biotech is a biotechnology company that uses its proprietary technology platforms.

MacroGenics

Post in 2019
MacroGenics, Inc., a biotechnology company, focuses on the development, manufacture, and commercialization of immunotherapeutics for autoimmune disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases. The company is developing immune-based products, including monoclonal antibodies; and vaccines to prevent infections in healthy individuals. The company's Fc engineering technology enables to improve antibody functions to eliminate cancer cells. It is also developing products around the Dual Activating ReTargeting technology. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland.

Radius Health

Private Equity Round in 2011
Radius is a leading company in the discovery and development of a new generation of drug therapies for osteoporosis and women's health. The company's first drug in clinical trials is designed to build new bone in patients with osteoporosis, with the goal of reducing the risk of future fractures and improving the quality of life. Their long-term focus is on additional areas in women's health that include symptoms of menopause, reproductive disorders, and frailty associated with aging. Radius's scientific leadership includes some of the world's leading researchers in the fields of bone metabolism, endocrinology, and medicinal chemistry, and the company has a broad foundation in nuclear hormone receptors.
Aleva Neurotherapeutics SA develops implantable directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems. It offers directSTIM, a DBS system that uses an array of directional microelectrodes to focus electrical stimulation decreasing the need for exact positioning; spiderSTIM, a DBS diagnostic system that encompasses 3-dimensional areas in a brain target, and record and stimulate the region in order to provide a diagnostic tool; and cortiSTIM, a device for cortical stimulation. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

BioXell

Series C in 2004
BioXell was founded in 2002 as a spinout of Roche Milano Ricerche, a leading biomedical research institute created ten years earlier that focused on chronic inflammatory disease and autoimmunity. The idea to create BioXell originated with Francesco Sinigaglia, founder and director of the Milan-based research institute, following a scientific career path that took him to the University College in London, the Basel Institute of Immunology and the Hoffmann-La Roche research units in Basel. Dr. Sinigaglia, former CEO, approached Roche with his challenging project and a year later BioXell was spun off, with $22m invested by MPM Capital, Index Ventures and Life Science Partners.

Optimer Pharmaceuticals

Series D in 2005
Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Optimer) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing anti-infective products. It has two late-stage anti-infective product candidates, fidaxomicin and Pruvel (prulifloxacin). Optimer's development efforts are focused on products that treat gastrointestinal infections, and related diseases where therapies have limitations. Its product portfolio includes Fidaxomicin, Pruvel, CEM-101, OPT-822/OPT-821 Combination Therapy and OPT-88.

Aerovance

Venture Round in 2009
Aerovance is a privately held biopharmaceutical company exclusively focused on developing and commercializing breakthrough medicines for respiratory and allergic diseases. The company maintains a solid intellectual property position with its strong portfolio of novel therapeutic candidates now in clinical development and several pre-clinical programs. The two lead products are human recombinant proteins: Aerovantâ„¢, an IL-4 and -13 receptor antagonist which is in Phase IIa studies for asthma and Aerodermâ„¢, a PEGylated IL-4 and IL-13 receptor antagonist in pre-clinical studies for eczema.

BioXell

Series C in 2006
BioXell was founded in 2002 as a spinout of Roche Milano Ricerche, a leading biomedical research institute created ten years earlier that focused on chronic inflammatory disease and autoimmunity. The idea to create BioXell originated with Francesco Sinigaglia, founder and director of the Milan-based research institute, following a scientific career path that took him to the University College in London, the Basel Institute of Immunology and the Hoffmann-La Roche research units in Basel. Dr. Sinigaglia, former CEO, approached Roche with his challenging project and a year later BioXell was spun off, with $22m invested by MPM Capital, Index Ventures and Life Science Partners.

AM Pharma

Series E in 2014
AM-Pharma B.V., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the development and commercialization of therapeutics for human use in the Netherlands. It focuses in the pre-clinical and clinical development of novel therapeutics to treat inflammatory and infectious diseases. The company develops products based on endogenous proteins and protein derived peptides, as well as molecules that naturally occur in the human body. Its products include alkaline phosphatase for treatment of acute kidney injury and ulcerative colitis; and immune response amplifying peptide hLF1-11 for the treatment of drug resistant hospital acquired infections. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Bunnik, the Netherlands.

Orthocon

Series A in 2006
ORTHOCON is a medical therapeutics company developing innovative absorbable products for orthopaedic and spine surgeries.
Aleva Neurotherapeutics SA develops implantable directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems. It offers directSTIM, a DBS system that uses an array of directional microelectrodes to focus electrical stimulation decreasing the need for exact positioning; spiderSTIM, a DBS diagnostic system that encompasses 3-dimensional areas in a brain target, and record and stimulate the region in order to provide a diagnostic tool; and cortiSTIM, a device for cortical stimulation. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Molecular Partners

Series B in 2009
Molecular Partners is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company working to advance modern medicine and significantly improve the management of serious diseases. They are developing a powerful new class of potent, specific and versatile small protein therapies called DARPin® therapeutics.

Abyrx

Venture Round in 2016
Abyrx, Inc. develops, manufactures, and distributes therapeutic devices for use during surgical procedures. The company’s portfolio includes putties that stop bone bleeding and two applicator devices. Its technology platforms support bone healing, enable re-approximation of bone surfaces, and deliver drugs to bone. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Irvington, New York.

Sonetik AG

Series A in 2014
Sonetik AG develops hearing aids for hearing impaired people in Switzerland and internationally. It offers Sonetik GOhear digital hearing aids, including Sonetik GOhear1 for slightly sloping losses; Sonetik GOhear2 for steeply sloping losses; Sonetik GOhear3 for high frequency losses; and Sonetik GOhear4 for flat losses. The company is based in Bern, Switzerland. Sonetik AG operates as a subsidiary of Harvard International plc.

Binx Health Limited

Series B in 2011
Binx Health Limited, an in vitro diagnostics company, develops and provides diagnostic instrument and disposable cartridge systems for decentralized laboratory, point-of–care, and other near-patient settings. It offers io System, a diagnostic platform that is designed to detect the presence of infectious diseases, such as chlamydia and MRSA; and Callisto, a system that provides a solution to meet a range of throughput requirements. The company provides solutions for sexually transmitted infections and hospital acquired infections. Binx Health Limited has a strategic partnership with Sherlock Biosciences. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Trowbridge, United Kingdom.

AM Pharma

Venture Round in 2020
AM-Pharma B.V., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the development and commercialization of therapeutics for human use in the Netherlands. It focuses in the pre-clinical and clinical development of novel therapeutics to treat inflammatory and infectious diseases. The company develops products based on endogenous proteins and protein derived peptides, as well as molecules that naturally occur in the human body. Its products include alkaline phosphatase for treatment of acute kidney injury and ulcerative colitis; and immune response amplifying peptide hLF1-11 for the treatment of drug resistant hospital acquired infections. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Bunnik, the Netherlands.

Tioga Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Venture Round in 2010
Tioga Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, focuses on developing novel therapies for the treatment of pruritus. It offers Asimadoline, an orally active kappa opioid receptor agonist used for the treatment of pruritus or itching associated with atopic dermatitis. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is based in San Diego, California.

Binx Health Limited

Series B in 2014
Binx Health Limited, an in vitro diagnostics company, develops and provides diagnostic instrument and disposable cartridge systems for decentralized laboratory, point-of–care, and other near-patient settings. It offers io System, a diagnostic platform that is designed to detect the presence of infectious diseases, such as chlamydia and MRSA; and Callisto, a system that provides a solution to meet a range of throughput requirements. The company provides solutions for sexually transmitted infections and hospital acquired infections. Binx Health Limited has a strategic partnership with Sherlock Biosciences. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Trowbridge, United Kingdom.

Radius Health

Series B in 2007
Radius is a leading company in the discovery and development of a new generation of drug therapies for osteoporosis and women's health. The company's first drug in clinical trials is designed to build new bone in patients with osteoporosis, with the goal of reducing the risk of future fractures and improving the quality of life. Their long-term focus is on additional areas in women's health that include symptoms of menopause, reproductive disorders, and frailty associated with aging. Radius's scientific leadership includes some of the world's leading researchers in the fields of bone metabolism, endocrinology, and medicinal chemistry, and the company has a broad foundation in nuclear hormone receptors.
Tioga Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, focuses on developing novel therapies for the treatment of pruritus. It offers Asimadoline, an orally active kappa opioid receptor agonist used for the treatment of pruritus or itching associated with atopic dermatitis. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is based in San Diego, California.

BioVascular

Series C in 2008
BioVascular is a clinical stage privately held biotechnology company developing “first in class” products for platelet mediated cardiovascular diseases. BioVascular’s initial product, saratin, is a polypeptide produced by recombinant means in yeast. This product was discovered by and licensed from Merck KGaA. BioVascular is conducting human clinical trials of saratin for use in hemodialysis access graft and peripheral artery grafts to reduce intimal hyperplasia, which can lead to failure of the graft.

Lumavita AG

Series A in 2008
Lumavita AG, a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the development and commercialization of novel anti-infectives for women's health. Its products include FemiFect, an antibiotic to treat infections known to cause vaginitis, such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa; and SPK-601 that is for the treatment of human papilloma virus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). The company markets its products through distributors. Lumavita AG was formerly known as Shogoo Pharmaceuticals, AG and changed its name to Lumavita AG in December, 2007. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Basel, Switzerland. Lumavita AG operates as a subsidiary of Shogoo Pharmaceuticals KK.

AM Pharma

Series D in 2011
AM-Pharma B.V., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the development and commercialization of therapeutics for human use in the Netherlands. It focuses in the pre-clinical and clinical development of novel therapeutics to treat inflammatory and infectious diseases. The company develops products based on endogenous proteins and protein derived peptides, as well as molecules that naturally occur in the human body. Its products include alkaline phosphatase for treatment of acute kidney injury and ulcerative colitis; and immune response amplifying peptide hLF1-11 for the treatment of drug resistant hospital acquired infections. The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Bunnik, the Netherlands.

Natural Dental Implants

Series A in 2014
Replicate Dental Technologies is dedicated to developing a solution in changing single tooth replacement with a patented, patient-friendly product that does not require drilling or destroying healthy teeth. It offers a minimally-invasive, patented medical device for replacing teeth. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

Vaximm AG

Venture Round in 2011
Vaximmis a privately held, Swiss-based vaccine company that is primarily focused on developing active immunotherapies (vaccines) for patients suffering from cancer. Their initial product candidate VXM01 is targeting the tumor vasculature, which is essential for tumors to grow beyond microscopic size. Vaximm has shown impressive anti-tumor activity in various animal studies and will enter first human clinical trials in 2011. Vaximmwas formed in 2008 as a joint venture of BB Biotech Ventures and Merck KGaA to develop VXM01.
Aleva Neurotherapeutics SA develops implantable directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems. It offers directSTIM, a DBS system that uses an array of directional microelectrodes to focus electrical stimulation decreasing the need for exact positioning; spiderSTIM, a DBS diagnostic system that encompasses 3-dimensional areas in a brain target, and record and stimulate the region in order to provide a diagnostic tool; and cortiSTIM, a device for cortical stimulation. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Binx Health Limited

Series C in 2015
Binx Health Limited, an in vitro diagnostics company, develops and provides diagnostic instrument and disposable cartridge systems for decentralized laboratory, point-of–care, and other near-patient settings. It offers io System, a diagnostic platform that is designed to detect the presence of infectious diseases, such as chlamydia and MRSA; and Callisto, a system that provides a solution to meet a range of throughput requirements. The company provides solutions for sexually transmitted infections and hospital acquired infections. Binx Health Limited has a strategic partnership with Sherlock Biosciences. The company was founded in 2005 and is based in Trowbridge, United Kingdom.

TargeGen

Series C in 2005
TargeGen, Inc., a vascular biology-focused biopharmaceutical company, discovers and develops small molecule kinase inhibitors that target vascular leakage (edema), vascular proliferation (angiogenesis), and inflammation. The company offers its products for the treatment of human diseases, such as heart attack, cancer, and eye diseases; vascular leakage, edema, and the unwanted growth of new blood vessels; pleural effusions, arthritis, pulmonary edema, transplant ischemia, ARDS, brain inflammation, hypovolemia (acute blood loss) CNS disorders, and other serious medical conditions. It serves macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy markets. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in San Diego, California. It was acquired by [Sanofi Aventis](/organization/sanofi-aventis-2) in 2010.

TargeGen

Series D in 2007
TargeGen, Inc., a vascular biology-focused biopharmaceutical company, discovers and develops small molecule kinase inhibitors that target vascular leakage (edema), vascular proliferation (angiogenesis), and inflammation. The company offers its products for the treatment of human diseases, such as heart attack, cancer, and eye diseases; vascular leakage, edema, and the unwanted growth of new blood vessels; pleural effusions, arthritis, pulmonary edema, transplant ischemia, ARDS, brain inflammation, hypovolemia (acute blood loss) CNS disorders, and other serious medical conditions. It serves macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy markets. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in San Diego, California. It was acquired by [Sanofi Aventis](/organization/sanofi-aventis-2) in 2010.

Opsona

Series C in 2013
Drug development firm focused on immunology. They are headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Opsona Therapeutics is one of Europe's most innovative and dynamic drug development companies. We are at the forefront of drug development in immunology research, with particular focus on the innate immunity pathways. Since its founding in 2004, Opsona has validated and developed a series of exciting new drug candidates and strategies which modulate the human innate immune system. We are located in Dublin, Ireland.

Radius Health

Private Equity Round in 2013
Radius is a leading company in the discovery and development of a new generation of drug therapies for osteoporosis and women's health. The company's first drug in clinical trials is designed to build new bone in patients with osteoporosis, with the goal of reducing the risk of future fractures and improving the quality of life. Their long-term focus is on additional areas in women's health that include symptoms of menopause, reproductive disorders, and frailty associated with aging. Radius's scientific leadership includes some of the world's leading researchers in the fields of bone metabolism, endocrinology, and medicinal chemistry, and the company has a broad foundation in nuclear hormone receptors.

Alpex Pharma SA

Series B in 2007
Alpex Pharma is a pharmaceutical company active in Research & Development and Production of ODT (Orally Dispersible Tablet) called also "fast melt" and effervescent tablets. Alpex Pharma has developed a unique proprietary covering ODT technology. The high production capacity and advanced R&D technologies makes Alpex Pharma to be one of the most important company of the world in the field of fast melt and effervescent tablets. The company has a state-of-the-art manufacturing and R&D facilities of some 7000 square meters, with separate pharmaceutical and nutritional plant GMP compliant.

Eyetech Pharmaceuticals

Series C in 2001
Eyetech Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in novel therapeutics to treat diseases of the eye. The company conducted research and development into wet age-related macular degeneration diseases, which was seen as a breakthrough in the field. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International acquired Eyetech for US$22 million in 2012.

Radius Health

Series C in 2011
Radius is a leading company in the discovery and development of a new generation of drug therapies for osteoporosis and women's health. The company's first drug in clinical trials is designed to build new bone in patients with osteoporosis, with the goal of reducing the risk of future fractures and improving the quality of life. Their long-term focus is on additional areas in women's health that include symptoms of menopause, reproductive disorders, and frailty associated with aging. Radius's scientific leadership includes some of the world's leading researchers in the fields of bone metabolism, endocrinology, and medicinal chemistry, and the company has a broad foundation in nuclear hormone receptors.

Moderna Therapeutics

Series G in 2018
Moderna Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that develops messenger RNA therapeutics. Every cell in the body uses mRNA to provide real-time instructions to make the proteins necessary to drive all aspects of biology, including in human health and disease. It provides in vivo drug modality that produces human proteins or antibodies inside patient cells. Moderna Therapeutics also develops various patent applications with various claims ranging from novel nucleotide chemistries to specific drug compositions. It focuses on disease areas, such as inherited genetic disorders, hemophilia, and blood factors, and oncology. Moderna Therapeutics in 2010 and is headquartered in Cambridge in Massachusetts. It has strategic option agreements with AstraZeneca and Alexion Pharmaceuticals and strategic collaborations with Karolinska Institutet, Institut Pasteur, Karolinska University Hospital, and Merck.

Palyon Medical

Series A in 2009
Palyon Medical Corporation is a medical device company developing technologies for the treatment of chronic pain, spasticity and other neurological diseases.

Opsona

Series C in 2013
Drug development firm focused on immunology. They are headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Opsona Therapeutics is one of Europe's most innovative and dynamic drug development companies. We are at the forefront of drug development in immunology research, with particular focus on the innate immunity pathways. Since its founding in 2004, Opsona has validated and developed a series of exciting new drug candidates and strategies which modulate the human innate immune system. We are located in Dublin, Ireland.
Aleva Neurotherapeutics SA develops implantable directional deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems. It offers directSTIM, a DBS system that uses an array of directional microelectrodes to focus electrical stimulation decreasing the need for exact positioning; spiderSTIM, a DBS diagnostic system that encompasses 3-dimensional areas in a brain target, and record and stimulate the region in order to provide a diagnostic tool; and cortiSTIM, a device for cortical stimulation. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.