Chiesi Ventures

Founded in 2014, Chiesi Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage opportunities focused on rare and orphan disorders. It aims to improve diagnosis, disease management, care, and therapy for patients affected by rare diseases.

Giacomo Chiesi

Managing Partner

17 past transactions

Glycomine

Series C in 2025
Glycomine, Inc. is a biotech company based in San Carlos, California, focused on developing nanomedicines for rare genetic disorders, particularly those related to protein and lipid glycosylation. Founded in 2014, the company addresses the significant unmet medical needs of patients suffering from rare diseases, of which approximately 7,000 exist globally, with a majority lacking FDA-approved treatments. Glycomine specializes in creating replacement therapies that combine substrates, enzymes, and proteins with advanced bio-nano materials. These therapeutics are designed to facilitate the targeted delivery of treatment to clinically relevant organs, thereby enhancing the efficacy of care for conditions characterized by metabolic disorders and protein misfolding.

Glycomine

Series B in 2021
Glycomine, Inc. is a biotech company based in San Carlos, California, focused on developing nanomedicines for rare genetic disorders, particularly those related to protein and lipid glycosylation. Founded in 2014, the company addresses the significant unmet medical needs of patients suffering from rare diseases, of which approximately 7,000 exist globally, with a majority lacking FDA-approved treatments. Glycomine specializes in creating replacement therapies that combine substrates, enzymes, and proteins with advanced bio-nano materials. These therapeutics are designed to facilitate the targeted delivery of treatment to clinically relevant organs, thereby enhancing the efficacy of care for conditions characterized by metabolic disorders and protein misfolding.

Aura Biosciences

Venture Round in 2021
Aura Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2007 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It develops cancer therapies using tumor-targeted pseudovirions, employing viral nanoparticles conjugated to infrared-activated molecules to selectively destroy cancer cells. The lead program AU-011 targets ocular melanoma, including primary choroidal melanoma, with the aim of treating tumors locally while reducing damage to surrounding tissue. The company pursues precision therapies for solid tumors and has ongoing development in other ocular oncology indications and bladder cancer, focusing operations in the United States.

Reneo Pharmaceuticals

Series B in 2020
Reneo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, dedicated to developing therapies for patients with rare genetic mitochondrial diseases. These conditions are characterized by deficits in cellular metabolism and energy production, often leading to significant health challenges. The company is focused on creating treatments that improve mitochondrial function, preserve muscle integrity, and enhance the overall quality of life for affected individuals. Its lead product candidate, REN001, is an oral medication designed to modulate genes critical to the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy source for cellular processes. Founded in 2014, Reneo aims to address the unmet needs of patients suffering from orphan metabolic diseases linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Glycomine

Series B in 2019
Glycomine, Inc. is a biotech company based in San Carlos, California, focused on developing nanomedicines for rare genetic disorders, particularly those related to protein and lipid glycosylation. Founded in 2014, the company addresses the significant unmet medical needs of patients suffering from rare diseases, of which approximately 7,000 exist globally, with a majority lacking FDA-approved treatments. Glycomine specializes in creating replacement therapies that combine substrates, enzymes, and proteins with advanced bio-nano materials. These therapeutics are designed to facilitate the targeted delivery of treatment to clinically relevant organs, thereby enhancing the efficacy of care for conditions characterized by metabolic disorders and protein misfolding.

Mirum Pharmaceuticals

Series A in 2018
Mirum Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing therapies for debilitating liver diseases. Its primary focus is on Maralixibat, an investigational oral drug in Phase 3 trials for treating progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis disease and Alagille syndrome.

CuraSen Therapeutics

Series A in 2018
CuraSen Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The company specializes in small molecule drugs that target a novel mechanism in the brain, aiming to restore function, improve symptoms, and modify the progression of conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and less common orphan neurodegenerative disorders. Founded in 2016, CuraSen Therapeutics is headquartered in Los Altos, California.

VelosBio

Series A in 2018
VelosBio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, focused on developing innovative antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to treat various hematological cancers and solid tumors. Established in 2017, the company specializes in therapies that target receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1), a protein present on many cancerous cells but absent in normal tissues, making it a promising target for cancer treatment. VelosBio's lead product, VLS-101, is an ROR1-directed ADC designed for patients with both hematologic and solid tumor malignancies. The company's approach aims to provide novel targeted therapies that can be utilized as monotherapy or in combination with other treatments across a wide array of cancer types.

Minoryx Therapeutics

Series B in 2018
Minoryx Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Mataro, Spain, founded in 2011. The company specializes in discovering and developing innovative treatments for life-threatening rare diseases, with a particular focus on pediatric neurometabolic conditions of genetic origin. Minoryx is known for its development of pharmacological chaperones, a new generation of small molecule drugs designed to restore protein functionality, thereby addressing unmet medical needs in genetic diseases that severely affect the central nervous system. Additionally, Minoryx engages in repositioning-based projects to explore alternative therapeutic options for these challenging conditions.

4D Molecular Therapeutics

Series B in 2018
4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage gene therapy company based in Emeryville, California, focused on developing innovative gene therapies for unmet medical needs. The company utilizes targeted and evolved adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to create its product candidates, which are concentrated in the therapeutic areas of ophthalmology, cardiology, and pulmonology. Key candidates in its portfolio include 4D-125, currently in a Phase I/II trial for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, and 4D-110, undergoing Phase I trials for choroideremia. Additionally, 4D-310 is in Phase I/II trials for Fabry disease, while investigational drugs 4D-150 and 4D-710 are being developed for wet age-related macular degeneration and cystic fibrosis lung disease, respectively. Founded in 2013, 4D Molecular Therapeutics aims to advance its gene therapies to address significant health challenges.

Aura Biosciences

Series C in 2017
Aura Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2007 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It develops cancer therapies using tumor-targeted pseudovirions, employing viral nanoparticles conjugated to infrared-activated molecules to selectively destroy cancer cells. The lead program AU-011 targets ocular melanoma, including primary choroidal melanoma, with the aim of treating tumors locally while reducing damage to surrounding tissue. The company pursues precision therapies for solid tumors and has ongoing development in other ocular oncology indications and bladder cancer, focusing operations in the United States.

Kezar Life Sciences

Series B in 2017
Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics aimed at addressing unmet medical needs in autoimmunity and cancer. The company's lead product candidate, KZR-616, is a selective immunoproteasome inhibitor currently undergoing Phase 2 clinical trials for five autoimmune conditions, including lupus nephritis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, as well as Phase 1b/2 trials in systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition to KZR-616, Kezar is developing KZR-261, which targets oncology and autoimmune indications. Founded in 2015, the company leverages innovative research in protein homeostasis and has established a pipeline of potential therapies to advance treatment options for patients.

Sentien Biotechnologies

Series A in 2017
Sentien Biotechnologies, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative cell therapies aimed at restoring immune system balance and improving treatment options for patients with systemic inflammatory diseases. The company specializes in proprietary cell compositions and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing methods that enhance the efficacy of cell therapy. Its flagship product, SBI-101, utilizes an extracorporeal device to immobilize Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs), facilitating sustained and controlled delivery of their therapeutic properties, which include anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects. Additionally, the company offers the Sentinel device, designed to treat patients during dialysis by supplementing their blood with MSC-derived secretions that address immune dysfunction and promote tissue repair. Founded in 2008, Sentien Biotechnologies is headquartered in Medford, Massachusetts.

Sentieon

Series A in 2017
Sentieon, Inc. is a bioinformatics company based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2014. It specializes in developing and commercializing cloud-based solutions for the life sciences and clinical markets. Sentieon offers a range of bioinformatics tools designed for processing genomics data with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and quick turnaround times. Its notable products include Sentieon DNAseq, which aids in germline DNA analysis, and Sentieon TNseq, designed for detecting tumor-normal somatic variants. These software-only tools boast scalability and upgradeability, leveraging optimized algorithms to improve computing performance. Sentieon aims to enhance the capabilities of scientists and clinicians by providing precision tools that facilitate comprehensive tumor characterization and other critical bioinformatics processes.

Glycomine

Series A in 2016
Glycomine, Inc. is a biotech company based in San Carlos, California, focused on developing nanomedicines for rare genetic disorders, particularly those related to protein and lipid glycosylation. Founded in 2014, the company addresses the significant unmet medical needs of patients suffering from rare diseases, of which approximately 7,000 exist globally, with a majority lacking FDA-approved treatments. Glycomine specializes in creating replacement therapies that combine substrates, enzymes, and proteins with advanced bio-nano materials. These therapeutics are designed to facilitate the targeted delivery of treatment to clinically relevant organs, thereby enhancing the efficacy of care for conditions characterized by metabolic disorders and protein misfolding.

Minoryx Therapeutics

Series A in 2015
Minoryx Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Mataro, Spain, founded in 2011. The company specializes in discovering and developing innovative treatments for life-threatening rare diseases, with a particular focus on pediatric neurometabolic conditions of genetic origin. Minoryx is known for its development of pharmacological chaperones, a new generation of small molecule drugs designed to restore protein functionality, thereby addressing unmet medical needs in genetic diseases that severely affect the central nervous system. Additionally, Minoryx engages in repositioning-based projects to explore alternative therapeutic options for these challenging conditions.

Aura Biosciences

Series B in 2015
Aura Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2007 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It develops cancer therapies using tumor-targeted pseudovirions, employing viral nanoparticles conjugated to infrared-activated molecules to selectively destroy cancer cells. The lead program AU-011 targets ocular melanoma, including primary choroidal melanoma, with the aim of treating tumors locally while reducing damage to surrounding tissue. The company pursues precision therapies for solid tumors and has ongoing development in other ocular oncology indications and bladder cancer, focusing operations in the United States.
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