BrightEdge

BrightEdge is a philanthropic impact fund established in 2019 and based in Atlanta, Georgia, serving as the innovation and venture capital arm of the American Cancer Society. The fund focuses on catalyzing innovation in cancer care by strategically investing in early-stage companies that are developing advanced technology-enabled solutions and science-based medicines. BrightEdge aims to enhance patient-centric innovations in areas such as prevention, early detection, and treatment adherence. By leveraging the expertise of the Society’s medical and science professionals, the fund evaluates potential investments to ensure alignment with its mission of accelerating the delivery of promising cancer-related therapies and technologies, ultimately contributing to the goal of eradicating cancer.

Lucas de Breed

Director

10 past transactions

Meliora Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2022
Meliora Therapeutics is a biotech startup focused on developing innovative cancer therapies through a machine learning-driven platform. The company aims to identify the true mechanisms of action of oncology medications by utilizing a proprietary prediction atlas that maps drug mechanisms. This approach allows Meliora to streamline the drug development process by reducing the time and costs typically associated with traditional methods. By pinpointing the specific actions of therapeutic molecules, Meliora Therapeutics seeks to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments and accelerate the delivery of life-saving therapies to patients.

Auron Therapeutics

Series A in 2022
Auron Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, dedicated to developing innovative therapies for cancer. Founded in 2018, the company aims to transform the treatment paradigm by shifting from traditional cell-killing approaches to differentiation therapy, which seeks to convert malignant cells into normal functioning cells. This strategy reactivates the body's inherent cellular programs to promote tumor maturation and restore normal tissue. Auron Therapeutics utilizes advanced platforms that integrate large omic datasets with high-throughput flow cytometry, enabling the rapid identification and validation of multiple therapeutic targets and drugs using primary human patient samples. Through its research, the company aspires to address unmet medical needs in oncology and provide life-saving treatments for cancer patients.

Persephone Biosciences

Seed Round in 2022
Persephone Biome, Inc. is a San Diego-based company focused on researching and developing products and therapies that modify gut microbial metabolism, particularly in relation to cancer treatment. Established in 2017, the company is creating innovative solutions aimed at enhancing the efficacy of oncology drugs by retuning the gut microbiome. This includes the development of a pill containing beneficial gut bacteria. In addition to its therapeutics, Persephone Biome aims to offer nutritional products that support the human gut microbiome, producing functional foods and beverages that cater to the growing consumer demand for health-oriented products. The company has plans to enter clinical trials to further advance its initiatives in the field of microbiome-directed therapies.

CellCentric

Venture Round in 2022
CellCentric Ltd. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, focused on developing innovative cancer therapeutic products. Established in 2003, the company specializes in small-molecule inhibitors that target p300 and CBP proteins, as well as a deubiquitinase enzyme closely linked to prostate cancer. This enzyme modulates the androgen receptor pathway, which is critical in addressing resistance mechanisms encountered with existing prostate cancer treatments. CellCentric's therapies aim to treat various cancers, including castrate-resistant prostate cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. By targeting specific pathways and mechanisms, CellCentric seeks to provide effective treatment options for patients with challenging cancer types.

Alpheus Medical

Series A in 2021
Alpheus Medical provides a novel sonodynamic therapy platform targeting solid body cancers. Alpheus Medical also provides a non-invasive drug-device combination for outpatient treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (rGBM).

TailorMed

Venture Round in 2021
TailorMed Medical Ltd. is a health technology company that specializes in financial navigation systems designed to assist patients and healthcare providers in managing medical expenses. Founded in 2017 and based in Tel Aviv, Israel, TailorMed offers a comprehensive platform that automates financial processes, identifies patients at financial risk, and connects them with tailored funding opportunities. Its key products include TailorMed Financial Navigation, which streamlines financial operations for healthcare centers; TailorMed Financial Insights, a reporting dashboard that tracks key performance indicators; and TailorMed Pharmacy, which simplifies the ordering and billing of medications based on individual treatment plans. By leveraging advanced algorithms and a robust data set, TailorMed aims to reduce patient financial toxicity and improve efficiencies throughout the treatment lifecycle.

Auron Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2021
Auron Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, dedicated to developing innovative therapies for cancer. Founded in 2018, the company aims to transform the treatment paradigm by shifting from traditional cell-killing approaches to differentiation therapy, which seeks to convert malignant cells into normal functioning cells. This strategy reactivates the body's inherent cellular programs to promote tumor maturation and restore normal tissue. Auron Therapeutics utilizes advanced platforms that integrate large omic datasets with high-throughput flow cytometry, enabling the rapid identification and validation of multiple therapeutic targets and drugs using primary human patient samples. Through its research, the company aspires to address unmet medical needs in oncology and provide life-saving treatments for cancer patients.

Tmunity

Series B in 2019
Tmunity Therapeutics, based in Philadelphia and incorporated in 2015, is a bio-therapeutics company focused on developing innovative immunotherapies for cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders. The company specializes in engineering T cells, utilizing novel T Cell Receptor (TCR) technologies, regulatory T cells (Treg), and universal engineered T cell platforms to enhance the activation and direction of T cells in vivo. Tmunity's proprietary methodologies allow for the activation, expansion, and genetic engineering of T cells derived from peripheral blood, cord blood, and tumors. The founding team comprises experts in T-cell biology, manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and clinical development, boasting a strong track record in conducting safe and effective cell and gene therapy trials. Additionally, Tmunity's manufacturing capabilities support multi-center clinical studies across various therapeutic areas, positioning the company to deliver next-generation personalized immunotherapies.

Navigating Cancer

Series D in 2019
Navigating Cancer, Inc. offers a web-based patient care and engagement portal specifically designed for cancer patients and their healthcare teams. Founded in 2008 and based in Seattle, Washington, the platform enables cancer survivors to manage and organize their medical information, track their health, and stay informed about their treatments. It serves as a resource for patients to access articles on various types of cancer and chemotherapy, facilitating discussions about their conditions with peers and healthcare professionals. The portal aims to enhance patient-centered care by connecting patients with their healthcare teams, streamlining practice workflows, and ultimately improving the quality of oncology care while reducing costs.

Castle Biosciences

Convertible Note in 2019
Castle Biosciences, we focus on addressing this gap. We work with leading cancer institutions to in-license proprietary technologies and complete development and validation. The ultimate goal is to make these proven tests available to all individuals afflicted with a rare cancer.
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