Global Life Science Ventures

IMI Intelligent Medical Implants develops and markets intelligent retinal implant systems for degenerative retinal disorders. The company offers The Intelligent Retinal Implant System, an adaptive visual prosthesis that bridges and replaces the defective information processing function of the real retina in patients with retinal degeneration. IMI Intelligent Medical Implants was founded in 2002 and is based in Zug, Switzerland.

NeurogesX, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing novel non-opioid, pain management therapies to address unmet medical needs. The company was formerly known as Advanced Analgesics, Inc. and changed its name to NeurogesX, Inc. in September 2000. NeurogesX, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is based in San Mateo, California.

Agendia's molecular diagnostic technology provides cancer patients and their physicians with a glimpse into their genome, answers to the most pressing questions and enables personalized treatment plans. Agendia’s breast cancer tests were developed using an unbiased gene selection by analyzing the complete human genome. Agendia’s tests can help physicians assess a patient’s individual risk for metastasis, which patients may benefit from chemo, hormonal or combination therapy, and which patients may not require these treatments and can instead be treated with other, less arduous and less costly methods.

Coapt Systems, Inc. engages in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of bio-absorbable implants for use in soft tissue fixation during facial cosmetic surgery procedures. It offers ENDOTINE Forehead 3.0, a bioabsorbable brow fixation device; ENDOTINE Forehead Instrument Kits that comprise insertion tools, drill bits, and sterilization trays with lids; ENDOTINE Triple 3.0, the bioabsorbable brow fixation devices with disposable drill bits and insertion tools; ENDOTINE TransBleph 3.0, a bioabsorbable upper lid and brow fixation devices. The company also provides ENDOTINE Midface ST 4.5, a bioabsorbable midface suspension devices; ENDOTINE Ribbon, a bioabsorbable fixation devices; Coapt Manual Surgical Drills, the manual surgical hand drills for use with ENDOTINE implants; and SurgiWire Incisionless Dissectors, the subcutaneous The Endotine product line was bought by MicroAire, a surgical device manufacturer in Charlottesville, VA, in August 2010.

Agendia's molecular diagnostic technology provides cancer patients and their physicians with a glimpse into their genome, answers to the most pressing questions and enables personalized treatment plans. Agendia’s breast cancer tests were developed using an unbiased gene selection by analyzing the complete human genome. Agendia’s tests can help physicians assess a patient’s individual risk for metastasis, which patients may benefit from chemo, hormonal or combination therapy, and which patients may not require these treatments and can instead be treated with other, less arduous and less costly methods.

Pieris Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops drugs to fight cancer, severe asthma, anemia, and other medical conditions with unmet medical needs. The company applies its proprietary Anticalin® technology to the drug development processes. Pieris Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2001 and is based in Freising, Bayern.

Develogen is a biology-driven drug discovery company that is engaged in the development of therapies for diabetes and obesity. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Georgia, United States.

BrainGate is a path to a better way of life for severely motor-impaired individuals. Through years of advanced research, BrainGate enables these people with the ability to communicate, interact and function through thought. (view video) BrainGate's mission is to further the advancement of this life-changing technology to promote wider adoption to help impaired individuals communicate and interact with society. For instance, the Cyberkenetics BrainGate Neural Interface is currently the subject of a pilot clinical trial being conducted under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) from the FDA. The system is designed to restore functionality for a limited, immobile group of severely motor-impaired individuals. It is expected that people using the BrainGate System will employ a personal computer as the gateway to a range of self-directed activities. These activities may extend beyond typical computer functions (e.g., communication) to include the control of objects in the environment such as a telephone, a television and lights.

NeurogesX, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing novel non-opioid, pain management therapies to address unmet medical needs. The company was formerly known as Advanced Analgesics, Inc. and changed its name to NeurogesX, Inc. in September 2000. NeurogesX, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is based in San Mateo, California.

Agendia's molecular diagnostic technology provides cancer patients and their physicians with a glimpse into their genome, answers to the most pressing questions and enables personalized treatment plans. Agendia’s breast cancer tests were developed using an unbiased gene selection by analyzing the complete human genome. Agendia’s tests can help physicians assess a patient’s individual risk for metastasis, which patients may benefit from chemo, hormonal or combination therapy, and which patients may not require these treatments and can instead be treated with other, less arduous and less costly methods.

Agromed S.A. engages in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of dairy products. It offers UHT milks, yogurts, desserts, cheeses, and butter. The company sells its products to supermarkets, wholesalers, and small grocery stores in Tunisia. Agromed S.A. is based in Sfax, Tunisia.

CombinatoRx is a biotech company that develops medicines from synergistic combinations of approved drugs. The company has pushed into Phase 2 clinical trials a portfolio of drug candidates aimed at cancer and multiple immuno-inflammatory diseases. CombinatoRx Service Business was acquired by Horizon Discovery Group.

Nitec is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization and development of medicines to treat chronic inflammation and pain-related diseases. It seeks to address areas of high unmet medical need within these markets by developing proprietary products based on well-characterized pharmaceuticals and disease targets. The Company is a spin-out of Merck KGaA and is headquartered in the Basel region of Switzerland. Since its formation in 2004, Nitec has developed and commercialized its lead product, Lodotraâ„¢. Nitecâ€:tm:s most advanced product candidate is Lodotraâ„¢, a circadian cytokine modulator, which successfully completed a European phase 3 trial in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2006. In January 2009, Lodotraâ„¢ was recommended for European regulatory approval for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (“RA”), particularly the associated and debilitating morning stiffness, following the successful completion of a phase III trial (CAPRA-1) in 2006. Germany was the Reference Member State and Lodotraâ„¢ is now also expected approvable by the regulatory agencies of 14 other countries under the Decentralized Procedure. In March Nitec announced a European partnership for Lodotraâ€:tm:s commercialization with MundiPharma. Merck KGaA, which holds the distribution rights to Lodotraâ„¢ in Germany and Austria, have recently launched the product in Germany. Nitec is conducting a second pivotal phase 3 trial in preparation for the filing of an NDA with the FDA seeking US approval of Lodotraâ„¢ for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of RA including morning stiffness. Lodotraâ„¢ is also being developed for the treatment of severe asthma and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Nitecâ€:tm:s second product candidate is TruNocâ„¢ (tarenflurbil), which is being developed as a treatment of neuropathic pain and other chronic inflammation and pain-related diseases. Nitec is conducting pharmacokinetic studies in preparation for phase 2 trials in neuropathic pain.

Action Pharma A/S develops novel drugs for cardio vascular treatment. The company also conducts pre-clinical and early clinical trials of new pharmaceutical products and treatment concepts for cardiovascular, inflammatory, and acquired metabolic diseases. Its products include COMPOUND AP1189, an oral anti-inflammatory compound under development for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis; and COMPOUND AP405, a modified MSH peptide analogue under development for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. Action Pharma A/S was founded in 2000 and is based in Aarhus, Denmark.

Santaris Pharma A/S is a privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of RNA-targeted therapies. The LNA Drug Platform and Drug Discovery Engine developed by Santaris Pharma A/S combine the company’s proprietary LNA chemistry with its highly specialized and targeted drug development capabilities to rapidly deliver potent single-stranded LNA-based drug candidates across a multitude of disease states. The company’s research and development activities focus on infectious diseases and cardiometabolic disorders, while partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies include a range of therapeutic areas including cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious and inflammatory diseases, and rare genetic disorders. The company has strategic partnerships with miRagen Therapeutics, Shire PLC, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Enzon Pharmaceuticals. As part of its broad patent estate, the company holds exclusive worldwide rights to manufacture, have manufactured and sell products that contain LNA as an active ingredient for studies performed with a view to obtaining marketing approval. Santaris Pharma A/S, founded in 2003, is headquartered in Denmark with operations in the United States.

Coley Pharmaceutical Group operates as a biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics and drug candidates that direct the human immune system to fight cancers, asthma and allergy, autoimmune disorders, and to enhance the effectiveness of vaccines. The company was formerly known as CpG ImmunoPharmaceuticals, Inc. and in August 2000 it changed its name to Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Inc. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in Wellesley, Massachusetts. As of December 28, 2007, Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc.

Develogen is a biology-driven drug discovery company that is engaged in the development of therapies for diabetes and obesity. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Georgia, United States.

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.

FRIZ Biochem GmbH, founded in Oct. 2004, is a privately-held biotech company located in Neuried near Munich. The company initially focused on the development of advanced electronic biochips and gradually integrated the complete workflow of molecular diagnostics into its development efforts. FRIZ Biochem offers novel, highly innovative and broadly applicable molecular diagnostics solutions (instruments, analytical techniques, chemistries, sample preparation etc.) with special emphasis on Point-of-Care applications. FRIZ Biochem addresses the challenge of providing a combination of simplification and improved information in a time-frame where the result affects medical intervention.

Cytos is a public biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of targeted immunotherapies with a VLP B-cell vaccines platform and ongoing preclinical development programs based on the platform.

CareX SA is a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel treatments for metabolic and immune system disorders which includes diabetes and obesity. The company focuses on metabolic syndrome, a cluster of inter-related disorders of the body’s metabolism, including high blood pressure, high insulin levels, excess body weight, and abnormal cholesterol levels, that exposes individuals to the development of type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and strokes. CareX SA is a France-based company that was founded in 2001 and the company was acquired by 7TM Pharma on May 24, 2006.

Roche Glycart develops antibody drug candidates, which include GA101, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to increase direct- and immune-mediated target cell death; and GA201, a humanized glycoengineered antibody for solid tumors.

Cytos is a public biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of targeted immunotherapies with a VLP B-cell vaccines platform and ongoing preclinical development programs based on the platform.

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.

Pieris Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops drugs to fight cancer, severe asthma, anemia, and other medical conditions with unmet medical needs. The company applies its proprietary Anticalin® technology to the drug development processes. Pieris Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2001 and is based in Freising, Bayern.

Zalicus Inc., formerly CombinatoRx, Incorporated, is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing drug candidates with a focus on the treatment of pain and inflammation. The Company has devoted substantially all of its resources to the development of its drug discovery technology and the research and development of its drug candidates, including conducting preclinical and clinical trials and seeking intellectual property protection for its technology and product candidates. On March 1, 2010, the United States Food and Drug Administration, (FDA), approved the New Drug Application (NDA) for Exalgo (hydromorphone HCl) extended-release tablets, for the management of moderate to severe pain in opioid tolerant patients requiring continuous, around-the-clock opioid analgesia for an extended period of time. On December 21, 2009, the Company merged with Neuromed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Intercell AG, a biotechnology company, engages in the design and development of vaccines for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. It discovers and develops antigens and adjuvants, which are derived from its proprietary technology platforms. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

Santaris Pharma A/S is a privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of RNA-targeted therapies. The LNA Drug Platform and Drug Discovery Engine developed by Santaris Pharma A/S combine the company’s proprietary LNA chemistry with its highly specialized and targeted drug development capabilities to rapidly deliver potent single-stranded LNA-based drug candidates across a multitude of disease states. The company’s research and development activities focus on infectious diseases and cardiometabolic disorders, while partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies include a range of therapeutic areas including cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious and inflammatory diseases, and rare genetic disorders. The company has strategic partnerships with miRagen Therapeutics, Shire PLC, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Enzon Pharmaceuticals. As part of its broad patent estate, the company holds exclusive worldwide rights to manufacture, have manufactured and sell products that contain LNA as an active ingredient for studies performed with a view to obtaining marketing approval. Santaris Pharma A/S, founded in 2003, is headquartered in Denmark with operations in the United States.

Coapt Systems, Inc. engages in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of bio-absorbable implants for use in soft tissue fixation during facial cosmetic surgery procedures. It offers ENDOTINE Forehead 3.0, a bioabsorbable brow fixation device; ENDOTINE Forehead Instrument Kits that comprise insertion tools, drill bits, and sterilization trays with lids; ENDOTINE Triple 3.0, the bioabsorbable brow fixation devices with disposable drill bits and insertion tools; ENDOTINE TransBleph 3.0, a bioabsorbable upper lid and brow fixation devices. The company also provides ENDOTINE Midface ST 4.5, a bioabsorbable midface suspension devices; ENDOTINE Ribbon, a bioabsorbable fixation devices; Coapt Manual Surgical Drills, the manual surgical hand drills for use with ENDOTINE implants; and SurgiWire Incisionless Dissectors, the subcutaneous The Endotine product line was bought by MicroAire, a surgical device manufacturer in Charlottesville, VA, in August 2010.

Nitec is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization and development of medicines to treat chronic inflammation and pain-related diseases. It seeks to address areas of high unmet medical need within these markets by developing proprietary products based on well-characterized pharmaceuticals and disease targets. The Company is a spin-out of Merck KGaA and is headquartered in the Basel region of Switzerland. Since its formation in 2004, Nitec has developed and commercialized its lead product, Lodotraâ„¢. Nitecâ€:tm:s most advanced product candidate is Lodotraâ„¢, a circadian cytokine modulator, which successfully completed a European phase 3 trial in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2006. In January 2009, Lodotraâ„¢ was recommended for European regulatory approval for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (“RA”), particularly the associated and debilitating morning stiffness, following the successful completion of a phase III trial (CAPRA-1) in 2006. Germany was the Reference Member State and Lodotraâ„¢ is now also expected approvable by the regulatory agencies of 14 other countries under the Decentralized Procedure. In March Nitec announced a European partnership for Lodotraâ€:tm:s commercialization with MundiPharma. Merck KGaA, which holds the distribution rights to Lodotraâ„¢ in Germany and Austria, have recently launched the product in Germany. Nitec is conducting a second pivotal phase 3 trial in preparation for the filing of an NDA with the FDA seeking US approval of Lodotraâ„¢ for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of RA including morning stiffness. Lodotraâ„¢ is also being developed for the treatment of severe asthma and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Nitecâ€:tm:s second product candidate is TruNocâ„¢ (tarenflurbil), which is being developed as a treatment of neuropathic pain and other chronic inflammation and pain-related diseases. Nitec is conducting pharmacokinetic studies in preparation for phase 2 trials in neuropathic pain.

Spinal Cord Therapeutics GmbH develops treatments for spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord Therapeutics focuses on the treatment of traumatic injury to the central nervous system.