Flare Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing small molecule medicines by exploring the biology of transcription factors. The company utilizes insights from its scientific founders to identify "switch sites," which are druggable regions that play a crucial role in regulating transcription factors and addressing disease-related mutations. Flare's innovative drug discovery efforts have led to a promising pipeline of drug programs targeting well-validated transcription factors, with an initial emphasis on precision oncology. The company's platform also holds potential for applications in neurology, rare genetic disorders, immunology, and inflammation, aiming to transform treatment approaches for various diseases.
Huma.AI, Inc. is a technology company based in Palo Alto, California, that focuses on knowledge automation for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Incorporated in 2016, Huma.AI addresses inefficiencies caused by complex and disconnected systems that hinder data accessibility and insights. The company's platform connects disparate data silos through natural language processing, enabling users to easily access information and gain actionable insights without requiring specialized technical knowledge. By simplifying interactions with data, Huma.AI aims to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency in a sector characterized by an overwhelming volume of information.
Contraline, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, focused on developing innovative male birth control solutions. The company has created Echo-V, an ultrasound-visible polymer solution that is injected into the vas deferens, forming a semi-permeable hydrogel device that blocks sperm while allowing bodily fluids to pass through. This product is part of a non-surgical procedure known as Vasintomy. Contraline's first product, Adam, utilizes a proprietary injectable hydrogel platform and is designed for a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. Adam is non-hormonal, intended to provide effective contraception for several years, and can be easily reversed. Established in 2015, Contraline aims to advance reproductive health through its unique approaches to male contraception.
Laplace developing Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Technology to offer an increase in life expectancy and an improvement to the quality of life to worldwide patients with tricuspid regurgitation.
Fluid Biomed Inc. is a Calgary-based company that specializes in the development of innovative implantable vascular stents aimed at enhancing patient well-being. Established in 2012, the company focuses on creating a stent designed to gently divert blood flow away from brain aneurysms, facilitating their healing process. Through its commitment to innovation, Fluid Biomed seeks to improve health outcomes and overall quality of life for patients.
IgGenix, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative antibody therapeutics for the treatment of food and other severe allergies. Founded in 2019 and based in South San Francisco, California, the company specializes in isolating and transforming allergen-specific IgE antibodies into IgG antibodies. This process aims to alleviate and prevent allergic reactions by suppressing the allergic cascade. IgGenix captures and analyzes rare human B cells that produce allergen-binding antibodies and engineers these cells to enhance their immune-modulating properties. By addressing critical needs in the medical industry, IgGenix seeks to provide effective solutions for life-threatening allergic reactions.
Developer of portable magnetic resonance imaging machines designed to offer diagnosis and interventions for neurological conditions. The company's device focuses on imaging for triaging, screening, diagnosing, and intervening in the treatment of various brain conditions that range from traumatic injury to epilepsy and tumors, enabling patients with a point of care shift for those who have experienced a stroke and facilitate the use of direct robotic interventions outside of the traditional magnetic resonance suite.
Emboline, Inc. is a medical device company specializing in the development of cardiovascular embolic protection devices for various cardiac procedures. The company has created innovative technologies such as the Emboline Complete Accessible Protection and the Emboliner catheter, which are designed to protect the arterial bed and cerebral arteries, respectively. These devices are particularly useful during percutaneous heart valve repair and replacement procedures, as they mitigate the risk of embolic events that can impact critical organs. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, Emboline serves diverse markets, including cardiac surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass, interventional cardiology, and interventional electrophysiology. As of early 2013, Emboline operates as a subsidiary of CardioLogical Solutions.
EpimAb Biotherapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company based in Shanghai, China, focused on the research and development of novel bispecific antibody therapeutics. Utilizing its proprietary Fabs-In-Tandem Immunoglobulin (FIT-Ig) platform, the company creates bispecific molecules that possess antibody-like properties. This innovative approach aims to address the challenges associated with developing effective bi-specific antibodies, which are engineered from two different monoclonal antibodies to combine their therapeutic features into a single entity. These bispecific antibodies hold promise for treating various life-threatening conditions, particularly in immuno-oncology, by offering new therapeutic options. Despite the potential benefits of bi-specific antibodies, many candidates face hurdles in development due to issues related to their binding properties, pharmacokinetics, and production costs. EpimAb Biotherapeutics is positioned to contribute to the growing need for advanced bi-specific therapeutics in the pharmaceutical industry.
SetPoint Medical Corporation is a clinical-stage bioelectronic medicine company based in Valencia, California, focused on developing implantable neuromodulation devices for treating chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's Disease. The company leverages the Inflammatory Reflex, a natural mechanism that allows the central nervous system to regulate the immune system, which has been extensively studied and documented in scientific literature. SetPoint's proprietary microregulator aims to enhance this reflex through vagus nerve stimulation, offering an alternative treatment option that provides systemic anti-inflammatory effects. The devices are designed to supplement the body's natural responses and are expected to deliver comparable anti-inflammatory potency to leading medications, while potentially offering improved safety and lower costs. Currently, SetPoint is conducting human trials for its technology at multiple centers in Europe.
Aqua Medical, Inc. develops a disruptive, vapor-based, endoscopic, ablation technology to treat gastrointestinal (GI) disease and prevent GI cancers. Its ablation technology includes high temperature water vapor created by a radio frequency generator and delivered endoscopically through proprietary catheters to the GI tract. The company’s platform technology uses a vapor generator system with two catheter types to deliver treatment for multiple diseases throughout the GI tract. The company was incorporated in 2016 and is based in Santa Ana, California.
OrthoFX, LLC is a California-based company that specializes in online clear aligner technology for dental straightening. Founded in 2018, it offers a range of services, including full treatment plans and smile evolution treatments. OrthoFX focuses on a dentist-delivered, consumer-driven approach to orthodontics, providing a user-friendly experience for both doctors and patients. The company utilizes advanced technologies such as virtual treatment coordinators, wear-time tracking sensors, AI-powered remote treatment monitoring, and proprietary materials. Additionally, it offers integrated financing and insurance concierge services, which aim to streamline the treatment process and improve patient outcomes.
Zeto Inc. is a medical technology company based in Santa Clara, California, focused on revolutionizing the electroencephalography (EEG) process in hospitals. Founded in 2014, Zeto has developed an innovative EEG system featuring a wireless, easy-to-wear headset equipped with dry electrodes that eliminates the need for extensive preparation and trained technicians. This device allows for rapid setup, reducing the time required for EEG testing from over 30 minutes to just 5 minutes. Additionally, Zeto's cloud platform facilitates instant data upload, live viewing, and remote interpretation by neurologists, enhancing the overall patient experience and diagnostic efficiency. The company has received multiple awards for its contributions to medical technology, including recognition from the Epilepsy Foundation and UCSF's QB3.
Private Equity Round in 2020
ZAP Surgical Systems, Inc. designs and manufactures the ZAP-X® radiosurgery platform. ZAP-X incorporates a unique self-shielded design that typically eliminates the need for traditional radiation vaults, and thus enables simple point-of-care delivery in locations previously unfeasible or cost-prohibitive, including physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, and satellite facilities.
Meditrina, Inc., founded in 2016 and based in San Jose, California, specializes in developing innovative medical devices for tissue removal solutions related to intrauterine pathology. The company provides the Aveta system, designed for healthcare professionals to facilitate hysteroscopic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including the removal of polyps and fibroids. In addition to its tissue removal products, Meditrina is also focused on creating fully disposable endoscopes and a comprehensive visualization system intended for use in both office and clinical settings, catering to various medical procedures.
Lucira Health develops a new class of professional and home-health solutions to help illuminate and elucidate health status to expedite decision-making and treatment. The company's at-home test kit is well suited for home use and the molecular nucleic acid amplification technology is adaptable to COVID-19 detection. Lucira Health produces inexpensive, disposable health diagnostic hardware that transforms any smartphone into a portable, real-time health-monitoring device for rapid, accessible, multiplexed analysis of bodily fluids anywhere in the world. It enables consumers to take the first step in their healthcare management through at-home diagnosis and a companion mobile app to provide follow up treatment. Lucira Health was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Emeryville, California, United States.
Corinth MedTech, Inc. is a medical technology company based in Cupertino, California, that specializes in manufacturing disposable bipolar transurethral and transcervical resectoscopes. Founded in 2011, the company has developed a bipolar transurethral resection system designed for endoscopically controlled tissue removal. This system is specifically intended for male patients suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and for female patients with conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, or polyps that necessitate hysteroscopic tissue removal. Corinth MedTech aims to provide effective solutions for these medical conditions through its innovative product offerings.
Apostle, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California. The company specializes in developing AI-enabled nanoDiagnostics technology aimed at enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of liquid biopsies for early cancer detection. Apostle's innovative approach utilizes circulating free DNA (cfDNA) technologies to assess cancerous signals in human peripheral blood plasma. By leveraging artificial intelligence, Apostle enables healthcare professionals to identify cancer at an early stage, facilitating timely surgical interventions. The company is engaged in research, development, licensing, and sales of its novel bioinformatics-enabled nanotechnologies and related intellectual properties, products, and services for diagnosing and treating various human diseases, particularly cancer.
Atia Vision, Inc. operates as a medical device company. It develops modular presbyopia correcting intraocular lens to address the needs in intraocular lens replacement market. Atia Vision, Inc. was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Campbell, California.
Berkeley Lights, Inc. is a digital cell biology company based in Emeryville, California, established in 2011. The company focuses on accelerating the development and commercialization of biotherapeutics and other cell-based products through its integrated platform. This platform includes proprietary consumables, such as OptoSelect chips and reagent kits, along with automation systems and workflow software. Utilizing micro-droplet technology, Berkeley Lights offers research and development services that transform how scientists study cell interactions, significantly enhancing the efficiency of cellular therapies. Their solutions cater to various sectors, including biotherapeutic discovery, cellular therapy manufacturing, synthetic biology, and agricultural biotechnology, helping clients meet the increasing demands of cell-based processes.
NeuroVasc Technologies, Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing catheter-based technologies for the treatment of neurovascular diseases, particularly strokes. The company's flagship product, Versi, is a mechanical thrombectomy system that features a flow protector and a retriever, allowing for the regulation of blood flow during clot retrieval without the need for a balloon guide catheter. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Laguna Hills, California, NeuroVasc Technologies aims to provide innovative treatment options for patients suffering from strokes and enhance the overall care within the medical community.
Refuge Biotechnologies, Inc. is a Menlo Park, California-based company focused on developing cancer immunotherapies. Established in 2015, it utilizes synthetic biology and gene-editing technology, specifically CRISPR-dCas, to create innovative treatments. The company's approach involves engineering cell therapies that can sense their environment and simultaneously activate or repress multiple genes. This strategy aims to enhance the effectiveness and precision of cancer treatments, moving beyond traditional methods that target a single function. Through its research and development efforts, Refuge Biotechnologies is dedicated to advancing cancer diagnostics and therapies to improve patient outcomes.
Emboline, Inc. is a medical device company specializing in the development of cardiovascular embolic protection devices for various cardiac procedures. The company has created innovative technologies such as the Emboline Complete Accessible Protection and the Emboliner catheter, which are designed to protect the arterial bed and cerebral arteries, respectively. These devices are particularly useful during percutaneous heart valve repair and replacement procedures, as they mitigate the risk of embolic events that can impact critical organs. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, Emboline serves diverse markets, including cardiac surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass, interventional cardiology, and interventional electrophysiology. As of early 2013, Emboline operates as a subsidiary of CardioLogical Solutions.
Zenflow, Inc. is a medical device company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2014 by a team of Stanford University Biodesign Fellows in collaboration with leading urologists. The company focuses on developing and marketing a spring device designed to provide relief for permanent benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms in men. Zenflow's product addresses urinary obstruction without damaging surrounding tissues, offering a novel solution for patients and healthcare providers. The founders were motivated by the frustrations experienced by patients with existing treatment options, aiming to fulfill a significant unmet clinical need in urology.
Ceribell, Inc. specializes in the design and manufacture of medical devices aimed at acquiring and interpreting electroencephalography (EEG) data for patients with neurological conditions. The company offers the Ceribell EEG System, which includes a versatile EEG headband accommodating various hair types and head sizes, and a compact, battery-operated EEG recorder that delivers clinical-quality data with an on-device display. Ceribell focuses on improving the accessibility and efficiency of EEG technology by developing an FDA-cleared instant EEG system that can be set up by any healthcare provider in just six minutes, eliminating the need for specialized technologists. This system features a unique Brain Stethoscope function that converts brainwaves into sound, allowing for the detection of seizures through auditory means. By facilitating earlier diagnoses and targeted treatments for seizures, including non-convulsive seizures, Ceribell aims to enhance patient outcomes while reducing risks such as mortality and complications. Founded in 2014 and based in Mountain View, California, Ceribell is committed to transforming the diagnosis and management of serious neurological conditions in acute care settings.
Refuge Biotechnologies, Inc. is a Menlo Park, California-based company focused on developing cancer immunotherapies. Established in 2015, it utilizes synthetic biology and gene-editing technology, specifically CRISPR-dCas, to create innovative treatments. The company's approach involves engineering cell therapies that can sense their environment and simultaneously activate or repress multiple genes. This strategy aims to enhance the effectiveness and precision of cancer treatments, moving beyond traditional methods that target a single function. Through its research and development efforts, Refuge Biotechnologies is dedicated to advancing cancer diagnostics and therapies to improve patient outcomes.