Rex Health Ventures

Rex Health Ventures, founded in 2012 and based in North Carolina, is a private equity firm focused on early-stage investments in healthcare and related technology companies. The firm is dedicated to discovering and developing innovative treatments, tools, products, and services that enhance the quality of healthcare. By investing in and partnering with entrepreneurs and companies, Rex Health Ventures aims to facilitate the entry of novel healthcare solutions into the marketplace. Their strategic initiatives include a comprehensive platform designed to support healthcare innovation, guiding promising startups from the initial idea phase through commercialization and expansion while addressing the unique challenges faced by early-stage ventures.

Bobby Helmedag

Managing Director

Anita Watkins

Managing Director

Past deals in North Carolina

Pryon

Funding Round in 2021
Pryon Inc. is an artificial intelligence company headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, that specializes in augmented intelligence solutions for enterprises. Founded in 2017, Pryon has developed a platform that enhances the capabilities of employees by facilitating access to knowledge and streamlining workflows. The platform intelligently orchestrates information across various channels and sources, utilizing advanced AI techniques such as natural language processing and context awareness. This enables organizations to navigate unstructured data more effectively, improve decision-making, and reduce operational complexities and costs. Through its innovative approach, Pryon aims to support businesses in their digital transformation efforts by making knowledge more accessible and actionable.

Pryon

Venture Round in 2021
Pryon Inc. is an artificial intelligence company headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, that specializes in augmented intelligence solutions for enterprises. Founded in 2017, Pryon has developed a platform that enhances the capabilities of employees by facilitating access to knowledge and streamlining workflows. The platform intelligently orchestrates information across various channels and sources, utilizing advanced AI techniques such as natural language processing and context awareness. This enables organizations to navigate unstructured data more effectively, improve decision-making, and reduce operational complexities and costs. Through its innovative approach, Pryon aims to support businesses in their digital transformation efforts by making knowledge more accessible and actionable.

Emergo Therapeutics

Series A in 2018
Emergo Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical startup that develops treatment options for flu-like illnesses. It is focused on developing drugs to modulate inflammatory cytokines and improve the functioning of the immune system in various potential indications, starting with infectious diseases. Emergo’s therapeutic interventions are focused on reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines from mast cells. Emergo is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.

Target PharmaSolutions

Series A in 2016
TARGET PharmaSolutions, Inc. specializes in providing real-world data (RWD) solutions that facilitate drug development and commercialization. Established in 2015 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, the company creates customized datasets and analyses to address healthcare evidence questions. It offers a comprehensive health evidence solution that aggregates RWD from a network of clinical sites, alongside bio specimen samples and consulting services. The foundation of TARGET PharmaSolutions was influenced by the HCV-TARGET project, which began in 2011 and demonstrated the effectiveness of their model in Hepatitis C research. The initiative has garnered significant support, influencing labels for sponsors and helping to avoid costly Phase IV commitments. The FDA has actively engaged with the HCV-TARGET project, reflecting its relevance in clinical analysis and healthcare outcomes.

Phononic

Series E in 2016
Phononic is a growth stage, semiconductor hardware company commercializing solid-state heat pumps and fully integrated systems that displace compressors, heat sinks, and fans for electronics cooling; residential and commercial refrigeration; and climate control. The company’s disruptive approach combines high-performance solid-state heat pumps integrated into a manufacturing-friendly systems architecture that realizes products that are smart, sustainable, and solid state-driven.

Arrivo BioVentures

Series A in 2016
Arrivo BioVentures LLC is a biopharmaceutical company based in Morrisville, North Carolina, that specializes in the development of biologics and small molecules aimed at enhancing patient outcomes. Founded in 2015, the company focuses on drug development, leveraging its expertise to create reformulated products, new chemical entities, and biologics. Arrivo BioVentures emphasizes the importance of collaboration with regulatory bodies, such as the FDA, to streamline the approval process and efficiently execute clinical programs. By proactively engaging with regulators, the company seeks to minimize unexpected challenges and accelerate the implementation of its development programs.

Baebies

Venture Round in 2015
Baebies, Inc. specializes in manufacturing screening and pediatric testing equipment for newborns. The company produces SEEKER, a laboratory solution that simultaneously conducts multiple assays to quantitatively measure lysosomal enzyme activity from a single dried blood spot specimen. Additionally, Baebies offers FINDER, a near-patient testing device designed for pediatric applications. Serving hospitals and public health laboratories, Baebies aims to enhance newborn screening and pediatric testing through innovative technologies. Founded in 2014 by Richard West and Vamsee Pamula, the company has evolved from the successful development of digital microfluidics technology and the sale of Advanced Liquid Logic to Illumina. Based in Durham, North Carolina, Baebies focuses on improving health outcomes for children by introducing new tests and solutions for healthcare professionals and parents.

Baebies

Series A in 2015
Baebies, Inc. specializes in manufacturing screening and pediatric testing equipment for newborns. The company produces SEEKER, a laboratory solution that simultaneously conducts multiple assays to quantitatively measure lysosomal enzyme activity from a single dried blood spot specimen. Additionally, Baebies offers FINDER, a near-patient testing device designed for pediatric applications. Serving hospitals and public health laboratories, Baebies aims to enhance newborn screening and pediatric testing through innovative technologies. Founded in 2014 by Richard West and Vamsee Pamula, the company has evolved from the successful development of digital microfluidics technology and the sale of Advanced Liquid Logic to Illumina. Based in Durham, North Carolina, Baebies focuses on improving health outcomes for children by introducing new tests and solutions for healthcare professionals and parents.

Aerial BioPharma

Venture Round in 2012
Aerial BioPharma LLC is a biopharmaceutical company based in Morrisville, North Carolina, founded in 2011. The company specializes in drug development targeting conditions influenced by processes in the central nervous system. Aerial BioPharma is dedicated to creating both biologics and small molecules aimed at addressing various central nervous system disorders. Situated on the edge of Research Triangle Park, the company leverages its location to advance its research and development initiatives in this specialized field.