Merida Biosciences
Series A in 2025
Merida Biosciences is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of precision therapies for autoimmune diseases. It employs a protein engineering platform to create novel Fc therapeutics, which selectively target and neutralize specific antibodies, aiming to treat the root cause of antibody-driven diseases with high precision and durability.
Isomorphic Labs
Venture Round in 2025
Isomorphic Labs is a biotechnology company that leverages artificial intelligence to revolutionize drug discovery. It develops advanced platforms to analyze and interpret complex biological data, aiding in the identification of potential drug candidates. The company partners with pharmaceutical firms to enhance the efficiency and precision of drug development by offering services such as data analysis, modeling, and simulation.
Santa Ana Bio
Series B in 2024
Santa Ana Bio is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of precision immunology therapies for autoimmune diseases. It employs advanced multi-omics platforms and antibody engineering techniques to design targeted biologics, aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Cerevance
Series B in 2024
Cerevance develops novel therapeutics for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other chronic neurodegenerative conditions. It uses a proprietary platform to profile specific brain cell types in human tissue samples, enabling the identification of promising targets for new treatments.
Areteia Therapeutics
Series A in 2024
Areteia Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing oral therapies for eosinophilic asthma to improve disease control. The company was spun out of Knopp and is advancing an oral drug designed to inhibit eosinophil maturation, aiming to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of severe asthma. Phase 2 data from its program indicated the oral candidate lowers blood eosinophil counts, a marker associated with better lung function. By pursuing an oral, non-injectable treatment option, Areteia seeks to offer a convenient alternative to injectable therapies and broaden access for asthma patients. The company’s work centers on targeting eosinophil-related pathways to enhance asthma management and patient quality of life.
Accent Therapeutics
Series C in 2024
Accent Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecule therapies for oncology, utilizing the emerging field of epitranscriptomics. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company explores the post-transcriptional chemical modifications of RNA, which play a crucial role in regulating proteins essential for cellular growth and differentiation. By precisely targeting cancer-associated RNA-modifying proteins, Accent Therapeutics aims to innovate and deliver transformative therapies that can significantly improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment.
Moonwalk Biosciences
Series A in 2024
Moonwalk Biosciences is a genomic medicine startup focused on developing precision epigenetic therapeutics. The company specializes in creating a profiling and engineering technology platform that leverages advanced artificial intelligence predictions to offer a comprehensive view of the epigenome in both health and disease states. This innovative approach aims to revolutionize therapy discovery and development, enabling healthcare providers to reprogram cells back to their healthy state.
Tome Biosciences
Series A in 2023
Tome Biosciences is a biotechnology company specializing in programmable gene insertion technology. Utilizing CRISPR, the company develops methods to insert genetic sequences of any size at various locations within any genome. This innovative approach aims to enhance the ability to detect and eliminate deoxyribonucleic acid from similar bacteriophages during infections. By advancing cell and genome engineering, Tome Biosciences seeks to provide effective therapeutic solutions for patients, paving the way for significant advancements in genetic medicine.
Seismic Therapeutic
Series B in 2023
Seismic Therapeutic is a biotechnology company focused on advancing immunology drug development through the integration of machine learning in the biologics discovery process. Utilizing its proprietary IMPACTâ„¢ platform, Seismic Therapeutic addresses critical challenges in the development of biologics by combining machine learning with structural biology, protein engineering, and translational immunology. This innovative approach aims to create optimized therapies for patients more efficiently. The company is developing a pipeline of biologics specifically targeting adaptive immune system dysregulation to treat various autoimmune diseases.
Gate Bioscience
Series A in 2023
Gate Bioscience is a biotechnology company focused on developing small molecule drugs aimed at treating challenging diseases by selectively eliminating harmful extracellular proteins at their source within cells. The company utilizes a unique library of molecular gates along with specialized secretion-focused assays and technologies, leveraging its deep understanding of the biology of the secretory pathway. This approach facilitates precise, rapid, and repeatable drug discovery, allowing for the potential to address a diverse array of diseases using a single therapeutic mechanism.
ROME Therapeutics
Series B in 2023
ROME Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Founded in 2019, the company utilizes the repeatome, which encompasses extensive segments of genetic material previously regarded as "junk DNA," to identify new drug targets and advance multiple discovery programs. ROME Therapeutics has assembled a team of experts in oncology, immunology, virology, and machine learning to drive its research and development efforts, aiming to harness this uncharted area of biology for effective treatments. Through its work, ROME seeks to provide healthcare professionals with powerful new options for addressing complex medical challenges.
Nimbus Therapeutics
Private Equity Round in 2023
Nimbus Therapeutics, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on discovering and developing innovative medicines for serious diseases, including metabolic disorders, cancer, and immune-inflammatory conditions. Founded in 2009, the company utilizes a computational technology-driven approach to advance a pipeline of novel small-molecule therapeutics. Nimbus Therapeutics specializes in designing allosteric inhibitors, notably targeting Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase for conditions such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The company has established strategic partnerships with organizations like Charles River Laboratories and Celgene Corporation to enhance its drug development efforts. In March 2015, Nimbus Discovery rebranded itself as Nimbus Therapeutics to better reflect its transition into a clinical-stage enterprise.
EpiBiologics
Series A in 2023
EpiBiologics is a biotechnology company focused on developing antibody-based targeted therapies aimed at membrane and extracellular proteins that contribute to various diseases. Utilizing its proprietary EpiTAC platform, EpiBiologics creates therapeutics designed to degrade these disease-driving proteins, addressing the underlying biology of a wide range of disorders. The company's innovative approach enables researchers to manipulate cellular proteostasis, offering potential advancements in the treatment of challenging health conditions.
Delve Bio
Series A in 2023
Delve Bio is a biotechnology company that provides molecular insights to guide precision patient care, offering pathogen-agnostic and unbiased detection of neuro-infectious pathogens in cerebrospinal fluid to enable laboratories and clinicians to diagnose routine and rare infectious diseases with actionable results.
Bitterroot Bio
Series A in 2023
Bitterroot Bio specializes in developing innovative therapies for cardiovascular disease by harnessing the power of immunotherapy.
Antiva Biosciences
Series E in 2023
Antiva Biosciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing antiviral therapies for human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Established in 2012, the company aims to prevent cancer by treating precancerous lesions associated with HPV. Antiva's innovative approach includes localized therapeutics and small molecule antivirals that target HPV and other viral infections. The company is currently conducting clinical trials for high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasias and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasias. Through its medicinal chemistry platform, Antiva strives to enhance health outcomes for patients affected by HPV-related diseases and other viral infections.
EpiBiologics
Series A in 2023
EpiBiologics is a biotechnology company focused on developing antibody-based targeted therapies aimed at membrane and extracellular proteins that contribute to various diseases. Utilizing its proprietary EpiTAC platform, EpiBiologics creates therapeutics designed to degrade these disease-driving proteins, addressing the underlying biology of a wide range of disorders. The company's innovative approach enables researchers to manipulate cellular proteostasis, offering potential advancements in the treatment of challenging health conditions.
Chroma Medicine
Series B in 2023
Chroma Medicine is a genomic medicine company founded in 2021 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in epigenetic editing. The company is pioneering a new class of genomic therapies aimed at revolutionizing the treatment of genetically driven diseases. By utilizing epigenetics, which is the natural mechanism for gene regulation, Chroma Medicine develops programmable epigenetic editors that target specific genes and modulate chromatin conformation. This innovative approach enables healthcare providers to achieve precise control of gene expression, offering a promising therapeutic option for conditions linked to genetic anomalies.
Santa Ana Bio
Series A in 2023
Santa Ana Bio is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of precision immunology therapies for autoimmune diseases. It employs advanced multi-omics platforms and antibody engineering techniques to design targeted biologics, aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Cerevance
Series B in 2023
Cerevance develops novel therapeutics for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other chronic neurodegenerative conditions. It uses a proprietary platform to profile specific brain cell types in human tissue samples, enabling the identification of promising targets for new treatments.
Pretzel Therapeutics
Series A in 2022
Pretzel Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for mitochondrial dysfunction. Founded by leading experts in mitochondrial biology, the company aims to address the underlying causes of mitochondrial dysfunction through a thorough understanding of mitochondrial mechanisms. By creating innovative treatments, Pretzel Therapeutics seeks to provide effective solutions for a range of diseases, particularly those related to aging. The company is dedicated to advancing the field of mitochondrial medicine and improving patient outcomes through targeted therapeutic approaches.
Vicinitas Therapeutics
Series A in 2022
Vicinitas Therapeutics is a biotech startup that specializes in developing medicines that impact patient lives. Its vision is to use its proprietary Deubiquitinase Targeting Chimera (DUBTAC) platform to restore the levels of aberrantly degraded proteins that cause disease to confer therapeutic benefit.
Xilis, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2019 and based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The company specializes in developing next-generation organoid technologies aimed at guiding precision therapy for cancer patients and enhancing drug discovery processes. Its flagship platform, XilisµO, facilitates rapid diagnostics, personalized drug screening, and the creation of scalable patient-derived models, which support high-throughput drug discovery. By enabling both physicians and pharmaceutical companies to conduct tailored drug screenings, Xilis aims to lower costs and improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients.
Areteia Therapeutics
Series A in 2022
Areteia Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing oral therapies for eosinophilic asthma to improve disease control. The company was spun out of Knopp and is advancing an oral drug designed to inhibit eosinophil maturation, aiming to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of severe asthma. Phase 2 data from its program indicated the oral candidate lowers blood eosinophil counts, a marker associated with better lung function. By pursuing an oral, non-injectable treatment option, Areteia seeks to offer a convenient alternative to injectable therapies and broaden access for asthma patients. The company’s work centers on targeting eosinophil-related pathways to enhance asthma management and patient quality of life.
Aspen Neuroscience
Series B in 2022
Aspen Neuroscience develops autologous neuron replacement therapies based on induced pluripotent stem cells to treat neurological conditions, starting with Parkinson's disease. The company uses patient-specific restorative cell therapies by combining pluripotent stem cell biology with genomic approaches and artificial intelligence to address both sporadic and familial forms of Parkinson's disease, focusing on autologous neuron replacement to modify disease progression. Based in San Diego, California, the company is a development-stage biotechnology company pursuing expansion of its iPSC-based platform to other brain disorders.
Celsius Therapeutics
Series B in 2022
Celsius Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing precision medicines for patients suffering from cancer and autoimmune diseases. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating the expertise of scientists, computational biologists, and clinicians. Celsius Therapeutics utilizes advanced techniques such as single-cell genomic analysis and machine learning to identify and develop innovative therapeutic solutions. By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, the company aims to create life-changing medicines that address unmet medical needs.
LifeMine Therapeutics
Series C in 2022
LifeMine Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the genomic discovery of new drug modalities derived from eukaryotic microbes, specifically fungi. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with an additional office in New York, it employs an integrated drug discovery platform that combines genomics, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology. LifeMine’s Avatar-Rx platform utilizes high-throughput microbiology, data science, genome engineering, and automation technologies to identify novel gene-encoded molecules (GEMs) with specific biological functions. The company emphasizes chemoinformatic-assisted drug optimization and advanced chemical synthesis, enabling the progression of new product candidates into development. Founded by experts in the field, LifeMine Therapeutics aims to innovate medicine through its unique approach to leveraging the fungal biosphere.
Ventus Therapeutics
Series C in 2022
Ventus Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative small molecule medicines that target the innate immune system. The company employs a structural immunology platform that provides deep insights into molecular structures and mechanisms, enabling precise targeting of the innate immune system. Ventus combines advanced protein engineering capabilities with cutting-edge rational and structure-based drug design tools to create therapeutics aimed at treating autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, and cancer. The company is actively building a diverse pipeline of drug programs that address significant targets within the innate immune system, with the goal of advancing treatments for both acute and chronic inflammatory and immune-related diseases.
Seismic Therapeutic
Series A in 2022
Seismic Therapeutic is a biotechnology company focused on advancing immunology drug development through the integration of machine learning in the biologics discovery process. Utilizing its proprietary IMPACTâ„¢ platform, Seismic Therapeutic addresses critical challenges in the development of biologics by combining machine learning with structural biology, protein engineering, and translational immunology. This innovative approach aims to create optimized therapies for patients more efficiently. The company is developing a pipeline of biologics specifically targeting adaptive immune system dysregulation to treat various autoimmune diseases.
TenSixteen Bio
Series A in 2022
TenSixteen Bio is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative therapeutics targeting various diseases. It leverages somatic mosaicism and clonal hematopoiesis (CHIP) to discover and advance treatments for age-related disorders.
Antiva Biosciences
Series D in 2021
Antiva Biosciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing antiviral therapies for human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Established in 2012, the company aims to prevent cancer by treating precancerous lesions associated with HPV. Antiva's innovative approach includes localized therapeutics and small molecule antivirals that target HPV and other viral infections. The company is currently conducting clinical trials for high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasias and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasias. Through its medicinal chemistry platform, Antiva strives to enhance health outcomes for patients affected by HPV-related diseases and other viral infections.
Cambridge Epigenetix
Series D in 2021
Cambridge Epigenetix Limited is a bioscience company based in Babraham, United Kingdom, specializing in epigenetic tools that aim to transform medical diagnostics. Founded in 2012 as a spin-out from the University of Cambridge, the company is pioneering the clinical applications of epigenetics, particularly through its innovative TrueMethyl technology. This includes oxidative bisulfite sequencing, which allows for the precise sequencing of hydroxymethyl cytosine and methylcytosine at single-base resolution. Cambridge Epigenetix offers a range of products, such as TrueMethyl 6 and TrueMethyl 24 kits, designed for the quantitative measurement and analysis of these critical epigenetic markers. The company’s research highlights the significance of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine as a biomarker for various diseases, including colorectal cancer, and aims to simplify diagnostic processes to a simple blood draw. The firm collaborates with third-party vendors and sells its products directly to business customers both in the UK and internationally.
ROME Therapeutics
Series B in 2021
ROME Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Founded in 2019, the company utilizes the repeatome, which encompasses extensive segments of genetic material previously regarded as "junk DNA," to identify new drug targets and advance multiple discovery programs. ROME Therapeutics has assembled a team of experts in oncology, immunology, virology, and machine learning to drive its research and development efforts, aiming to harness this uncharted area of biology for effective treatments. Through its work, ROME seeks to provide healthcare professionals with powerful new options for addressing complex medical challenges.
Genome Medical
Series C in 2021
Genome Medical operates a platform that connects individuals and healthcare providers with genetic specialists. It offers virtual genetic care services, including clinical consultations for various health areas like cancer, cardiology, and reproductive health. The company uses its Genome Care Delivery technology to facilitate efficient genetic assessments and personalized treatment plans.
Sonoma Biotherapeutics
Series B in 2021
Sonoma Biotherapeutics, Inc. is focused on developing adoptive T regulatory (Treg) cell therapies aimed at treating autoimmune and degenerative diseases. Established in 2019 and based in South San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Seattle, the company employs next-generation genome editing and target-specific cell therapy techniques to innovate in the field of Treg cell therapeutics. The firm aims to create disease-modifying and potentially curative therapies that promote self-tolerance and inhibit harmful inflammatory responses associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Founded by experts in Treg biology and cell therapy, Sonoma Biotherapeutics integrates advanced methodologies to enhance its therapeutic offerings.
Prime Medicine
Series B in 2021
Prime Medicine is a biotechnology company focused on developing genetic therapies using its innovative Prime Editing technology. This next-generation gene editing method allows for precise "search and replace" modifications in the genome, aimed at restoring normal genetic function. The company targets a wide range of diseases with significant unmet medical needs, leveraging the efficiency and versatility of its gene editing capabilities to address the underlying causes of these conditions. Through its commitment to advancing gene editing, Prime Medicine seeks to transform the landscape of genetic medicine.
Xilis, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2019 and based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The company specializes in developing next-generation organoid technologies aimed at guiding precision therapy for cancer patients and enhancing drug discovery processes. Its flagship platform, XilisµO, facilitates rapid diagnostics, personalized drug screening, and the creation of scalable patient-derived models, which support high-throughput drug discovery. By enabling both physicians and pharmaceutical companies to conduct tailored drug screenings, Xilis aims to lower costs and improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients.
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Grant in 2021
North Carolina A&T State University is so many things to so many people, both in our state and around the country. North Carolina A&T State University is an HBCU.
We are a top-flight research university, the largest historically black university (HBCU) in the country, the #1 producer of degrees awarded to African Americans in North Carolina and nationally recognized or our excellence in science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM) education.
We are a diverse community, bound by intense pride and tradition, with fiercely loyal alumni who hold positions of importance and influence in companies and government agencies across the state, the country and the world.
We are achievers, driven by a curious, limitless, fearless spirit that fuels discovery and innovation, resulting in 41 patents issued based on our research, as well as numerous spin-off and start-up companies.
We are inclusive and welcoming, with students from many backgrounds and cultures, every part of our state, our nation and countries around the globe.
We are passionate, driven by a desire to do more, be more and make more of a difference. Since we opened our doors in 1892, we have focused on giving every student the hands-on opportunities, core knowledge and global perspective that will lead them to make real and lasting change in their lives and the lives of others.
At N.C. A&T, we have so much to be proud of, and you can learn more about those "Points of Pride" here. You can also use the links below to learn more about what makes N.C. A&T unique, from our leadership and history to our many rankings and recognitions.
Affinia Therapeutics
Series B in 2021
Affinia Therapeutics develops adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies for muscular and central nervous system diseases. The company uses an AAV vector design platform built on synthetic and systems biology, high-throughput screening, and tissue- and single-cell-resolution analyses to create vectors with improved properties. It leverages sequencing, artificial intelligence, and structural modeling to enable rational design of therapies. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Affinia Therapeutics was founded in 2019 and targets diseases with significant unmet needs in muscle and CNS.
AWB BioTech
Series B in 2021
AWB BioTech uses data from preclinical and clinical studies to guide a drug’s effect on patients.
Treeline Biosciences
Series A in 2021
Treeline Biosciences is a biotechnology company focused on developing precision medicines for cancer and other serious diseases. Founded in 2021 and based in Stamford, Connecticut, the company uses a platform that integrates pathophysiology, genomics, and pattern recognition to identify therapeutic approaches that address unmet patient needs.
Invivyd is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing antibody-based therapies aimed at protecting individuals from serious viral infectious diseases, particularly those with pandemic potential. The company focuses on innovative solutions that surpass the natural limits of immunity, starting with its lead product candidates for SARS-CoV-2. Notable among these candidates are ADG20, designed for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19, and VYD222, a monoclonal antibody optimized for enhanced potency and durability of protection. Invivyd's mission centers on delivering effective, long-lasting therapies to safeguard vulnerable populations from the severe repercussions of ongoing viral threats.
Ventus Therapeutics
Series B in 2021
Ventus Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative small molecule medicines that target the innate immune system. The company employs a structural immunology platform that provides deep insights into molecular structures and mechanisms, enabling precise targeting of the innate immune system. Ventus combines advanced protein engineering capabilities with cutting-edge rational and structure-based drug design tools to create therapeutics aimed at treating autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, and cancer. The company is actively building a diverse pipeline of drug programs that address significant targets within the innate immune system, with the goal of advancing treatments for both acute and chronic inflammatory and immune-related diseases.
Insitro, Inc. is a data-driven company focused on drug discovery and development, particularly targeting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Founded in 2018 by Daphne Koller and based in South San Francisco, California, Insitro harnesses machine learning and high-throughput biology to revolutionize the process of drug discovery. The company creates extensive functional genomic data sets and integrates them with patient data through innovative machine learning techniques. This approach allows Insitro to build predictive models that enhance target selection, streamline the design of therapeutics, and optimize drug development strategies. By addressing critical challenges in pharmaceutical research and development, Insitro aims to accelerate the delivery of new and effective treatments to patients.
Monte Rosa Therapeutics
Series C in 2021
Monte Rosa Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on cancer therapeutics that target protein degradation pathways. It specializes in developing molecular glue degraders, a class of small molecules that direct disease-relevant proteins to degradation by the cell's natural machinery. The company uses its QuEEN platform, incorporating artificial intelligence and proprietary experimental tools, to identify target proteins for degradation by molecular glue degraders. It maintains a diverse library of more than 50,000 molecules and advancing its pipeline, including MRT-2359, a candidate that targets the translation termination factor GSPT1 for potential use in MYC-driven tumors.
SpyBiotech Limited
Series A in 2021
SpyBiotech Limited is a biotechnology company headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, founded in 2017. It develops a proprietary protein superglue technology that bonds antigens to viral or other particle carriers, creating what the company calls bonding vaccines. This platform enables research institutions and medical facilities to design and produce vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer more rapidly and with potentially improved efficacy. By simplifying the assembly of vaccine components, SpyBiotech aims to accelerate the development cycle and reduce time to clinical application.
Vera Therapeutics
Series C in 2021
Vera Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2016 and formerly known as Trucode Gene Repair, Inc. The company focuses on developing innovative biologic therapeutics with the potential to transform treatment for patients suffering from serious immunological diseases and genetic disorders. Its lead product candidate, atacicept, is a fusion protein administered as a subcutaneous injection once weekly, designed to inhibit factors that stimulate the production of autoantibodies associated with autoimmune diseases. Additionally, Vera Therapeutics is utilizing gene-editing technology aimed at addressing conditions such as sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis, striving to enhance gene detection and regulation for improved patient outcomes.
Verve Therapeutics
Series B in 2021
Verve Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing genetic medicines for cardiovascular disease, aiming to transform treatment from chronic management to single-course gene editing therapies. It leverages human genetics analysis and gene-editing technology, with expertise in cardiovascular medicine, human genetics, gene editing, delivery technologies, drug development, and commercialization.
LifeMine Therapeutics
Series B in 2021
LifeMine Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the genomic discovery of new drug modalities derived from eukaryotic microbes, specifically fungi. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with an additional office in New York, it employs an integrated drug discovery platform that combines genomics, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology. LifeMine’s Avatar-Rx platform utilizes high-throughput microbiology, data science, genome engineering, and automation technologies to identify novel gene-encoded molecules (GEMs) with specific biological functions. The company emphasizes chemoinformatic-assisted drug optimization and advanced chemical synthesis, enabling the progression of new product candidates into development. Founded by experts in the field, LifeMine Therapeutics aims to innovate medicine through its unique approach to leveraging the fungal biosphere.
IconOVir Bio
Series A in 2021
IconOVir Bio is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing oncolytic virus therapies for cancer treatment. Its proprietary platform aims to overcome limitations of earlier generations, enabling personalized cancer care.
Founded in San Diego, California in 2015, Encodia specializes in proteomics research. It develops scalable and parallelized approaches to protein analysis, aiming to accelerate novel disease treatments through personalized medicine.
Locanabio
Series B in 2020
Locanabio is a biotechnology company developing RNA-targeted gene therapies for underserved diseases, with a focus on neuromuscular, neurodegenerative, and retinal conditions. It employs an RNA-targeting platform to modify disease-causing RNA and correct aberrant transcripts, offering therapies distinct from DNA-based approaches. The company identifies target RNA sequences within transcripts and programs therapies to advance candidates for rare genetic neuromuscular, neurodegenerative, and retinal diseases. Located in San Diego, Locanabio aims to translate RNA-directed interventions into treatments for patients with severe conditions.
Invivyd is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing antibody-based therapies aimed at protecting individuals from serious viral infectious diseases, particularly those with pandemic potential. The company focuses on innovative solutions that surpass the natural limits of immunity, starting with its lead product candidates for SARS-CoV-2. Notable among these candidates are ADG20, designed for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19, and VYD222, a monoclonal antibody optimized for enhanced potency and durability of protection. Invivyd's mission centers on delivering effective, long-lasting therapies to safeguard vulnerable populations from the severe repercussions of ongoing viral threats.
Decibel Therapeutics
Series D in 2020
Decibel Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative therapies aimed at protecting, repairing, and restoring hearing. The company addresses various hearing disorders, including those related to pediatric cancers, cystic fibrosis, noise exposure, age-related and genetic hearing loss, as well as conditions characterized by persistent tinnitus. Decibel Therapeutics employs a multifaceted approach that includes drug delivery to the inner ear, advanced imaging techniques, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling. The company leverages its expertise in inner ear biology, single-cell genomics, and bioinformatics to develop effective treatments for hearing loss and related disorders. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Decibel Therapeutics was originally known as Hearing, Inc. before rebranding in 2014.
Monte Rosa Therapeutics
Series B in 2020
Monte Rosa Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on cancer therapeutics that target protein degradation pathways. It specializes in developing molecular glue degraders, a class of small molecules that direct disease-relevant proteins to degradation by the cell's natural machinery. The company uses its QuEEN platform, incorporating artificial intelligence and proprietary experimental tools, to identify target proteins for degradation by molecular glue degraders. It maintains a diverse library of more than 50,000 molecules and advancing its pipeline, including MRT-2359, a candidate that targets the translation termination factor GSPT1 for potential use in MYC-driven tumors.
Kronos Bio
Private Equity Round in 2020
Kronos Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Mateo, California, focused on the discovery and development of innovative cancer therapeutics. Established in 2017, the company aims to address historically challenging cancer targets through precision medicine. Its primary product candidates include entospletinib, a selective inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase intended for acute myeloid leukemia patients, and KB-0742, an orally bioavailable inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 for treating MYC-amplified solid tumors. Kronos Bio employs advanced technologies, such as high-throughput small-molecule microarrays and targeted protein degradation, to identify potent and selective compounds that target dysregulated transcription factors and other key drivers of oncogenic signaling.
Taysha Gene Therapies
Series B in 2020
Taysha Gene Therapies develops adeno-associated virus-based gene therapies to treat monogenic diseases of the central nervous system. Its pipeline includes treatments for GM2 gangliosidosis, CLN1 disease, Rett syndrome, SLC6A1 haploinsufficiency disorder, and Surfeit locus 1 deficiency. The company collaborates with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center to develop and commercialize transformative gene therapy treatments.
Encoded Therapeutics
Series D in 2020
Encoded Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on precision gene therapies to treat a broad range of severe genetic disorders. It develops therapies and a platform that identifies human genome sequences that regulate gene expression using screening and computational approaches. The company's pipeline targets conditions across multiple pathways, including neurocircuitry, liver and metabolic disorders, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disease, aiming to help medical practitioners treat patients and improve outcomes. Based in South San Francisco, California, Encoded Therapeutics was founded in 2014 and was previously known as Encoded Genomics.
Invivyd is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing antibody-based therapies aimed at protecting individuals from serious viral infectious diseases, particularly those with pandemic potential. The company focuses on innovative solutions that surpass the natural limits of immunity, starting with its lead product candidates for SARS-CoV-2. Notable among these candidates are ADG20, designed for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19, and VYD222, a monoclonal antibody optimized for enhanced potency and durability of protection. Invivyd's mission centers on delivering effective, long-lasting therapies to safeguard vulnerable populations from the severe repercussions of ongoing viral threats.
Sana Biotechnology
Series A in 2020
Founded in 2018, Sana Biotechnology focuses on creating and delivering engineered cells as medicine for patients. The company aims to reprogram cells in the body or replace damaged ones to treat a broad range of diseases, with a pipeline including SC291, SC262, SC255, UP421, and other candidates across therapeutic areas like oncology, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and CNS.
Verve Therapeutics
Series A in 2020
Verve Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing genetic medicines for cardiovascular disease, aiming to transform treatment from chronic management to single-course gene editing therapies. It leverages human genetics analysis and gene-editing technology, with expertise in cardiovascular medicine, human genetics, gene editing, delivery technologies, drug development, and commercialization.
Insitro, Inc. is a data-driven company focused on drug discovery and development, particularly targeting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Founded in 2018 by Daphne Koller and based in South San Francisco, California, Insitro harnesses machine learning and high-throughput biology to revolutionize the process of drug discovery. The company creates extensive functional genomic data sets and integrates them with patient data through innovative machine learning techniques. This approach allows Insitro to build predictive models that enhance target selection, streamline the design of therapeutics, and optimize drug development strategies. By addressing critical challenges in pharmaceutical research and development, Insitro aims to accelerate the delivery of new and effective treatments to patients.
Ventus Therapeutics
Series A in 2020
Ventus Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative small molecule medicines that target the innate immune system. The company employs a structural immunology platform that provides deep insights into molecular structures and mechanisms, enabling precise targeting of the innate immune system. Ventus combines advanced protein engineering capabilities with cutting-edge rational and structure-based drug design tools to create therapeutics aimed at treating autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, and cancer. The company is actively building a diverse pipeline of drug programs that address significant targets within the innate immune system, with the goal of advancing treatments for both acute and chronic inflammatory and immune-related diseases.
ROME Therapeutics
Series A in 2020
ROME Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Founded in 2019, the company utilizes the repeatome, which encompasses extensive segments of genetic material previously regarded as "junk DNA," to identify new drug targets and advance multiple discovery programs. ROME Therapeutics has assembled a team of experts in oncology, immunology, virology, and machine learning to drive its research and development efforts, aiming to harness this uncharted area of biology for effective treatments. Through its work, ROME seeks to provide healthcare professionals with powerful new options for addressing complex medical challenges.
Accent Therapeutics
Series B in 2020
Accent Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecule therapies for oncology, utilizing the emerging field of epitranscriptomics. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company explores the post-transcriptional chemical modifications of RNA, which play a crucial role in regulating proteins essential for cellular growth and differentiation. By precisely targeting cancer-associated RNA-modifying proteins, Accent Therapeutics aims to innovate and deliver transformative therapies that can significantly improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment.
Cerevance
Series B in 2020
Cerevance develops novel therapeutics for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other chronic neurodegenerative conditions. It uses a proprietary platform to profile specific brain cell types in human tissue samples, enabling the identification of promising targets for new treatments.
PACT Pharma
Series C in 2020
PACT Pharma, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing personalized cell-based therapies for cancer treatment. The company specializes in neoantigen-specific adoptive T-cell therapies aimed at solid tumors. Its innovative platform utilizes bioinformatics to analyze patients' tumor and normal DNA and RNA, identifying candidate neoantigen peptides that stimulate robust antitumor T-cell responses. By pinpointing neo-epitopes unique to each patient's cancer, PACT Pharma enables the engineering of autologous T cells that specifically target and eradicate tumors expressing these neo-antigens. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, PACT Pharma is dedicated to advancing personalized medicine in oncology.
Prime Medicine
Series A in 2019
Prime Medicine is a biotechnology company focused on developing genetic therapies using its innovative Prime Editing technology. This next-generation gene editing method allows for precise "search and replace" modifications in the genome, aimed at restoring normal genetic function. The company targets a wide range of diseases with significant unmet medical needs, leveraging the efficiency and versatility of its gene editing capabilities to address the underlying causes of these conditions. Through its commitment to advancing gene editing, Prime Medicine seeks to transform the landscape of genetic medicine.
Vera Therapeutics
Venture Round in 2019
Vera Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2016 and formerly known as Trucode Gene Repair, Inc. The company focuses on developing innovative biologic therapeutics with the potential to transform treatment for patients suffering from serious immunological diseases and genetic disorders. Its lead product candidate, atacicept, is a fusion protein administered as a subcutaneous injection once weekly, designed to inhibit factors that stimulate the production of autoantibodies associated with autoimmune diseases. Additionally, Vera Therapeutics is utilizing gene-editing technology aimed at addressing conditions such as sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis, striving to enhance gene detection and regulation for improved patient outcomes.
Westmead Applied Research Centre
Grant in 2019
Embracing innovative research to improve patient and population health The University of Sydney,
Kronos Bio
Series A in 2019
Kronos Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Mateo, California, focused on the discovery and development of innovative cancer therapeutics. Established in 2017, the company aims to address historically challenging cancer targets through precision medicine. Its primary product candidates include entospletinib, a selective inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase intended for acute myeloid leukemia patients, and KB-0742, an orally bioavailable inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 for treating MYC-amplified solid tumors. Kronos Bio employs advanced technologies, such as high-throughput small-molecule microarrays and targeted protein degradation, to identify potent and selective compounds that target dysregulated transcription factors and other key drivers of oncogenic signaling.
Blackthorn Therapeutics
Series B in 2019
Blackthorn Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2013. The company focuses on developing precision medicine for neurobehavioral disorders, utilizing advances in computational and clinical neuroscience. By leveraging its proprietary computational platform, Blackthorn aims to address historical challenges in drug discovery by targeting dysfunctional brain circuits. This approach enables the identification of novel drug candidates and biologically-based patient subgroups that are most likely to respond to specific treatments. Through its innovative strategies, Blackthorn seeks to enhance the precision of therapeutic interventions for disorders of the central nervous system, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Locanabio
Series A in 2019
Locanabio is a biotechnology company developing RNA-targeted gene therapies for underserved diseases, with a focus on neuromuscular, neurodegenerative, and retinal conditions. It employs an RNA-targeting platform to modify disease-causing RNA and correct aberrant transcripts, offering therapies distinct from DNA-based approaches. The company identifies target RNA sequences within transcripts and programs therapies to advance candidates for rare genetic neuromuscular, neurodegenerative, and retinal diseases. Located in San Diego, Locanabio aims to translate RNA-directed interventions into treatments for patients with severe conditions.
Verve Therapeutics
Series A in 2019
Verve Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing genetic medicines for cardiovascular disease, aiming to transform treatment from chronic management to single-course gene editing therapies. It leverages human genetics analysis and gene-editing technology, with expertise in cardiovascular medicine, human genetics, gene editing, delivery technologies, drug development, and commercialization.
Maze Therapeutics
Series A in 2019
Maze Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing medicines that mimic the effects of rare, protective genetic variants to address unmet medical needs. Utilizing its Compass platform, the company identifies genetic variants associated with diseases and maps them to the biological pathways driving these conditions in specific patient populations.
Schrödinger
Series E in 2019
Schrödinger is a healthcare-focused software company that specializes in computational drug design, serving pharmaceutical and biotechnology research sectors. Established in 1990, it offers a powerful computational platform that aids biopharmaceutical and industrial companies, as well as academic and government institutions, in their research efforts globally. Schrödinger operates through two main segments: Software and Drug Discovery. The Software segment supplies solutions aimed at enhancing the drug discovery process across the life sciences and materials science industries. Meanwhile, the Drug Discovery segment generates revenue through a portfolio of preclinical and clinical programs, both independently and through collaborative efforts. The company is committed to advancing science and talent to support its platform and has over 400 employees, engaging with customers and collaborators in more than 70 countries.
Cambridge Epigenetix
Series C in 2018
Cambridge Epigenetix Limited is a bioscience company based in Babraham, United Kingdom, specializing in epigenetic tools that aim to transform medical diagnostics. Founded in 2012 as a spin-out from the University of Cambridge, the company is pioneering the clinical applications of epigenetics, particularly through its innovative TrueMethyl technology. This includes oxidative bisulfite sequencing, which allows for the precise sequencing of hydroxymethyl cytosine and methylcytosine at single-base resolution. Cambridge Epigenetix offers a range of products, such as TrueMethyl 6 and TrueMethyl 24 kits, designed for the quantitative measurement and analysis of these critical epigenetic markers. The company’s research highlights the significance of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine as a biomarker for various diseases, including colorectal cancer, and aims to simplify diagnostic processes to a simple blood draw. The firm collaborates with third-party vendors and sells its products directly to business customers both in the UK and internationally.
Decibel Therapeutics
Series C in 2018
Decibel Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative therapies aimed at protecting, repairing, and restoring hearing. The company addresses various hearing disorders, including those related to pediatric cancers, cystic fibrosis, noise exposure, age-related and genetic hearing loss, as well as conditions characterized by persistent tinnitus. Decibel Therapeutics employs a multifaceted approach that includes drug delivery to the inner ear, advanced imaging techniques, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling. The company leverages its expertise in inner ear biology, single-cell genomics, and bioinformatics to develop effective treatments for hearing loss and related disorders. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Decibel Therapeutics was originally known as Hearing, Inc. before rebranding in 2014.
PACT Pharma
Series B in 2018
PACT Pharma, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing personalized cell-based therapies for cancer treatment. The company specializes in neoantigen-specific adoptive T-cell therapies aimed at solid tumors. Its innovative platform utilizes bioinformatics to analyze patients' tumor and normal DNA and RNA, identifying candidate neoantigen peptides that stimulate robust antitumor T-cell responses. By pinpointing neo-epitopes unique to each patient's cancer, PACT Pharma enables the engineering of autologous T cells that specifically target and eradicate tumors expressing these neo-antigens. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, PACT Pharma is dedicated to advancing personalized medicine in oncology.
Celsius Therapeutics
Series A in 2018
Celsius Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing precision medicines for patients suffering from cancer and autoimmune diseases. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating the expertise of scientists, computational biologists, and clinicians. Celsius Therapeutics utilizes advanced techniques such as single-cell genomic analysis and machine learning to identify and develop innovative therapeutic solutions. By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, the company aims to create life-changing medicines that address unmet medical needs.
Insitro, Inc. is a data-driven company focused on drug discovery and development, particularly targeting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Founded in 2018 by Daphne Koller and based in South San Francisco, California, Insitro harnesses machine learning and high-throughput biology to revolutionize the process of drug discovery. The company creates extensive functional genomic data sets and integrates them with patient data through innovative machine learning techniques. This approach allows Insitro to build predictive models that enhance target selection, streamline the design of therapeutics, and optimize drug development strategies. By addressing critical challenges in pharmaceutical research and development, Insitro aims to accelerate the delivery of new and effective treatments to patients.
IDEAYA Biosciences
Series B in 2018
IDEAYA Biosciences is an oncology-focused biotechnology company dedicated to discovering targeted therapeutics for patient populations selected using molecular diagnostics. Its pipeline includes small molecule inhibitors targeting DNA damage and repair pathways, such as MAT2A, PARG, and Pol-theta, as well as immuno-oncology therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment.
Rani Therapeutics
Venture Round in 2018
Rani Therapeutics, LLC is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on developing oral delivery systems for large drug molecules, including peptides, proteins, and antibodies. The company has created the RaniPill capsule, a novel and patented technology designed to replace traditional subcutaneous or intravenous injections with an oral dosing method. This capsule is engineered to automatically release a precise therapeutic dose of medication in the small intestine, aiming to enhance patient compliance and comfort. Rani Therapeutics has conducted several preclinical and clinical studies to assess the safety, tolerability, and bioavailability of the RaniPill, contributing to a robust intellectual property portfolio. The company's therapeutic offerings include treatments for inflammatory disorders, osteoporosis, growth deficiencies, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Founded in 2012 and based in San Jose, California, Rani Therapeutics seeks to improve patient outcomes by providing a convenient alternative to painful injections.
Oxford Science Enterprises
Series A in 2018
Founded in 2015, Oxford Science Enterprises is a venture firm that partners with the University of Oxford to build science-based businesses. It invests primarily in life sciences, AI and software, healthcare, and deep tech sectors, aiming to create companies capable of addressing global challenges such as infectious diseases and nuclear fusion.
Barinthus Biotherapeutics
Series A in 2018
Barinthus Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel immunotherapies and vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer. The company leverages a proprietary platform built around modified simian adenoviral vectors (ChAdOx1, ChAdOx2) and a Modified Vaccinia Ankara boost vector to stimulate potent CD8+ T cell responses, aiming to create durable immune protection. Its pipeline spans clinical and preclinical programs targeting solid tumors, viral infections, and prophylactic vaccines, with an emphasis on T-cell–oriented approaches that guide the immune system to address chronic infections, autoimmunity, and cancer.
RAPT Therapeutics
Series C in 2017
RAPT Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing orally delivered small-molecule therapies for oncology and inflammatory diseases. It uses a proprietary discovery and development engine to create highly selective compounds that modulate immune responses. The company's lead oncology candidate, FLX475, targets the C-C motif chemokine receptor 4 and is in a Phase 1/2 program as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. The lead inflammation candidate, RPT193, is designed to selectively inhibit migration of type 2 T helper cells into inflamed tissues. Additional targets such as general control nonderepressible 2 and hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 are in discovery. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in South San Francisco, the company aims to address unmet medical needs in cancer and inflammatory diseases.
Obsidian Therapeutics
Series A in 2017
Founded in 2015 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Obsidian Therapeutics develops next-generation controllable cell and gene therapies designed to extend adoptive immunotherapy to every cancer patient. Its innovative approach uses pharmacologic operating systems to precisely control protein activity in cells, enabling physicians to improve upon current cell therapies using simple, safe, orally-active marketed drugs.
Forty Seven
Series B in 2017
Forty Seven, Inc. is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company headquartered in Menlo Park, California, focused on developing innovative therapies to activate macrophages for cancer treatment. The company’s lead product, magrolimab, is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the CD47 receptor, which tumors exploit to evade immune detection. Magrolimab is currently undergoing Phase 1b/2 clinical trials for various cancers, including solid tumors and hematologic malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Additionally, Forty Seven is advancing other antibody-based therapies, including FSI-189, which targets SIRPa, and FSI-174, an anti-cKIT antibody. The company collaborates with Genentech and Acerta Pharma to explore further applications of its therapies in combination with other cancer treatments. Founded in 2014 and previously known as CD47 Sciences, Inc., Forty Seven operates as a subsidiary of Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Siyavula Education
Grant in 2017
Siyavula Education is an edtech company that enhances high school mathematics and science learning via intelligent software. This software adapts to each student's needs, providing targeted feedback to help them master essential concepts.
LifeMine Therapeutics
Series A in 2017
LifeMine Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the genomic discovery of new drug modalities derived from eukaryotic microbes, specifically fungi. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with an additional office in New York, it employs an integrated drug discovery platform that combines genomics, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology. LifeMine’s Avatar-Rx platform utilizes high-throughput microbiology, data science, genome engineering, and automation technologies to identify novel gene-encoded molecules (GEMs) with specific biological functions. The company emphasizes chemoinformatic-assisted drug optimization and advanced chemical synthesis, enabling the progression of new product candidates into development. Founded by experts in the field, LifeMine Therapeutics aims to innovate medicine through its unique approach to leveraging the fungal biosphere.
Rani Therapeutics
Series D in 2017
Rani Therapeutics, LLC is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on developing oral delivery systems for large drug molecules, including peptides, proteins, and antibodies. The company has created the RaniPill capsule, a novel and patented technology designed to replace traditional subcutaneous or intravenous injections with an oral dosing method. This capsule is engineered to automatically release a precise therapeutic dose of medication in the small intestine, aiming to enhance patient compliance and comfort. Rani Therapeutics has conducted several preclinical and clinical studies to assess the safety, tolerability, and bioavailability of the RaniPill, contributing to a robust intellectual property portfolio. The company's therapeutic offerings include treatments for inflammatory disorders, osteoporosis, growth deficiencies, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Founded in 2012 and based in San Jose, California, Rani Therapeutics seeks to improve patient outcomes by providing a convenient alternative to painful injections.
Gritstone bio
Series B in 2017
Gritstone bio is a biotechnology company focused on developing immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases. The company initially concentrated on tumor-specific neoantigens but has expanded its programs to include viral antigens found on the surface of infected cells. Gritstone bio's approach leverages the body's natural immune system recognition of targets on abnormal cells, which is applicable to both anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity. Their pipeline includes several product candidates for treating solid tumors, such as GRANITE, SLATE, and CORAL. The company operates in a field that has seen significant advancements with the development and commercialization of immunotherapy drugs like checkpoint inhibitors, transforming cancer treatment.
Decibel Therapeutics
Series B in 2017
Decibel Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative therapies aimed at protecting, repairing, and restoring hearing. The company addresses various hearing disorders, including those related to pediatric cancers, cystic fibrosis, noise exposure, age-related and genetic hearing loss, as well as conditions characterized by persistent tinnitus. Decibel Therapeutics employs a multifaceted approach that includes drug delivery to the inner ear, advanced imaging techniques, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling. The company leverages its expertise in inner ear biology, single-cell genomics, and bioinformatics to develop effective treatments for hearing loss and related disorders. Established in 2013 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Decibel Therapeutics was originally known as Hearing, Inc. before rebranding in 2014.
Fulcrum Therapeutics
Series A in 2017
Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to developing novel therapies for patients with genetically defined diseases that have significant unmet medical needs. The company's lead product candidate, losmapimod, is a small molecule currently undergoing Phase 2b clinical trials for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, a rare condition characterized by progressive muscle wasting and disability. Another key candidate, FTX-6058, aims to upregulate fetal hemoglobin to treat sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. Fulcrum is also actively researching drug targets for other genetic disorders, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Friedreich ataxia, as well as neurological and pulmonary diseases. The company has established collaborations with Acceleron Pharma to explore biological targets in pulmonary disease and with MyoKardia to develop therapies for genetic cardiomyopathies. Founded in 2015, Fulcrum Therapeutics continues to focus on improving patient outcomes in rare disease contexts.
SpyBiotech Limited
Seed Round in 2017
SpyBiotech Limited is a biotechnology company headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, founded in 2017. It develops a proprietary protein superglue technology that bonds antigens to viral or other particle carriers, creating what the company calls bonding vaccines. This platform enables research institutions and medical facilities to design and produce vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer more rapidly and with potentially improved efficacy. By simplifying the assembly of vaccine components, SpyBiotech aims to accelerate the development cycle and reduce time to clinical application.
Blackthorn Therapeutics
Series A in 2017
Blackthorn Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2013. The company focuses on developing precision medicine for neurobehavioral disorders, utilizing advances in computational and clinical neuroscience. By leveraging its proprietary computational platform, Blackthorn aims to address historical challenges in drug discovery by targeting dysfunctional brain circuits. This approach enables the identification of novel drug candidates and biologically-based patient subgroups that are most likely to respond to specific treatments. Through its innovative strategies, Blackthorn seeks to enhance the precision of therapeutic interventions for disorders of the central nervous system, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
PACT Pharma
Series A in 2016
PACT Pharma, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing personalized cell-based therapies for cancer treatment. The company specializes in neoantigen-specific adoptive T-cell therapies aimed at solid tumors. Its innovative platform utilizes bioinformatics to analyze patients' tumor and normal DNA and RNA, identifying candidate neoantigen peptides that stimulate robust antitumor T-cell responses. By pinpointing neo-epitopes unique to each patient's cancer, PACT Pharma enables the engineering of autologous T cells that specifically target and eradicate tumors expressing these neo-antigens. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, PACT Pharma is dedicated to advancing personalized medicine in oncology.
Genomics Medicine Ireland
Series A in 2016
Genomics Medicine Ireland is an Irish life sciences company conducting a substantial research study across Ireland. Its primary focus is to investigate the human genome, aiming to understand the relationship between genetics, health, and disease.
Cambridge Epigenetix
Series B in 2016
Cambridge Epigenetix Limited is a bioscience company based in Babraham, United Kingdom, specializing in epigenetic tools that aim to transform medical diagnostics. Founded in 2012 as a spin-out from the University of Cambridge, the company is pioneering the clinical applications of epigenetics, particularly through its innovative TrueMethyl technology. This includes oxidative bisulfite sequencing, which allows for the precise sequencing of hydroxymethyl cytosine and methylcytosine at single-base resolution. Cambridge Epigenetix offers a range of products, such as TrueMethyl 6 and TrueMethyl 24 kits, designed for the quantitative measurement and analysis of these critical epigenetic markers. The company’s research highlights the significance of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine as a biomarker for various diseases, including colorectal cancer, and aims to simplify diagnostic processes to a simple blood draw. The firm collaborates with third-party vendors and sells its products directly to business customers both in the UK and internationally.
Rani Therapeutics
Venture Round in 2016
Rani Therapeutics, LLC is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on developing oral delivery systems for large drug molecules, including peptides, proteins, and antibodies. The company has created the RaniPill capsule, a novel and patented technology designed to replace traditional subcutaneous or intravenous injections with an oral dosing method. This capsule is engineered to automatically release a precise therapeutic dose of medication in the small intestine, aiming to enhance patient compliance and comfort. Rani Therapeutics has conducted several preclinical and clinical studies to assess the safety, tolerability, and bioavailability of the RaniPill, contributing to a robust intellectual property portfolio. The company's therapeutic offerings include treatments for inflammatory disorders, osteoporosis, growth deficiencies, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Founded in 2012 and based in San Jose, California, Rani Therapeutics seeks to improve patient outcomes by providing a convenient alternative to painful injections.