K2 HealthVentures

VBI Vaccines Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing vaccines for infectious diseases and immuno-oncology, with operations in Israel, the United States, and internationally. The company offers Sci-B-Vac, a prophylactic hepatitis B vaccine suitable for various age groups, and is advancing VBI-2601, an immunotherapeutic candidate aimed at achieving a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B. Utilizing its enveloped virus-like particle (eVLP) platform technology, VBI develops vaccines that closely mimic target viruses to elicit strong immune responses. Key candidates in its eVLP program include VBI-1901, a glioblastoma vaccine in Phase I/IIa clinical trials, and VBI-1501, a cytomegalovirus vaccine that has completed Phase I trials. VBI Vaccines also engages in collaboration and licensing agreements with various pharmaceutical and biotechnology entities, including partnerships for the commercialization of its hepatitis B vaccine and the development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine candidate. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company also has research facilities in Ottawa, Canada.

TScan Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative T cell therapies to treat various cancers, including liquid tumors and solid tumors. The company focuses on engineering T cell receptor (TCR) therapies, with specific candidates aimed at addressing hematologic malignancies and preventing relapse after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. TScan utilizes a specialized platform that identifies shared T cell antigens and minimizes off-target effects, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of its treatments. The company’s pipeline includes both liquid tumor therapies and multiplexed TCR-T candidates for solid tumors. Founded in 2018, TScan Therapeutics is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, and comprises a team of experts committed to expanding treatment options for patients with limited therapeutic alternatives.

Oncorus, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative viral immunotherapies for cancer treatment. The company's lead candidate, ONCR-177, utilizes an oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 platform and is currently in Phase I clinical trials aimed at treating various cancers. In addition to ONCR-177, Oncorus is advancing the ONCR-GBM program for brain cancer and exploring synthetic viral immunotherapies based on Coxsackievirus A21 and Seneca Valley Virus. The company has entered a collaboration with MSD International GmbH to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ONCR-177 in combination with Merck’s immunotherapy. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Oncorus is committed to advancing cancer care and has pledged to support cancer research and healthcare initiatives in developing regions through corporate philanthropy.

Platelet BioGenesis is a biotechnology company focused on producing donor-independent human platelets from pluripotent stem cells for clinical use. Founded in 2014 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company has developed a microfluidic bioreactor that enables the generation of functional platelets at commercial scale from human stem cell cultures. Platelet BioGenesis distributes these bioreactor-produced platelets to hospitals and blood banks, aiming to provide a reliable source of platelets for patients worldwide. By specializing in the fields of platelets and drug discovery, the company is addressing critical needs in the medical community related to blood supply and treatment options.

Click Therapeutics, Inc. specializes in the engineering, validation, development, and commercialization of digital therapeutic solutions aimed at addressing unmet medical needs through cognitive and neurobehavioral modification. Founded in 2012 and based in New York, the company offers innovative digital therapeutics for a range of conditions, including smoking cessation, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, insomnia, and chronic pain. Its Digital Therapeutics™ are designed to function independently or alongside traditional biomedical treatments, utilizing the Clickometrics® adaptive data science platform to personalize user experiences and enhance engagement. Notably, Click's smoking cessation program has gained widespread access through various payers and providers, while its primary prescription program is advancing into a significant phase III clinical trial for major depressive disorder in adults.

Invaio Sciences, Inc. is a Flagship Pioneering Company startup in Cambridge. They are at the forefront of developing novel technologies based on groundbreaking science with an intent to positively impact their planet by enabling the application of breakthrough solutions in agriculture, human health, animal nutrition and animal health.

Aptinyx Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing innovative therapies for brain and nervous system disorders. Founded in 2015 and based in Evanston, Illinois, the company focuses on novel, synthetic small molecules that modulate the NMDA receptor, enhancing communication pathways between nerve cells. Its primary products in development include NYX-2925, which is undergoing Phase II trials for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia, and NYX-783, currently in Phase I trials for post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, Aptinyx is developing NYX-458, another NMDA receptor modulator, which is in Phase I clinical studies aimed at treating cognitive impairment associated with Parkinson’s disease. The company also collaborates with Allergan to develop compounds for major depressive disorder, underscoring its commitment to addressing significant unmet medical needs in the central nervous system arena.

Cricket Health Inc., founded in 2015 and based in San Francisco, California, specializes in integrated nephrology and dialysis care for individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The company offers a technology-enabled, multidisciplinary approach to kidney care, delivering both in-person and virtual services aimed at improving patient outcomes and reducing hospitalizations. By identifying at-risk patients and intervening early, Cricket Health focuses on slowing disease progression and providing personalized care options, which include transplant support, home dialysis, and in-center dialysis. The company's commitment extends to aligning its success with that of its partners and the patients it serves, ultimately striving to enhance the quality of life for those affected by kidney disease.

ASLAN Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Singapore, specializing in immunology and oncology. Founded in 2010, the company focuses on developing innovative treatments aimed at improving patient outcomes. Its clinical portfolio includes ASLAN004, a monoclonal antibody therapy for atopic dermatitis and other immunological conditions, as well as small molecule inhibitors targeting various cancer types. ASLAN collaborates with notable partners such as Almirall, Array BioPharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and CSL Limited to enhance its research and development efforts. The company is dedicated to creating novel medicines for both Asian and global markets.

VBI Vaccines Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing vaccines for infectious diseases and immuno-oncology, with operations in Israel, the United States, and internationally. The company offers Sci-B-Vac, a prophylactic hepatitis B vaccine suitable for various age groups, and is advancing VBI-2601, an immunotherapeutic candidate aimed at achieving a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B. Utilizing its enveloped virus-like particle (eVLP) platform technology, VBI develops vaccines that closely mimic target viruses to elicit strong immune responses. Key candidates in its eVLP program include VBI-1901, a glioblastoma vaccine in Phase I/IIa clinical trials, and VBI-1501, a cytomegalovirus vaccine that has completed Phase I trials. VBI Vaccines also engages in collaboration and licensing agreements with various pharmaceutical and biotechnology entities, including partnerships for the commercialization of its hepatitis B vaccine and the development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine candidate. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company also has research facilities in Ottawa, Canada.

Vesta Healthcare is an industry-leading technology and clinical services organization, dedicated to connecting caregiver insights to the rest of the care team. Vesta Healthcare proactively identifies the need for additional resources in the home and provides 24/7 telehealth support for caregivers and care recipients, with a focus on high-need, frail senior populations. Vesta partners with home care agencies, health plans and providers to create value-based population health programs that emphasize clinical quality, improved health outcomes and personalized engagement. Vesta Healthcare is headquartered in New York, NY.

Click Therapeutics, Inc. specializes in the engineering, validation, development, and commercialization of digital therapeutic solutions aimed at addressing unmet medical needs through cognitive and neurobehavioral modification. Founded in 2012 and based in New York, the company offers innovative digital therapeutics for a range of conditions, including smoking cessation, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, insomnia, and chronic pain. Its Digital Therapeutics™ are designed to function independently or alongside traditional biomedical treatments, utilizing the Clickometrics® adaptive data science platform to personalize user experiences and enhance engagement. Notably, Click's smoking cessation program has gained widespread access through various payers and providers, while its primary prescription program is advancing into a significant phase III clinical trial for major depressive disorder in adults.

Colorescience, Inc. specializes in the production and sale of mineral-based cosmetics and sunscreen products. Founded in 2000 and based in Carlsbad, California, the company offers a range of treatment products aimed at addressing various skin concerns, including pigmentation, redness, dark circles, and signs of aging, as well as catering to different skin types such as sensitive, oily, and dry skin. Its product line includes UV protectors, primers, foundations, and enhancers, all designed with high-quality ingredients and formulations. Colorescience distinguishes itself in the luxury aesthetic makeup market by focusing on efficacy and ease of use. The company distributes its products through a network of licensed physicians, luxury spas, retailers, and online channels, emphasizing its commitment to reducing skin cancer and other skin conditions.

VBI Vaccines Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing vaccines for infectious diseases and immuno-oncology, with operations in Israel, the United States, and internationally. The company offers Sci-B-Vac, a prophylactic hepatitis B vaccine suitable for various age groups, and is advancing VBI-2601, an immunotherapeutic candidate aimed at achieving a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B. Utilizing its enveloped virus-like particle (eVLP) platform technology, VBI develops vaccines that closely mimic target viruses to elicit strong immune responses. Key candidates in its eVLP program include VBI-1901, a glioblastoma vaccine in Phase I/IIa clinical trials, and VBI-1501, a cytomegalovirus vaccine that has completed Phase I trials. VBI Vaccines also engages in collaboration and licensing agreements with various pharmaceutical and biotechnology entities, including partnerships for the commercialization of its hepatitis B vaccine and the development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine candidate. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company also has research facilities in Ottawa, Canada.

Inari Agriculture, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing customized seeds through CRISPR gene editing technology, aimed at optimizing crop growth in diverse environmental conditions. Founded in 2016 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Inari focuses on crops such as wheat, soybean, and corn, addressing significant agricultural challenges like climate change. The company employs advanced multiplex gene editing and predictive design to create efficient and sustainable plant breeding solutions, thereby reducing the time and cost associated with traditional breeding methods. Inari's approach aims to enhance agricultural productivity while respecting environmental sustainability, and it collaborates with a diverse team of scientists and partners globally to drive innovation in the agricultural sector.

Molecular Templates, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to discovering and developing biologic therapeutics for cancer treatment. The company utilizes a proprietary platform known as engineered toxin bodies to create targeted therapies. Its lead candidate, MT-3724, is currently undergoing Phase II clinical trials for relapsed and refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In addition, the company is developing other candidates, including MT-4019, which targets CD38, and has collaborations with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. These partnerships aim to enhance treatment options for conditions like multiple myeloma and improve outcomes in hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Molecular Templates continues to expand its pipeline with additional compounds targeting various cancers.

Companion Medical develops products to improve healthcare with easy-to-use medical devices that utilize state-of-the-art technologies. It has experience in medical devices and critical systems development, and its team is positioned to introduce exciting new medical products that improve and facilitate patient care. The company’s initial products focus on providing improved care to insulin using Diabetics.

Metacrine, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, dedicated to developing innovative therapies for liver and gastrointestinal diseases. The company is advancing its lead programs, which target the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a key drug target in these conditions. Currently, MET409 is undergoing a Phase Ib proof-of-concept clinical trial for patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, while MET642 is in a Phase 1 clinical trial for the same patient population. In addition to its FXR-focused programs, Metacrine is exploring a pipeline of novel drug candidates through its internal research and development capabilities. The company also collaborates with Novo Nordisk A/S to further research related to fibroblast growth factor 1. Metacrine was founded in 2014 and is committed to addressing unmet medical needs in liver and gastrointestinal health.