AgeChem Venture Fund

Sorbent Therapeutics, Inc. develops treatment for end stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis. The company develops fluid retaining polymers for therapeutic uses, such as treatment of kidney diseases. Sorbent Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is based in Vernon Hills, Illinois.

Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, focused on developing innovative compounds for the treatment of ocular diseases and diabetic complications. The company's lead candidate, razuprotafib, is a small molecule activator of the Tie2 pathway that has completed a Phase IIb clinical trial for diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, Aerpio is advancing ARP-1536, a humanized monoclonal antibody in preclinical development for diabetic vascular complications, and GB004, a selective stabilizer of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha, currently undergoing a Phase 1b trial for inflammatory bowel disease. Furthermore, the company is developing a bispecific antibody for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. Aerpio has also partnered with Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative to evaluate razuprotafib's potential in treating acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19 patients. Founded in 2011, Aerpio Pharmaceuticals aims for rapid development of its promising therapies.

Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of therapeutics for kidney diseases. The company's primary product is Auryxia, a ferric citrate formulation approved for managing serum phosphorus levels in adult patients with chronic kidney disease, both on dialysis and those not requiring dialysis, as well as for treating iron deficiency anemia. Additionally, Akebia is advancing vadadustat, an oral therapy that is currently in Phase III clinical development for treating anemia associated with chronic kidney disease. The company has established collaboration agreements with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation for the development and commercialization of vadadustat in various global markets, alongside a research and licensing agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV for related compounds. Founded in 2007, Akebia Therapeutics is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Alethia BioTherapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Montreal, Canada, specializing in the discovery and development of monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics. The company focuses on critical areas such as cancer-associated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, ovarian cancer, and cancer-induced bone loss. Its product portfolio includes Isogranulatimide, a G2 checkpoint inhibitor that enhances the efficacy of various DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents, and sCLU, a glycoprotein linked to several malignancies, including prostate and breast cancers. Additionally, Alethia BioTherapeutics offers AB-0447, which targets a specific antigen prevalent in over eighty-five percent of ovarian cancer cases, and AB-0440, a protein that plays a role in osteoclast differentiation. Established in 2002, the company employs patented STAR discovery technology to develop therapeutics aimed at invasive carcinomas and associated complications.

Medicago Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Quebec City, Canada, specializing in the research, development, production, and commercialization of vaccines. The company employs proprietary plant-based manufacturing and Virus-Like Particle (VLP) technologies to create innovative vaccines and therapeutics aimed at infectious diseases and public health challenges. Medicago's product pipeline includes a candidate for the H5N1 pandemic influenza VLP vaccine, which has successfully completed a Phase I clinical trial, as well as an H1N1 VLP vaccine and seasonal influenza vaccines. The company has established collaboration agreements with organizations such as Viridis S.A. and Genopole biopark for the manufacturing of its vaccines, and with Philip Morris International to develop a therapeutic protein. Medicago was incorporated in 1997 and continues to focus on addressing emerging health threats through its advanced vaccine technologies.

Sorbent Therapeutics, Inc. develops treatment for end stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis. The company develops fluid retaining polymers for therapeutic uses, such as treatment of kidney diseases. Sorbent Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is based in Vernon Hills, Illinois.

Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of therapeutics for kidney diseases. The company's primary product is Auryxia, a ferric citrate formulation approved for managing serum phosphorus levels in adult patients with chronic kidney disease, both on dialysis and those not requiring dialysis, as well as for treating iron deficiency anemia. Additionally, Akebia is advancing vadadustat, an oral therapy that is currently in Phase III clinical development for treating anemia associated with chronic kidney disease. The company has established collaboration agreements with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation for the development and commercialization of vadadustat in various global markets, alongside a research and licensing agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV for related compounds. Founded in 2007, Akebia Therapeutics is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in the development of innovative therapeutics for the treatment of liver diseases. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Diego, California, the company is primarily focused on advancing treatments for conditions such as hepatitis C virus infection, portal hypertension, and liver fibrosis associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Its lead product candidate, Emricasan, is an orally active caspase protease inhibitor currently undergoing Phase IIb clinical trials. Additionally, Conatus is developing CTS-2090, an orally active inhibitor of caspase 1, which is in the preclinical stage aimed at addressing chronic diseases linked to inflammasome pathways. The company also has a collaboration agreement with Novartis to conduct multiple Phase IIb clinical trials. In May 2020, Conatus Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Histogen Inc. in a reverse merger transaction.

Sorbent Therapeutics, Inc. develops treatment for end stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis. The company develops fluid retaining polymers for therapeutic uses, such as treatment of kidney diseases. Sorbent Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is based in Vernon Hills, Illinois.

Alethia BioTherapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Montreal, Canada, specializing in the discovery and development of monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics. The company focuses on critical areas such as cancer-associated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, ovarian cancer, and cancer-induced bone loss. Its product portfolio includes Isogranulatimide, a G2 checkpoint inhibitor that enhances the efficacy of various DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents, and sCLU, a glycoprotein linked to several malignancies, including prostate and breast cancers. Additionally, Alethia BioTherapeutics offers AB-0447, which targets a specific antigen prevalent in over eighty-five percent of ovarian cancer cases, and AB-0440, a protein that plays a role in osteoclast differentiation. Established in 2002, the company employs patented STAR discovery technology to develop therapeutics aimed at invasive carcinomas and associated complications.

Altair Therapeutics was a biopharmaceutical company that focused on developing therapeutics to treat human respiratory diseases.

Advitech is a life science and technology company with the mission to discover and commercialize patented, scientifically supported natural health products. Effective and safe, these products target immune system disorders, such as psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. Advitech produces Dermylex (R) for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis. Advitech has developed a research program to develop new applications in the field of wound healing. This development program stems from the two technological platforms XP-828L and IM.

Ocera Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative treatments for patients suffering from acute and chronic liver diseases, addressing a significant unmet medical need. The company's lead product, OCR-002, functions as an ammonia scavenger and is being investigated in both intravenous and oral formulations to treat hyperammonemia. Recently, Ocera completed a Phase 2b clinical trial named STOP-HE, which assessed the safety and efficacy of intravenously administered OCR-002 in alleviating neurocognitive symptoms associated with acute hepatic encephalopathy in hospitalized patients with elevated ammonia levels. Ocera is currently preparing for a meeting with the FDA to discuss the intravenous program and explore potential development pathways for its therapeutics.

Sonexa Therapeutics, Inc., a pharmaceutical company, engages in the development of therapeutics drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. It develops ST101, a small and orally active molecule compound that penetrates the blood-brain-barrier. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is based in San Diego, California.

Chlorion Pharma is a biotechnology start-up focused on developing innovative therapeutics aimed at treating neuropathic pain and epilepsy. The company's approach centers on addressing neuronal hyperactivity by restoring proper chloride homeostasis, which is crucial for normal nerve function. By targeting these underlying mechanisms, Chlorion Pharma aims to provide effective solutions for patients suffering from these debilitating conditions.