Flare Therapeutics is a biotechnology company opening up a new therapeutic space with a novel approach to decipher the biology of transcription factors to develop small molecule medicines. Based on insights from the seminal work of its scientific founders, Flare’s team has uncovered ‘switch sites,’ druggable regions that are key targets for transcription factor regulation to address mutations that cause disease. Our drug discovery to target switch sites has rapidly advanced, resulting in an emerging pipeline of drug programs that address well-validated transcription factors, initially focused on precision oncology with future potential in neurology, rare genetic disorders, immunology, and inflammation.
Beta Bionics is a biotechnology company that develops an integrated bionic pancreas system called the iLet. The iLet Bionic Pancreas System was granted breakthrough designation in all configurations (insulin-only, glucagon-only, and bihormonal), including use with Zealand Pharma’s dasiglucagon, a glucagon analog with a unique stability profile in a ready-to-use aqueous solution. It also offers a bionic pancreas device for glucose metabolism to the diabetes community. Beta Bionics was founded in 2015 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
Shoreline Biosciences is a biomedical company intended to establish immunotherapies for seriously ill patients. Its proprietary cell therapy technology platform is based on deep expertise in iPSC differentiation methods and genetic programming of the IL-15/CISH pathway for enhanced metabolic fitness and persistence of the engineered NK Cells to improve anti-cancer activity.
The company was founded in 2020 and is headquartered in La Jolla, CA, USA.
Roivant Sciences is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on enhancing healthcare delivery through innovative drug development. The company aims to reduce the time and cost associated with bringing new medicines to market, sharing those savings with the healthcare system. Roivant achieves this by creating specialized entities known as Vants, which are agile biotech and healthcare technology firms that leverage unique talent sourcing and technology deployment strategies. In addition to its biopharmaceutical subsidiaries, Roivant incubates discovery-stage companies and health technology startups that complement its core business. Among its drug candidates, VTAMA (tapinarof) is designed for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and has reached the commercial stage, while several other candidates, including Batoclimab, IMVT-1402, Brepocitinib, and Namilumab, are in various stages of development.
DiCE Therapeutics, founded in 2013 and based in Menlo Park, California, specializes in developing a platform for the discovery of novel small molecules aimed at targets that have previously been difficult to address in the pharmaceutical sector. The company utilizes innovative technology that extends directed evolution, allowing for the direct translation of DNA-encoded information into organic compounds, thereby streamlining the traditionally labor-intensive processes of medicinal chemistry. This platform not only serves the pharmaceutical industry but also has applications in agriculture and materials sciences. The founding team includes notable figures such as Stanford Professor Pehr Harbury, who developed the core technology, and other experienced professionals from various sectors, contributing to the company's mission of transforming drug discovery and development.
Founded by Stuart Schreiber, Benjamin Cravatt, Stephanie Dougan, and Vasanthi Viswanathan, Kojin is accelerating a drug discovery platform that connects complex cell states to known biochemical processes such as ferroptosis, or iron-dependent cell death, and enables the development of selective therapies for a broad range of hard-to-treat diseases. The company’s investors include Polaris Partners, Newpath Partners, Cathay Health, Leaps by Bayer, AbbVie Inc., Eventide Asset Management, Alexandria, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute venture firm, Binney Street Capital.
Flare Therapeutics is a biotechnology company opening up a new therapeutic space with a novel approach to decipher the biology of transcription factors to develop small molecule medicines. Based on insights from the seminal work of its scientific founders, Flare’s team has uncovered ‘switch sites,’ druggable regions that are key targets for transcription factor regulation to address mutations that cause disease. Our drug discovery to target switch sites has rapidly advanced, resulting in an emerging pipeline of drug programs that address well-validated transcription factors, initially focused on precision oncology with future potential in neurology, rare genetic disorders, immunology, and inflammation.
Arch Oncology is an immuno-oncology company focused on developing anti-CD47 antibodies for the treatment of solid and hematologic cancers. Founded in 2006 and based in St. Louis, Missouri, with a corporate office in Brisbane, California, the company aims to create innovative therapies that leverage both adaptive and innate immune responses. Arch Oncology's approach involves a new class of checkpoint inhibitors, which represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment. Through its research and development efforts, the company seeks to improve outcomes for patients battling various forms of cancer.
Samumed, LLC is a biopharmaceutical company focused on small molecule drug development aimed at oncology and degenerative diseases. Founded in 2007 and based in San Diego, California, the company utilizes its expertise in Wnt pathway modulation to create therapeutics for tissue-level regeneration. Among its key products are SM04690, an intra-articular injection for treating knee osteoarthritis, and SM07883, which is designed to mitigate disease pathology. Samumed is committed to advancing regenerative medicine through its innovative platform, which seeks to improve patient health by addressing a variety of degenerative conditions.
DiCE Therapeutics, founded in 2013 and based in Menlo Park, California, specializes in developing a platform for the discovery of novel small molecules aimed at targets that have previously been difficult to address in the pharmaceutical sector. The company utilizes innovative technology that extends directed evolution, allowing for the direct translation of DNA-encoded information into organic compounds, thereby streamlining the traditionally labor-intensive processes of medicinal chemistry. This platform not only serves the pharmaceutical industry but also has applications in agriculture and materials sciences. The founding team includes notable figures such as Stanford Professor Pehr Harbury, who developed the core technology, and other experienced professionals from various sectors, contributing to the company's mission of transforming drug discovery and development.
Private Equity Round in 2020
Prometheus Biosciences, formerly known as Prometheus Laboratories, is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing innovative pharmaceutical and diagnostic products, primarily for gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Based in San Diego, California, the company offers a range of diagnostic tests, including Anser IFX, Anser ADA, and IBD sgi Diagnostic, which enable healthcare providers to monitor treatment and optimize patient care. Prometheus also markets therapeutic agents, such as Entocort EC and Imuran, for managing conditions like Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it provides genetic and serologic testing for celiac disease and lactose intolerance, among other disorders. With a commitment to precision medicine, Prometheus aims to enhance individualized patient care through its advanced diagnostic capabilities and therapeutic solutions. The company was founded in 1995 and operates as a subsidiary of Precision IBD, Inc.
VectivBio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company bringing transformational medicines to patients with serious rare diseases. They are committed to pursuing rare diseases with well-defined biology that can be targeted with best-in-disease therapies that have the potential to meaningfully transform and improve the lives of patients and their families, not just provide an incremental improvement or benefit over the standard-of-care.
It was founded as a spinout from Therachon, a biotechnology company acquired by Pfizer for its program in achondroplasia. VectivBio was incorporated in 2019 and is based in Basel, Switzerland.
Talaris Therapeutics is a operator of a biotechnology company engaged in the development of innovative cellular therapies. The company's proprietary allogeneic cell therapy product has shown to induce tolerance in recipients of solid organ transplants from unmatched and unrelated donors, enabling living donor kidney transplant recipients to wean completely off immunosuppression one year after transplant.
Casma Therapeutics is a developer of a natural cellular process of autophagy to open new target areas for drug discovery and development. The company focuses on autophagy system to improve the cellular process of clearing out unwanted proteins, organelles and invading pathogens as well as tries to arrest or reverse the progression of lysosomal storage disorders, muscle disorders, inflammatory disorders and neurodegeneration, enabling physicians to address unmet medical needs.
Praxis Precision Medicines offers drug development services. The company was formerly known as EpiPM Therapeutics. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Annexon Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutics for autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases affecting the body, brain, and eyes. The company leverages its platform technology centered on C1q, a key molecule in the classical complement pathway, to target specific disease processes linked to aberrant activation in these areas. Its primary product candidates include ANX005, which is designed to treat autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders, and has completed Phase 1b trials for Guillain-Barré syndrome, and ANX007, which targets neurodegenerative ophthalmic disorders and has also finished Phase 1b trials for glaucoma. Additionally, Annexon is exploring treatments for conditions such as warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and geographic atrophy. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, the company aims to advance its pipeline while considering both orphan and broader market indications.
Freeline Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing liver-directed gene therapies for bleeding disorders and other diseases. Based in Stevenage, United Kingdom, Freeline's lead product candidate, FLT180a, is undergoing Phase 1/2 clinical trials aimed at treating moderate to severe hemophilia B. The company's pipeline also includes FLT190, which is in dose-escalating Phase 1/2 trials for Fabry disease, FLT201 for type 1 Gaucher disease, and FLT210 for hemophilia A. Freeline utilizes a next-generation proprietary adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector platform, enhancing its potential for systemic gene therapy applications. Since its founding in 2015, the company has been dedicated to advancing innovative treatments in the field of gene therapy.
Goldfinch Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing precision therapies for kidney diseases. The company focuses on researching and commercializing treatments for conditions such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy, and polycystic kidney disease. Notable programs include GFB-887, a selective inhibitor of the TRPC5 channel, and GFB-024, a cannabinoid receptor 1 inverse agonist. Goldfinch Bio is also developing the Kidney Genome Atlas, a genomic registry aimed at identifying new disease targets and biomarkers, and utilizes a biology platform that leverages stem cell science to create human organoid models for target validation. Founded in 2016 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Goldfinch Bio has established a strategic collaboration with Gilead Sciences to enhance its capabilities in kidney disease therapy development.
Pliant Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, discovers, develops, and commercializes novel therapies for the treatment of fibrotic in the United States. Its lead product candidate is PLN-74809, an oral small-molecule dual selective inhibitor of avß6 and avß1 integrins, which has completed Phase Ia single ascending dose/ multiple ascending dose trails and Phase Ib proof-of-mechanism trials for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The company also develops PLN-1474, small-molecule selective inhibitor of avß1, which is Phase 1 clinical trials for the treatment of liver fibrosis associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2015 and is based in South San Francisco, California.
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing clinically differentiated, novel small molecule therapeutics that target fundamental biological pathways in cancer.
Beta Bionics is a biotechnology company that develops an integrated bionic pancreas system called the iLet. The iLet Bionic Pancreas System was granted breakthrough designation in all configurations (insulin-only, glucagon-only, and bihormonal), including use with Zealand Pharma’s dasiglucagon, a glucagon analog with a unique stability profile in a ready-to-use aqueous solution. It also offers a bionic pancreas device for glucose metabolism to the diabetes community. Beta Bionics was founded in 2015 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
Satsuma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative treatments for migraines. The company's primary product candidate, STS101, is a drug-device combination featuring a proprietary dry-powder formulation of dihydroergotamine mesylate. This medication is designed for self-administration using a pre-filled, single-use nasal delivery device. Currently, STS101 is undergoing Phase III clinical trials, marking a significant step in its development process. Founded in 2016 and based in South San Francisco, California, Satsuma Pharmaceuticals aims to provide effective solutions for individuals suffering from acute migraine attacks.
Karuna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. engages in development of drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.
Peloton Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Dallas, Texas, focused on developing innovative medicines for cancer and other serious conditions. The company's lead candidate, PT2977, is an oral HIF-2a inhibitor currently undergoing Phase 2 clinical trials for advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Additionally, Peloton is exploring PT2977 in various other indications, including von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated renal cell carcinoma and glioblastoma multiforme, as well as in combination therapies for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Furthermore, Peloton is developing PT2567, another oral HIF-2a inhibitor in preclinical stages aimed at non-oncology applications, notably pulmonary arterial hypertension. Founded in 2010 and initially known as Damascus Pharmaceutics, Peloton Therapeutics has formed strong partnerships with academic institutions and secured funding from organizations like the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas, positioning itself as a key player in the biotech sector.
Beta Bionics is a biotechnology company that develops an integrated bionic pancreas system called the iLet. The iLet Bionic Pancreas System was granted breakthrough designation in all configurations (insulin-only, glucagon-only, and bihormonal), including use with Zealand Pharma’s dasiglucagon, a glucagon analog with a unique stability profile in a ready-to-use aqueous solution. It also offers a bionic pancreas device for glucose metabolism to the diabetes community. Beta Bionics was founded in 2015 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
Pliant Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, discovers, develops, and commercializes novel therapies for the treatment of fibrotic in the United States. Its lead product candidate is PLN-74809, an oral small-molecule dual selective inhibitor of avß6 and avß1 integrins, which has completed Phase Ia single ascending dose/ multiple ascending dose trails and Phase Ib proof-of-mechanism trials for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The company also develops PLN-1474, small-molecule selective inhibitor of avß1, which is Phase 1 clinical trials for the treatment of liver fibrosis associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2015 and is based in South San Francisco, California.
Magenta is focused on improving the patient experience in transplant medicine, with the goal of bringing this lifesaving procedure to more patients. Over the past 50 years, stem cell transplantation has been used in more than 1M patients worldwide. It is currently the only treatment with the potential to cure some of the most devastating hematologic cancers and autoimmune diseases. Despite the increased use and clinical advancements over the past several decades, stem cell transplant remains a high-risk last-resort therapeutic option due to the toxicity and potential long-term side effects.
Entasis Therapeutics is developing a portfolio of innovative cures for serious drug-resistant bacterial infections, a global health crisis affecting the lives of millions of patients. Entasis’ anti-infective discovery platform has produced a pipeline of meaningfully differentiated programs which target serious bacterial infections, including ETX2514SUL (targeting Acinetobacter baumannii infections), ETX0282CPDP (targeting Enterobacteriaceae infections), and zoliflodacin (targeting Neisseria gonorrhoeae).
Collegium Pharmaceutical is a specialty pharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes products aimed at treating patients suffering from pain, particularly in relation to opioid medications. The company utilizes its proprietary DETERx platform technology, which enhances the safety and extended-release properties of medications while minimizing the risk of misuse through methods such as chewing, crushing, and injecting. Among its key offerings is Xtampza ER, an abuse-deterrent, extended-release formulation of oxycodone, alongside Nucynta ER and Nucynta IR, which are formulations of tapentadol designed for managing severe and moderate to severe pain, respectively. Collegium focuses on addressing the challenges related to the non-medical use of prescription drugs by emphasizing tamper-resistant features and innovative delivery systems in its product portfolio. Founded in 2002 and based in Stoughton, Massachusetts, the company aims to provide effective pain management solutions while prioritizing patient safety.