Israel Biotech Fund

Vensica is a medical technology company focused on developing an innovative ultrasound-based drug delivery system for the treatment of urinary bladder conditions, particularly overactive bladder (OAB) and bladder cancer. The company's approach seeks to overcome the limitations of traditional drug administration methods, which involve catheter insertion and are often painful and ineffective. By utilizing ultrasound technology, Vensica's system allows for a needle-free, quick, and pain-free drug instillation procedure. The application of ultrasound enhances drug uptake and penetration into the bladder wall, aiming to improve treatment efficacy and reduce the high recurrence rates commonly associated with urinary bladder cancer. This method represents a significant advancement in therapeutic approaches, enabling healthcare providers to offer safer and more effective treatment options for patients.

Nectin Therapeutics Ltd. is a biotechnology company founded in 2017 and based in Jerusalem, Israel. The company specializes in the development of novel monoclonal antibodies that target members of the Nectin family of receptors and ligands, which play significant roles in immune checkpoint mechanisms relevant to cancer immunotherapy. Nectin Therapeutics focuses on creating therapies for both solid and hematological malignancies by designing antibodies that can bypass the inhibitory pathways used by tumors, thereby enhancing the ability of immune cells to effectively eliminate cancer cells. Through its innovative approach, the company aims to improve patient outcomes in the fight against cancer.

MediWound Ltd. is an integrated biopharmaceutical company based in Yavne, Israel, that specializes in developing, manufacturing, and commercializing innovative therapeutic products for severe burns and chronic wounds. Founded in 2000, the company is known for its flagship product, NexoBrid, which is an FDA-approved biopharmaceutical designed for the removal of eschar in adults with deep partial- and full-thickness thermal burns, offering a less invasive alternative to surgical interventions. MediWound also advances other product candidates, including EscharEx, which has completed Phase II clinical trials for the debridement of chronic and hard-to-heal wounds, and MWPC003 for connective tissue disorders. The company aims to address significant unmet medical needs in these areas and improve patient outcomes.

Vensica is a medical technology company focused on developing an innovative ultrasound-based drug delivery system for the treatment of urinary bladder conditions, particularly overactive bladder (OAB) and bladder cancer. The company's approach seeks to overcome the limitations of traditional drug administration methods, which involve catheter insertion and are often painful and ineffective. By utilizing ultrasound technology, Vensica's system allows for a needle-free, quick, and pain-free drug instillation procedure. The application of ultrasound enhances drug uptake and penetration into the bladder wall, aiming to improve treatment efficacy and reduce the high recurrence rates commonly associated with urinary bladder cancer. This method represents a significant advancement in therapeutic approaches, enabling healthcare providers to offer safer and more effective treatment options for patients.

Splisense is develops antisense oligonucleotide based therapies to target genetic diseases caused by splicing mutations. The company has developed a compound to cure the lung disease in cystic fibrosis patients carrying a specific splicing mutation. It is also developing a targeted modulation approach to correct the splicing pattern of CFTR transcripts according to the specific mutation carried.

BioSight Ltd., established in 1999 and headquartered in Lod, Israel, is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of innovative cancer-targeted pro-drugs. It focuses on creating non-toxic conjugates like its cytarabine-asparagine conjugate for treating acute myeloid leukemia patients worldwide. BioSight's proprietary technology, S2DOT™, enables targeted drug release inside cancer cells, minimizing systemic toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapy treatments.

BioSight Ltd., established in 1999 and headquartered in Lod, Israel, is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of innovative cancer-targeted pro-drugs. It focuses on creating non-toxic conjugates like its cytarabine-asparagine conjugate for treating acute myeloid leukemia patients worldwide. BioSight's proprietary technology, S2DOT™, enables targeted drug release inside cancer cells, minimizing systemic toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapy treatments.

Ayala Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Rehovot, Israel, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing small molecule therapeutics for rare and aggressive cancers, focusing on genetically defined patient populations. Its lead product candidate is AL101, an intravenous gamma secretase inhibitor currently in Phase II clinical trials for treating recurrent/metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma in patients with Notch-activating mutations. Additionally, Ayala Pharmaceuticals is developing AL102, an oral gamma secretase inhibitor in Phase I clinical trials for desmoid tumors. The company has a collaboration agreement with Novartis to develop AL102 for multiple myeloma. Ayala's approach involves using bioinformatics and next-generation sequencing to identify and address tumorigenic drivers of cancer, aiming to deliver targeted therapies to underserved patient populations.

Biond Biologics Ltd is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Misgav, Israel, specializing in drug discovery and development for immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases. Founded in 2016, Biond is focused on creating innovative therapies that address significant unmet medical needs. The company engages in extensive research to uncover immunoregulatory pathways and investigates immune checkpoints and immune-evasion mechanisms. Biond has developed a novel platform that targets intracellular immune factors, enabling the delivery of therapies for conditions previously considered undruggable. Through its commitment to high-quality science and innovation, Biond aims to advance the field of cancer immunotherapy and improve treatment options for patients.

Ayala Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Rehovot, Israel, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing small molecule therapeutics for rare and aggressive cancers, focusing on genetically defined patient populations. Its lead product candidate is AL101, an intravenous gamma secretase inhibitor currently in Phase II clinical trials for treating recurrent/metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma in patients with Notch-activating mutations. Additionally, Ayala Pharmaceuticals is developing AL102, an oral gamma secretase inhibitor in Phase I clinical trials for desmoid tumors. The company has a collaboration agreement with Novartis to develop AL102 for multiple myeloma. Ayala's approach involves using bioinformatics and next-generation sequencing to identify and address tumorigenic drivers of cancer, aiming to deliver targeted therapies to underserved patient populations.

Gamida Cell Ltd., established in 1998 and headquartered in Jerusalem, Israel, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing advanced cell therapies to treat blood cancers and serious blood diseases. The company's lead product candidate, omidubicel, is an expanded hematopoietic stem cell therapy derived from umbilical cord blood, currently in Phase 3 studies for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies and severe aplastic anemia. Additionally, Gamida Cell is developing GDA-201, a natural killer cell-based cancer immunotherapy, which is in Phase 1/2 trials for relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Both candidates leverage the company's proprietary expansion platform based on nicotinamide to enhance cell properties and therapeutic potential.

Pharma Two B Ltd. is a specialty pharmaceuticals company based in Rehovot, Israel, with a subsidiary in the United States. Founded in 2007, the company focuses on developing clinically differentiated and value-added products, primarily through fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of previously approved drugs. Pharma Two B targets therapeutic areas with significant unmet needs, specifically Parkinson's disease and various cancers, including pancreatic, lung, and breast cancer. The company aims to enhance treatment efficacy by combining drugs with complementary mechanisms of action, which allows for improved clinical outcomes and potentially shorter regulatory approval processes. In addition to its innovative FDCs, Pharma Two B also develops generic products with non-infringing formulations and licenses its products for development and commercialization through milestone and royalty agreements.

Vidac Pharma Ltd. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Jerusalem, Israel, focused on developing innovative therapies for oncologic and dermatologic diseases. The company is dedicated to discovering first-in-class medicines that address significant unmet medical needs, particularly in the areas of skin cancer and solid tumors. Vidac's lead product, VDA-1102, is an ointment currently in clinical development for treating actinic keratosis and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Additionally, the company is developing a second molecule, VDA-1275, which may have applications across various solid tumors. Vidac Pharma's unique approach targets the VDAC/HK2 system, which is specific to malignant cells, facilitating selective apoptosis of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, thus aiming to deliver effective and well-tolerated treatments.