Investor directory

Novo Holdings

Novo Holdings, established in 1999, is the holding company of the Novo Group, primarily managing the investment assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Based in Copenhagen, with additional offices in San Francisco and Boston, Novo Holdings focuses on two main investment categories: Life Science Investments, which encompasses funding life science companies at various stages of development, and Financial Investments, which entails managing a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed income securities. As a prominent life science investor, Novo Holdings aims to create long-term value while ensuring that the Foundation can distribute returns for scientific, social, and humanitarian purposes to enhance public health and welfare. The company has also developed initiatives such as Novo Seeds, which supports early-stage applied research in life sciences, and invests in later-stage life science companies through growth equity. Novo Holdings maintains a strategic influence over affiliated companies, aligning their operations with the values and objectives of the Novo Group.

Focus

Scale StageTherapeuticsSeries ASeries BEarly VentureShow more
http://www.novoholdings.dk
https://takcharkh.com
https://crunchbase.com/organization/novo-a-s
https://linkedin.com/company/novo-a-s
https://pitchbook.com/profiles/fund/14870-71F
https://signal.nfx.com/firms/novo-ventures
https://www.capitaliq.com/CIQDotNet/company.aspx?companyId=980152

Scott Beardsley

Managing Partner, Life Sciences Operating Committee, Venture Investments

Jørgen Boe

Director

Emmanuelle Coutanceau

Partner

Thomas P. Dyrberg

Partner

Casper Tind Hansen

Principal

Karen Hong

Partner

Junie Lim

DIRECTOR, GENERAL COUNSEL (US)

Heather Ludvigsen

Investor

Peter Moldt

Partner

Søren Møller

Managing Partner

Jørgen Søberg Petersen

Senior Partner, Seed Investments

Past deals in Clinical Trials

Aristea Therapeutics

Series B in 2021
Aristea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage drug development company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2018. The company focuses on creating novel therapies aimed at treating serious inflammatory diseases and autoimmune conditions. By developing innovative drug candidates, Aristea Therapeutics seeks to address the unmet medical needs of patients suffering from these challenging health issues.

IO Biotech

Series B in 2021
IO Biotech ApS is a clinical stage biotech company developing disruptive immune therapies i.e. checkpoint/cancer vaccines. Checkpoint/cancer vaccines suppress the function of regulatory immune cells and induce inflammation in the microenvironment in addition to direct targeting of cancer cells.

Praxis Precision Medicines

Series C in 2020
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.

IO Biotech

Debt Financing in 2020
IO Biotech ApS is a clinical stage biotech company developing disruptive immune therapies i.e. checkpoint/cancer vaccines. Checkpoint/cancer vaccines suppress the function of regulatory immune cells and induce inflammation in the microenvironment in addition to direct targeting of cancer cells.

Inventiva Pharma

Post in 2020
Inventiva Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of oral small molecule therapies for the treatment of patients with significant unmet medical needs in the areas of fibrosis, lysosomal storage disorders and oncology. They have built a pipeline backed by a discovery engine with an extensive library of proprietary molecules, a wholly-owned research and development facility and a team with significant expertise and deep experience in the development of compounds that target nuclear receptors, transcription factors and epigenetic modulation. Leveraging these assets and expertise, they are advancing two clinical candidates in three indications, as well as a deep pipeline of earlier stage programs.

WCG

Private Equity Round in 2019
WCG is a prominent provider of regulatory and ethical review services for human research, focusing on enhancing the quality and efficiency of clinical studies. The company reviews new research protocols and offers a range of services including clinical and human gene therapy research, laboratory biosafety consulting, and solutions for human research protections. WCG also provides online learning resources, an electronic informed consent solution to streamline clinical processes, oncology review services, and a cloud-based platform for managing research activities. Serving a diverse clientele that includes large pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and contract research organizations, WCG is committed to accelerating the delivery of new treatments while upholding high standards of human subject protection. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, WCG operates multiple locations across the United States and in Tokyo, Japan, and has established a strategic partnership with InformedDNA.

Draupnir Bio

Seed Round in 2019
Draupnir Bio is focused on developing innovative cholesterol-lowering medications aimed at preventing blood clots in the heart with greater efficacy than existing treatments. The company utilizes a platform that explores the glycome to create novel therapeutics, employing advanced techniques in array technology, protein chemistry, and carbohydrate chemistry. This platform enables the synthesis, screening, and selection of potent heparan sulfate glycomimetic drug candidates, targeting cardiovascular, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. Additionally, Draupnir Bio's technology includes the development of protein degraders that can target extracellular disease proteins, potentially addressing a wide range of unmet therapeutic needs across various medical conditions. This approach promises more convenient and accessible treatment options compared to traditional injectable therapies.

Allievex

Series A in 2019
Allievex is a clinical-stage biotechnology company

Inventiva Pharma

Post in 2019
Inventiva Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of oral small molecule therapies for the treatment of patients with significant unmet medical needs in the areas of fibrosis, lysosomal storage disorders and oncology. They have built a pipeline backed by a discovery engine with an extensive library of proprietary molecules, a wholly-owned research and development facility and a team with significant expertise and deep experience in the development of compounds that target nuclear receptors, transcription factors and epigenetic modulation. Leveraging these assets and expertise, they are advancing two clinical candidates in three indications, as well as a deep pipeline of earlier stage programs.

Oxford BioMedica

Acquisition in 2019
Oxford BioMedica is a pioneer of gene and cell therapy, with a leading industry position in lentiviral vector and cell therapy research, development and manufacture. Gene therapy is the treatment of disease by delivering therapeutic DNA into a patient’s cells. This can be either in vivo or ex vivo, the latter encompassing the field of cell therapy whereby genetically modified cells are put back into the body. Their pipeline of seven gene and cell therapy therapy products addresses diseases for which there is currently no treatment or that are inadequately treated today, including ocular and central nervous system disorders. Their product candidates have the potential to transform treatment landscapes. Their strategy is to develop their product candidates to their next value inflection points whilst continuing to build OXB Solutions into a valuable revenue-generating manufacturing and development services business.

Aristea Therapeutics

Series A in 2018
Aristea Therapeutics is a clinical-stage drug development company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2018. The company focuses on creating novel therapies aimed at treating serious inflammatory diseases and autoimmune conditions. By developing innovative drug candidates, Aristea Therapeutics seeks to address the unmet medical needs of patients suffering from these challenging health issues.

Galera Therapeutics

Series C in 2018
Galera Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics that aim to enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy in cancer treatment. The company’s lead product candidate, avasopasem manganese (GC4419), is a small molecule mimetic of superoxide dismutase designed to address radiation-induced severe oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. It is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials for this indication and Phase IIa trials for treating radiotherapy-induced esophagitis in lung cancer patients. Additionally, Galera is developing a second candidate, GC4711, which is in Phase I/II trials for pancreatic and lung cancers. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Galera Therapeutics is dedicated to transforming cancer treatment through advancements in oxygen metabolic pathways.

Cirius Therapeutics

Series A in 2018
Cirius Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of liver and metabolic diseases. Its lead product candidate MSDC-0602K, is an oral small molecule that is in Phase 2b clinical trial being developed to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with fibrosis. Cirius Therapeutics, Inc. was formerly known as Octeta Therapeutics, LLC and changed its name to Cirius Therapeutics, Inc. in March 2017. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Inventiva Pharma

Post in 2018
Inventiva Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of oral small molecule therapies for the treatment of patients with significant unmet medical needs in the areas of fibrosis, lysosomal storage disorders and oncology. They have built a pipeline backed by a discovery engine with an extensive library of proprietary molecules, a wholly-owned research and development facility and a team with significant expertise and deep experience in the development of compounds that target nuclear receptors, transcription factors and epigenetic modulation. Leveraging these assets and expertise, they are advancing two clinical candidates in three indications, as well as a deep pipeline of earlier stage programs.

Cirius Therapeutics

Series A in 2017
Cirius Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of liver and metabolic diseases. Its lead product candidate MSDC-0602K, is an oral small molecule that is in Phase 2b clinical trial being developed to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with fibrosis. Cirius Therapeutics, Inc. was formerly known as Octeta Therapeutics, LLC and changed its name to Cirius Therapeutics, Inc. in March 2017. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Galera Therapeutics

Series B in 2016
Galera Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics that aim to enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy in cancer treatment. The company’s lead product candidate, avasopasem manganese (GC4419), is a small molecule mimetic of superoxide dismutase designed to address radiation-induced severe oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. It is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials for this indication and Phase IIa trials for treating radiotherapy-induced esophagitis in lung cancer patients. Additionally, Galera is developing a second candidate, GC4711, which is in Phase I/II trials for pancreatic and lung cancers. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Galera Therapeutics is dedicated to transforming cancer treatment through advancements in oxygen metabolic pathways.

Galera Therapeutics

Series B in 2015
Galera Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics that aim to enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy in cancer treatment. The company’s lead product candidate, avasopasem manganese (GC4419), is a small molecule mimetic of superoxide dismutase designed to address radiation-induced severe oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. It is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials for this indication and Phase IIa trials for treating radiotherapy-induced esophagitis in lung cancer patients. Additionally, Galera is developing a second candidate, GC4711, which is in Phase I/II trials for pancreatic and lung cancers. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Galera Therapeutics is dedicated to transforming cancer treatment through advancements in oxygen metabolic pathways.

Corvus Pharmaceuticals

Series B in 2015
Corvus Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel, first-in-class agents that target the immune system to treat patients with cancer. With accomplished and talented scientists, and top-tier investors, we are well positioned in an exciting new era of immuno-oncology.

Glionova

Series A in 2014
Glionova AB is a biopharmaceutical company based in Stockholm, Sweden, focused on developing therapies for challenging cancers. Founded in 2014, the company is working on GLN-1001, an orally bioavailable small molecule designed to selectively induce cell death in glioblastoma cells while sparing normal brain tissue. This innovative approach aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from glioblastoma, a common and aggressive form of primary brain tumor. In addition to its core product development, Glionova seeks to establish strategic partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies that specialize in oncology to enhance its market presence and advance its therapeutic offerings.

F-Star Therapeutics

Venture Round in 2011
F-star Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company develops tetravalent bispecific antibodies for cancer therapy. Its medicines used in immuno-oncology treatments. The company plans for the initiation of a Phase I, open label, first-in-human clinical study of FS222, a bispecific antibody targeting CD137 (4-1BB) and PD-L1. The company is based in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.

Synosia Therapeutics

Series C in 2010
Synosia Therapeutics develops and intends to commercialise products for unmet medical needs in psychiatry and neurology. The privately-owned company has in its pipeline six clinical-stage compounds acquired through partnerships with Novartis, Roche and Syngenta. Two of the compounds are marketed drugs being tested in new indications to extend their reach into neurological and psychiatric diseases with high unmet medical need, including anxiety and Parkinson's disease.

Funxional Therapeutics

Series B in 2010
Funxional Therapeutics Ltd. develops pharmaceutical products in the United Kingdom. Its product candidates include BN83470 for the treatment of respiratory indications, initially asthma; BN83250 for the prevention of surgical adhesion formation and for the treatment of stroke; and FX125L, an orally available small molecule that belongs to a therapeutic class named broad spectrum chemokine inhibitors. The company also offers early stage preclinical programs that focus on Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune disorders, and pain and diabetes. Funxional Therapeutics Ltd. as founded in 2005 and is based in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.

F-Star Therapeutics

Series A in 2010
F-star Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company develops tetravalent bispecific antibodies for cancer therapy. Its medicines used in immuno-oncology treatments. The company plans for the initiation of a Phase I, open label, first-in-human clinical study of FS222, a bispecific antibody targeting CD137 (4-1BB) and PD-L1. The company is based in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.

Synosia Therapeutics

Series B in 2009
Synosia Therapeutics develops and intends to commercialise products for unmet medical needs in psychiatry and neurology. The privately-owned company has in its pipeline six clinical-stage compounds acquired through partnerships with Novartis, Roche and Syngenta. Two of the compounds are marketed drugs being tested in new indications to extend their reach into neurological and psychiatric diseases with high unmet medical need, including anxiety and Parkinson's disease.

Epitherapeutics

Funding Round in 2008
EpiTherapeutics is developing novel innovative cancer drugs based on epigenetics, a therapeutic area researched by renowned scientist Professor Kristian Helin and his group at Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC) at University of Copenhagen. EpiTherapeutics’ development programs are focused on enzymes involved in the regulation of transcription in cancer.

F-Star Therapeutics

Series A in 2007
F-star Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company develops tetravalent bispecific antibodies for cancer therapy. Its medicines used in immuno-oncology treatments. The company plans for the initiation of a Phase I, open label, first-in-human clinical study of FS222, a bispecific antibody targeting CD137 (4-1BB) and PD-L1. The company is based in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.

Synosia Therapeutics

Venture Round in 2007
Synosia Therapeutics develops and intends to commercialise products for unmet medical needs in psychiatry and neurology. The privately-owned company has in its pipeline six clinical-stage compounds acquired through partnerships with Novartis, Roche and Syngenta. Two of the compounds are marketed drugs being tested in new indications to extend their reach into neurological and psychiatric diseases with high unmet medical need, including anxiety and Parkinson's disease.

Thiakis

Series A in 2006
Thiakis Limited with a focus on developing novel medicines for the treatment of obesity and co-morbidities based on original research conducted by Professor Steve Bloom and his colleagues at Imperial College London.

Cabrellis Pharmaceuticals

Series A in 2006
Cabrellis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a specialty pharmaceutical company developing therapies for the treatment of cancer. Cabrellis plans to initiate three separate clinical trials in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in 2006. The first trial, designed to assess the safety and efficacy of Calsed(TM) in reference to topotecan in the second-line treatment of patients with SCLC who previously responded to platinum-based chemotherapy, is currently underway at multiple clinical trial sites in the United States.

Funxional Therapeutics

Series A in 2006
Funxional Therapeutics Ltd. develops pharmaceutical products in the United Kingdom. Its product candidates include BN83470 for the treatment of respiratory indications, initially asthma; BN83250 for the prevention of surgical adhesion formation and for the treatment of stroke; and FX125L, an orally available small molecule that belongs to a therapeutic class named broad spectrum chemokine inhibitors. The company also offers early stage preclinical programs that focus on Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune disorders, and pain and diabetes. Funxional Therapeutics Ltd. as founded in 2005 and is based in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.