Amylyx Pharmaceuticals
Series C in 2021
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease, and Wolfram syndrome. Founded in 2013 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company is best known for its investigational therapy AMX0035, a fixed-dose co-formulation of sodium phenylbutyrate and Taurursodiol. This treatment aims to address the energy crisis within mitochondria and the accumulation of toxic, unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, both of which contribute to the progression of neurodegenerative conditions. Through its research and development efforts, Amylyx seeks to provide effective solutions to mitigate the suffering caused by these debilitating diseases.
Sesame, Inc., operating as SesameCare, is a healthcare technology company founded in 2018 and based in New York, New York. The company has developed an innovative platform that enables users to book medical appointments and access healthcare services conveniently and affordably. By leveraging an AI-enabled marketplace, SesameCare eliminates the need for health insurance, fostering competition among healthcare providers based on quality, accessibility, and pricing. This approach allows the company to offer Americans high-quality medical care at significantly reduced costs. Additionally, Sesame is recognized as the official telehealth partner of Costco, further enhancing its reach and service offerings.
Akouos, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing precision genetic medicine aimed at restoring, improving, and preserving hearing for individuals with various forms of hearing loss. Utilizing a proprietary adeno-associated viral vector library and an innovative delivery approach, Akouos focuses on gene therapies tailored to genetically-defined patient populations, including those affected by specific genetic mutations, ototoxic drug exposure, and age-related hearing loss. The company's lead product candidate, AK-OTOF, targets hearing loss associated with mutations in the OTOF gene. Founded in 2016 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, Akouos collaborates with strategic partners, including Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Lonza, Inc., to advance its mission of providing effective treatments for sensorineural hearing loss.
Frequency Therapeutics
Series C in 2019
Frequency Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to repairing or reversing damage caused by degenerative diseases through its innovative Progenitor Cell Activation approach. This method utilizes a combination of small molecules to activate progenitor cells in the body, which facilitates the creation of functional tissue without the complexities of genetic engineering. The company’s lead product candidate, FX-322, is currently undergoing phase 2a clinical trials aimed at treating the underlying causes of sensorineural hearing loss. In addition to FX-322, Frequency Therapeutics is exploring treatments for various degenerative conditions, including multiple sclerosis and diseases affecting muscle, the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and bone. Established in 2014 and based in Woburn, Massachusetts, Frequency Therapeutics has established a collaboration agreement with Astellas Pharma Inc. for the development and commercialization of FX-322.