RA Capital

RA Capital Management, L.P. is a Boston-based venture capital firm focused on growth capital and early-stage investments in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Established in 2001, the firm specializes in funding companies involved in drug development, medical devices, diagnostics, and biotechnology. It engages in a range of investment stages, from seed funding to later rounds and public offerings, often preferring to co-invest and take board positions. RA Capital targets companies that are innovating in areas such as prevention, cost-effective diagnostics, genetic testing, and personalized medicine. The firm is staffed by professionals with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, and medicine, providing them with a deep understanding of the scientific and regulatory landscape. This expertise allows RA Capital to identify promising technologies and offer strategic guidance, including potential partnerships and insights into public market demands.

Ryan Berry

Analyst

Michael Calore

Director of Investor Relations

Tess Cameron

Principal

Parker Cassidy

Principal

Amanda Daniels

Operations Team

Derek DiRocco

Partner

Matthew Hammond

Principal

Nathaniel B. Horwitz

Principal

Peter Kolchinsky Ph.D

Managing Partner

Andrew Levin Ph.D

Managing Partner

Daniel Marks Ph.D

Principal

Josh Resnick

Managing Director

Zach Scheiner

Principal

Rajeev Shah

Managing Partner

Jake Simson

Partner

Laura Tadvalkar

Principal

Jack Vailas

Senior Associate

Past deals in Pharmaceuticals

Mineralys Therapeutics

Series B in 2022
Mineralys Therapeutics, Inc., a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded by Catalys Pacific committed to developing best-in-class, novel therapy for the treatment of hypertension. The Company is driven to bring a targeted approach to the management of hypertension via the development of MLS-101. MLS-101, licensed from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, is a highly selective and potent aldosterone synthase inhibitor that is being investigated for the treatment of hypertension.
Founded in April 2006, Concert Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to creating new medicines through a novel scientific approach utilizing the naturally-occurring element deuterium. Concert applies its innovative precision deuterium chemistry platform to modify specific properties of validated drug molecules, yielding a rich pipeline of new chemical entities (NCEs). Concert leverages decades of pharmaceutical experience to create novel drug candidates with potential for best-in-class efficacy and safety, while greatly reducing R&D risk, time and expense.

Be Biopharma

Series B in 2022
Be Biopharma, Inc. is focused on developing innovative therapeutics derived from engineered B-cells within the immune system. The company aims to address significant limitations associated with existing cell and gene therapies, such as the challenges of administering multiple doses, unpredictable patient reactions, and the necessity of potentially harmful chemotherapy regimens prior to treatment. Be Biopharma's approach allows for the creation of durable therapies that can be re-administered without toxic conditioning, making these treatments suitable for a range of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. Founded in 2020, Be Biopharma is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Acrivon Therapeutics

Series B in 2021
Acrivon Therapeutics is a biotech company specializing in drug development through early clinical treatment success.

Expansion Therapeutics

Series B in 2021
Expansion Therapeutics is a drug discovery and development company pursuing the vast potential of small molecule medicines for RNA-mediated diseases.

ARS Pharmaceuticals

Series D in 2021
ARS Pharmaceuticals is a stealth pharmaceutical company that developed a novel intranasal epinephrine spray with a unique absorption technology that could be easy-to-use, convenient, and more reliable for patients and loved ones at risk of severe allergic reactions to food, medications and insect bites that could lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Sydnexis

Series B in 2021
Sydnexis is engaged in the development of a proprietary treatment for pediatric progressive myopia, a major global unmet medical need. Sydnexis manufactures pharmaceutical product for ophthalmic disorder or condition.

Frontier Medicines

Series B in 2021
Frontier Medicines Corporation is a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2018. The company specializes in discovering and developing medicines that target cancer-causing proteins through its innovative chemoproteomics platform. This platform utilizes advanced computational techniques and machine learning to identify new binding pockets on proteins, thereby facilitating the discovery and development of small-molecule drugs. By enhancing the drug development process, Frontier Medicines aims to deliver breakthrough therapies that can significantly change the treatment landscape for debilitating diseases.

Point Biopharma

Post in 2021
POINT Biopharma Global Inc. is a globally focused radiopharmaceutical company building a platform for the clinical development and commercialization of radioligands that fight cancer. POINT Biopharma Global Inc. is combining a portfolio of best-in-class radiopharmaceutical assets, a seasoned management team, expertise in radioisotopes such as Actinium-225 (Ac-225) and Lutetium-177 (Lu-177), manufacturing technology and novel direct-to-patient targeting to revolutionize theragnostic drug development and radioligand commercialization.

Bright Peak Therapeutics

Series B in 2021
Bright Peak Therapeutics is a biotechnology company with a platform capable of chemically synthesizing and optimizing natural proteins such as cytokines.

NiKang Therapeutics

Series C in 2021
NiKang Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company established in 2017 and located in Wilmington, Delaware. The company is dedicated to discovering and developing innovative small molecule oncology medicines aimed at addressing unmet medical needs in cancer treatment. By employing a discovery approach that leverages target structure biology and structure-based drug design, NiKang Therapeutics aims to facilitate the rapid and efficient development of proprietary drug candidates with optimal pharmacological properties. The company seeks to enhance the treatment options available to healthcare providers, ultimately improving patient outcomes in the fight against cancer.

DTx Pharma

Series B in 2021
DTx Pharma, LLC is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing fatty acid-conjugated peptide therapeutics aimed at treating patients with rare and chronic diseases globally. The company utilizes innovative technology to enhance the delivery of RNA medicines to various tissues and organ systems, effectively addressing limitations faced by earlier platforms, such as poor pharmacokinetics and inadequate cellular uptake. DTx Pharma's therapies target conditions including retinitis pigmentosa, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and central nervous system disorders. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Day One Biopharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company focused on developing new cancer therapies for patients of all ages. The company understands that advances in cancer research now enable drug developers to identify children and adults who may benefit from the same medicine. They develop new therapies that meet the critical needs of people of all ages living with cancer starting from the biology of childhood cancer. Day One Biopharmaceuticals also focuses its efforts to bring the best medicines to families receiving the life-altering news of a new cancer diagnosis and the need for a treatment plan. It prioritizes programs that can be rapidly brought to market for both younger and older patients. The company's goal is to license and acquire the most promising products from research institutions as well as for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Day One Biopharmaceuticals was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, CA, USA.

Kira Pharma

Series B in 2021
Kira Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company founded in 2017 and based in Suzhou, China. The company specializes in the development of complement-targeted therapies and antibody drugs aimed at treating immune-mediated diseases. Kira Pharmaceuticals focuses on research, development, and production of innovative antibody therapies that provide improved treatment options for patients with complement-mediated conditions. By targeting immune modulation, the company strives to offer transformative solutions to enhance patient care and outcomes in various disease areas.

Be Biopharma

Series A in 2020
Be Biopharma, Inc. is focused on developing innovative therapeutics derived from engineered B-cells within the immune system. The company aims to address significant limitations associated with existing cell and gene therapies, such as the challenges of administering multiple doses, unpredictable patient reactions, and the necessity of potentially harmful chemotherapy regimens prior to treatment. Be Biopharma's approach allows for the creation of durable therapies that can be re-administered without toxic conditioning, making these treatments suitable for a range of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. Founded in 2020, Be Biopharma is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Alchemab Therapeutics

Series A in 2020
Alchemab Therapeutics is developing natural protective antibodies designed to keep people free of hard-to-treat diseases. They are building their transformative engine to identify novel drug targets and develop a broad pipeline of novel antibody therapeutics for hard-to-treat cancers, neurodegenerative conditions, and infectious diseases.
Suzhou Connect Biopharmaceuticals, Ltd., a clinical-stage company, discovers and develops novel medicines for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and inflammation. Its products in pipeline includes CBP-307, an orally-active, second-generation S1P1 agonist for the treatment of a range of autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, graft-versus-host disease, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis; CBP-174 for allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis; and CBP-201, a novel monoclonal antibody for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and other types of allergic inflammation. The company is headquartered in Taicang, China with operations in Melbourne and San Diego.

PMV Pharmaceutcals

Series D in 2020
PMV Pharma is developing first-in-class p53 and p53 pathway modulators for the treatment of cancer. Bringing together leaders in the field to utilize over three decades of p53 biology, PMV Pharma combines unique biological understanding with pharmaceutical development focus.

Verona Pharma

Post in 2020
Verona Pharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in London, dedicated to the discovery and development of therapies for chronic respiratory diseases. The company focuses on addressing unmet medical needs related to conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis. Its lead product candidate, ensifentrine, is an inhaled dual inhibitor of phosphodiesterase enzymes that functions as both a bronchodilator and an anti-inflammatory agent. Currently, ensifentrine is undergoing clinical development, with formulations such as nebulized and dry powder inhalers being tested for the maintenance treatment of COPD. Verona Pharma aims to enhance the health and quality of life for individuals affected by these respiratory conditions. Founded in 2005, the company continues to advance its innovative therapeutic solutions.

Everest Medicines

Series C in 2020
Everest Medicines Limited, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on licensing, developing, and commercializing therapies for addressing critical unmet medical needs in Greater China and other Asia Pacific markets. It has a portfolio of eight clinical-stage drug candidates for the treatment of oncology, immunology, cardio-renal disease, and infectious diseases. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China.

Atea Pharmaceuticals

Series D in 2020
Atea Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of next-generation therapeutics for severe human viral infections. It caters to the healthcare industry and engages in the discovery and development of antiviral therapeutics that enable patients to have treatment for infections caused by RNA and DNA viruses. Atea Pharmaceuticals was established in 2014 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

Lyra Therapeutics

Series C in 2020
Lyra Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage therapeutics company that specializes in developing and commercializing innovative drug and delivery solutions for the localized treatment of ear, nose, and throat diseases. Utilizing its proprietary XTreo technology platform, the company aims to deliver medications directly to affected tissues for extended periods with a single administration. Its lead product candidates, LYR-210 and LYR-220, are bioresorbable polymeric matrices designed for non-invasive in-office procedures, providing up to six months of continuous drug therapy specifically for chronic rhinosinusitis. The active ingredient in these formulations is mometasone furoate, which is recognized for its efficacy and safety in various FDA-approved therapies. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, Lyra Therapeutics was formerly known as 480 Biomedical, Inc. before rebranding in July 2018.

Iterum Therapeutics

Post in 2020
Iterum Therapeutics plc, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, engages in developing anti-infectives for multi-drug resistant pathogens in Ireland and the United States. The company is developing sulopenem, a novel penem anti-infective compound with oral and IV formulations that is in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections, complicated urinary tract infections, and complicated intra-abdominal infections. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

Frontier Medicines

Series A in 2019
Frontier Medicines Corporation is a pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2018. The company specializes in discovering and developing medicines that target cancer-causing proteins through its innovative chemoproteomics platform. This platform utilizes advanced computational techniques and machine learning to identify new binding pockets on proteins, thereby facilitating the discovery and development of small-molecule drugs. By enhancing the drug development process, Frontier Medicines aims to deliver breakthrough therapies that can significantly change the treatment landscape for debilitating diseases.

Inhibrx

Convertible Note in 2019
Inhibrx, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in La Jolla, California, that specializes in developing a diverse pipeline of novel biologic therapeutic candidates. The company is focused on addressing complex disease biology through its proprietary protein engineering methods, including a single-domain antibody platform. Its key candidates include INBRX-109, a multivalent agonist targeting death receptor 5 for solid tumors; INBRX-105, an antagonist of PD-L1 and conditional agonist of 4-1BB for PD-L1 expressing tumors; INBRX-101, an Fc-fusion protein aimed at alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency; and INBRX-103, a monoclonal antibody targeting cluster of differentiation 47. Additionally, Inhibrx has preclinical programs such as INBRX-106 and INBRX-111, which focus on oncology and infectious diseases. The company has established collaborations with organizations like Celgene and bluebird bio and has received support from various granting agencies, including the NIH and CARB-X.

Phathom Pharmaceuticals

Venture Round in 2019
Phathom Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing treatments for gastrointestinal diseases. The company has the rights in the United States, Europe, and Canada to vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) that blocks acid secretion in the stomach. It is also developing vonoprazan, which is in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease; and in combination with antibiotics for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

Attune Pharmaceuticals

Series B in 2019
Attune Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology research and development company. The company develops novel oral small molecule therapeutics for treatment of rare diseases. Attune Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is based in New York, New York.

Lyra Therapeutics

Series B in 2018
Lyra Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage therapeutics company that specializes in developing and commercializing innovative drug and delivery solutions for the localized treatment of ear, nose, and throat diseases. Utilizing its proprietary XTreo technology platform, the company aims to deliver medications directly to affected tissues for extended periods with a single administration. Its lead product candidates, LYR-210 and LYR-220, are bioresorbable polymeric matrices designed for non-invasive in-office procedures, providing up to six months of continuous drug therapy specifically for chronic rhinosinusitis. The active ingredient in these formulations is mometasone furoate, which is recognized for its efficacy and safety in various FDA-approved therapies. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, Lyra Therapeutics was formerly known as 480 Biomedical, Inc. before rebranding in July 2018.

Imbria Pharmaceuticals

Seed Round in 2018
Imbria Pharmaceuticals’ mission is to translate our understanding of cellular metabolism into innovative medicines that improve the lives of patients with limited or inadequate treatment options. The company was founded by doctors and launched by an all doctor executive team motivated by the promise of bringing new therapies to people in need. We are propelled by a deep scientific interest in cellular metabolism and the mitochondria, and are guided by both values and a code of business conduct built upon our commitment to always put the patients, families and communities we serve at the forefront of all that we do.

CiVi Biopharma

Venture Round in 2018
CiVi Biopharma is a clinical stage research and development biotechnology company whose mission is to create novel cardiovascular and metabolic therapies that have meaningful value to patients. The company has multiple assets in various stages of development including Intravenous Iloprost in Phase 3 trials for treatment of Systemic Sclerosis.

Arvinas

Series C in 2018
Arvinas is a pharmaceutical company that focuses on developing novel therapeutics to treat a variety of diseases including cancer, pro-inflammatory, autoimmune and rare diseases. Its proprietary approach is the targeting of disease-causing proteins for degradation thus eliminating them from the body. The company was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Connecticut, United States.

Crinetics Pharmaceuticals

Series B in 2018
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops novel therapeutics targeting peptide hormone receptors for the treatment of endocrine-related diseases and cancers. Their programs are derived from internal discovery efforts and use objective hormonal biomarker endpoints for preclinical and clinical studies to reduce both the risk and cost to achieve meaningful clinical data. Crinetics is seeking motivated partners to help advance Their programs to become commercially successful products.

Expansion Therapeutics

Series A in 2018
Expansion Therapeutics is a drug discovery and development company pursuing the vast potential of small molecule medicines for RNA-mediated diseases.

Sydnexis

Venture Round in 2017
Sydnexis is engaged in the development of a proprietary treatment for pediatric progressive myopia, a major global unmet medical need. Sydnexis manufactures pharmaceutical product for ophthalmic disorder or condition.

Realm Therapeutics

Post in 2017
Realm Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company passionately committed to leveraging its proprietary technologies to protect and improve the health of adults and children. The Company's drug development focus, utilizing its immunomodulatory formulations, is targeted initially on developing small molecule therapies in inflammatory diseases with potential application in dermatology and ophthalmology, and the potential for broad applicability across a number of other diseases.
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of innovative medicines. Founded in 1887 and headquartered in New York City, the company focuses on therapeutic areas such as hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, and immunology. Its notable products include Opdivo for cancer treatment, Eliquis for stroke prevention and venous thromboembolic disorders, and Orencia for rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, its portfolio features treatments for chronic hepatitis B, HIV, and multiple myeloma, among others. The company operates through two segments: Pharmaceuticals and Nutritionals, with the latter managed by its subsidiary, Mead Johnson Nutrition. Bristol Myers Squibb collaborates with various partners, including Pfizer and AstraZeneca, to enhance its research and development capabilities. The company has a long history and has evolved significantly, changing its name to Bristol-Myers Squibb in 1989.

Janssen

Seed Round in 2017
Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is a pharmaceutical company focused on transforming healthcare through innovative medicines and solutions. Founded in 1953 by Dr. Paul Janssen, the company conducts extensive research and development across various therapeutic areas, including oncology, mental health, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal issues, and immunology. Janssen aims to address serious health concerns by delivering effective and affordable treatments, ensuring that patients have access to the best available care. The company is committed to improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes through the integration of new technologies and consumer empowerment. By addressing unmet medical needs, Janssen continues to advance the science of medicine while striving to create a healthier world for all.

Biohaven Pharmaceutical

Venture Round in 2016
Biohaven is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. It has a portfolio of late-stage product candidates targeting neurological diseases, including rare disorders. The company product candidates are based on multiple mechanisms-calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists, glutamate modulators and myeloperoxidase inhibitor. Its pipeline products include BHV3000-301, BHV3000-302, BHV3000-303, and others.

Arvinas

Series B in 2015
Arvinas is a pharmaceutical company that focuses on developing novel therapeutics to treat a variety of diseases including cancer, pro-inflammatory, autoimmune and rare diseases. Its proprietary approach is the targeting of disease-causing proteins for degradation thus eliminating them from the body. The company was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Connecticut, United States.

Aclaris Therapeutics

Series C in 2015
Aclaris Therapeutics started by the founders of Vicept Therapeutics, is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical dermatology company focused on the development of novel dermatologic therapies. It is committed to identifying, developing, and commercializing innovative therapies to address significant unmet needs in dermatology, both medical and aesthetic, and immunology. Aclaris is focused on market segments with no FDA-approved medications or where treatment gaps exist.

Wave Life Sciences

Series B in 2015
Wave Life Sciences Ltd. is a clinical stage genetic medicine company that specializes in the design and production of novel stereopure oligonucleotides using its proprietary PRISM platform. Focused on addressing genetic defects, the company develops therapies aimed at reducing the expression of harmful proteins or converting dysfunctional proteins into functional ones. Its primary research areas include neurologic conditions affecting the central and neuromuscular systems. Wave Life Sciences has established research and collaboration agreements with major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Takeda, to advance its oligonucleotide therapeutics. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in Singapore and maintains research facilities in Boston and Japan. The founding scientists, Gregory Verdine and Takeshi Wada, are recognized leaders in the field, contributing their expertise to the development of innovative nucleic acid therapeutics.

Ra Pharmaceuticals

Series B in 2015
Ra Pharma is developing Cyclomimetics, a new drug class with the diversity and specificity of antibodies, coupled with the many benefits of small molecules. Ra Pharma is leveraging its ability to rapidly generate drug candidates to develop its own portfolio of products and partnerships focused on intracellular protein-protein interactions and other innovative approaches to addressing unmet medical needs. It was founded in 2008 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Collegium Pharmaceutical

Venture Round in 2015
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.

Agile Therapeutics

Post in 2015
Agile Therapeutics, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, engages in the development of women's healthcare products. It offers a low estrogen dose seven-day transdermal contraceptive patch system that delivers a combination of levonorgestrel and Ethinylestradiol. The company was founded in 1997 as Levotech, Inc. and changed its name to Agile Therapeutics, Inc. in April 2001. It is based in Princeton, New Jersey.

Wave Life Sciences

Series A in 2015
Wave Life Sciences Ltd. is a clinical stage genetic medicine company that specializes in the design and production of novel stereopure oligonucleotides using its proprietary PRISM platform. Focused on addressing genetic defects, the company develops therapies aimed at reducing the expression of harmful proteins or converting dysfunctional proteins into functional ones. Its primary research areas include neurologic conditions affecting the central and neuromuscular systems. Wave Life Sciences has established research and collaboration agreements with major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Takeda, to advance its oligonucleotide therapeutics. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in Singapore and maintains research facilities in Boston and Japan. The founding scientists, Gregory Verdine and Takeshi Wada, are recognized leaders in the field, contributing their expertise to the development of innovative nucleic acid therapeutics.

Blueprint Medicines

Series C in 2014
Blueprint Medicines Corporation focuses on developing small molecule kinase inhibitors aimed at treating genomic drivers in cancers, rare diseases, and enhancing cancer immunotherapy. The company is advancing several key drug candidates, including avapritinib for systemic mastocytosis and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, BLU-263 for indolent systemic mastocytosis and other mast cell disorders, and fisogatinib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, currently in Phase I clinical trials. Additionally, pralsetinib targets RET-altered non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors, while BLU-782 is being investigated for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Blueprint Medicines emphasizes the development of personalized cancer therapies by leveraging insights into cancer genomics and utilizing a proprietary chemical library to identify new therapeutic compounds. The company collaborates with various partners, including Clementia Pharmaceuticals and Genentech, to enhance its research and development efforts.

Bellicum Pharmaceuticals

Series C in 2014
Bellicum Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage company developing next generation therapeutic vaccines and other immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of cancer and chronic infectious diseases. Bellicum's novel approach is to utilize precise knowledge of the signaling pathways that regulate the immune response to target specific factors that can influence the potency and duration of this response.
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals is a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing ophthalmic products for the treatment of eye diseases, primarily in the United States and Europe. The company offers several FDA-approved products, including ILUVIEN for diabetic macular edema, YUTIQ for chronic non-infectious uveitis, DEXYCU for post-operative ocular inflammation, and Retisert for posterior segment uveitis. EyePoint is also advancing its pipeline with EYP-1901, a bioerodible implant targeting wet age-related macular degeneration and related conditions, as well as YUTIQ50 for uveitis. The company utilizes its proprietary Durasert and Verisome technology platforms to create sustained-release drug delivery systems. EyePoint has established strategic collaborations with various organizations and engages in a commercial alliance for the promotion of its products. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, EyePoint was previously known as pSivida Corp.

ZS Pharma

Series D in 2014
ZS Pharma, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Coppell, Texas, focused on developing non-absorbed drugs for renal, cardiovascular, liver, and metabolic diseases. Established in 2008, the company specializes in highly selective ion-trap therapies, particularly its lead candidate, ZS-9. This innovative treatment employs proprietary zirconium silicate technology to create ion traps that can effectively reduce excess potassium levels in patients suffering from hyperkalemia, a serious condition often associated with chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure. ZS-9 is currently undergoing late-stage clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy and safety. As of December 2015, ZS Pharma operates as a subsidiary of Zeneca, Inc.
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Victoria, British Columbia, that specializes in developing and commercializing therapies for serious diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The company is primarily focused on the investigational drug voclosporin, which is being developed for the treatment of lupus nephritis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and dry eye syndrome. Aurinia aims to address the needs of targeted patient populations in both the United States and China through its innovative therapeutic approaches.
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company based in Pasadena, California, focused on developing innovative therapies for intractable diseases with a genetic basis, particularly those involving the overproduction of specific proteins. The company's pipeline includes several RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic candidates, such as ARO-AAT for liver diseases linked to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, ARO-APOC3 for hypertriglyceridemia, and ARO-HIF2 for clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Other candidates in various stages of clinical trials aim to address conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COVID-19, and cardiovascular diseases. Arrowhead has established collaboration agreements with Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Takeda Pharmaceuticals to further advance its RNAi therapeutics targeting liver-expressed genes. The company, originally founded as Arrowhead Research Corporation in 1989, rebranded in 2016 to reflect its focus on pharmaceutical development.

OvaScience

Series B in 2012
OvaScience, Inc. was a fertility company dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative treatment options for women facing infertility challenges. The company focused on its patented technology involving the discovery of egg precursor (EggPC) cells, which aimed to transform fertility treatments. Key offerings included OvaPrime, which sought to restore egg production by utilizing a woman’s own EggPC cells; OvaTure, designed to mature these cells into fertilizable eggs outside the body; and AUGMENT, which enhanced fertilization and pregnancy rates by incorporating mitochondria from a woman’s EggPC cells. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, OvaScience was co-founded by notable figures from the life sciences field and was backed by prominent investors. In December 2018, OvaScience was acquired by Millendo Therapeutics in a reverse merger transaction.

Athersys

Venture Round in 2007
Athersys is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of therapeutic product candidates designed to extend and improve the quality of human life. The product development portfolio of the Company includes MultiStem, a stem cell product, which is being developed as a treatment for multiple disease indications, and is being evaluated in two ongoing clinical trials, and has been authorized for use in a third clinical trial. In addition, the Company is developing pharmaceuticals to treat indications such as obesity, certain cognitive and attention disorders, and narcolepsy or other forms of excessive daytime sleepiness.

Genelabs Technologies

Venture Round in 2006
As of January 6, 2009, Genelabs Technologies Inc. was acquired by SmithKline Beecham Corporation. Genelabs Technologies, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery and development of infectious disease therapies to improve human health. The company's product pipeline consists of infectious disease projects focusing on Hepatitis C virus infection; and late-stage clinical assets, including an investigational vaccine for hepatitis E virus that is being developed by GlaxoSmithKline; and Prestara, an investigational drug for systemic lupus erythematosus. It has license and collaboration agreement with the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research for HCV polymerase non-nucleoside discovery research. Genelabs Technologies also has a collaborative research agreement with the National Health Research Institutes and Genovate Biotechnology Co., Ltd. to discover and develop compounds that target the hepatitis C virus. The company was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Redwood City, California.