Neurona Therapeutics
Venture Round in 2025
Neurona Therapeutics Inc. is a pre-clinical biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing cell-based therapies for neurological disorders. Founded by a team of neuroscientists and stem cell experts from the University of California, San Francisco, Neurona aims to create therapeutic compositions of specific types of neurons for targeted delivery into the injured nervous system. The company is dedicated to addressing chronic neurological diseases through regenerative neural cell therapies, which hold the potential for single-dose curative treatments. Drawing on nearly two decades of research, Neurona believes that certain subpopulations of neurons can effectively integrate and repair dysfunctional neural circuits, thus offering new hope for patients facing significant unmet medical needs.
Neurava
Seed Round in 2024
Neurava is a healthcare company focused on improving the lives of epilepsy patients through the development of non-invasive wearable diagnostic devices. These devices monitor critical biological signals associated with epilepsy and the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), offering a reliable solution for both patients and their caregivers. By providing accurate and timely alerts, especially during nighttime, Neurava's technology empowers caregivers to respond quickly and take preventive actions, thereby enhancing patient safety and peace of mind. The company's commitment to advancing medical device manufacturing and health diagnostics highlights its role in addressing the challenges faced by those with uncontrolled epilepsy.
IMIDomics
Corporate Round in 2024
IMIDomics is a specialized company focused on addressing Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases (IMIDs). It operates by leveraging the world's largest biobank dedicated to IMIDs, alongside its extensive clinical expertise and advanced genomic analysis capabilities. The company develops an analytical platform that provides healthcare professionals with accessible insights from vast amounts of molecular and clinical data, facilitating optimized treatment strategies for patients with IMIDs. With locations at Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, and the HudsonAlpha Institute in Huntsville, Alabama, IMIDomics aims to advance the understanding and management of these complex diseases through innovative biomarker discovery and application.
Neurona Therapeutics
Series E in 2024
Neurona Therapeutics Inc. is a pre-clinical biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing cell-based therapies for neurological disorders. Founded by a team of neuroscientists and stem cell experts from the University of California, San Francisco, Neurona aims to create therapeutic compositions of specific types of neurons for targeted delivery into the injured nervous system. The company is dedicated to addressing chronic neurological diseases through regenerative neural cell therapies, which hold the potential for single-dose curative treatments. Drawing on nearly two decades of research, Neurona believes that certain subpopulations of neurons can effectively integrate and repair dysfunctional neural circuits, thus offering new hope for patients facing significant unmet medical needs.
ViaNautis
Series A in 2023
ViaNautis specializes in the development of innovative medications that effectively cross biological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier. The company employs its proprietary PolyNaut technology, a versatile nano-engineered polymer system designed for intracellular delivery. This technology allows for the encapsulation of various therapeutic modalities into polymer nanovesicles, which can selectively target different tissues and cell types. By facilitating the penetration of these barriers, ViaNautis enhances the therapeutic efficacy of the encapsulated molecules, providing significant benefits in medication delivery and treatment outcomes. Collaborating with multiple partners, the company aims to revolutionize how medications are developed and delivered, particularly in addressing challenging medical conditions.
Switch Therapeutics
Series A in 2023
Switch Therapeutics is a biotechnology company founded in 2020 and based in San Francisco, California. The company focuses on revolutionizing RNA interference (RNAi) therapies by developing biomarker-gated genetic medicines. These innovative therapies utilize nucleic acid nanotechnology and RNAi science to target a variety of diseases, particularly those affecting the central nervous system and other systemic conditions with significant unmet medical needs. Switch Therapeutics aims to provide healthcare providers with RNA molecules and therapies that can be activated selectively in specific cells, enhancing the precision of treatments for central nervous system diseases.
Bingli is a healthcare technology company that specializes in developing applications aimed at improving communication between patients and doctors. The company's application conducts smart pre-consultation interviews with patients, enabling them to accurately convey their symptoms to healthcare providers. This process ensures that patients are better prepared for their consultations, while also allowing doctors to save time during appointments. By facilitating more effective information sharing, Bingli aims to enhance the overall quality of healthcare delivery.
Code Biotherapeutics
Series A in 2022
Code Biotherapeutics is a next-generation gene therapy company pioneering the development of targeted non-viral gene therapies to treat serious and life-threatening genetic diseases. Code Bio leverages its novel multivalent synthetic DNA delivery platform, 3DNA, which has been engineered to overcome many of the challenges inherent with viral-based gene therapies such as immunogenicity, size and delivery limitations, re-dosability, and manufacturing complexity. The company is advancing an internal pipeline focused on select rare disease programs as well as establishing partnerships to take forward programs in both rare and prevalent diseases.
Splice Bio
Series A in 2022
Splice Bio is a biotechnology company based in Barcelona, Spain, that specializes in developing innovative gene therapies using its proprietary intein platform technology. Founded in 2012, the company focuses on addressing the needs of patients suffering from incurable genetic diseases. Splice Bio's technology, originally developed in the Muir Lab at Princeton University, enhances the capabilities of traditional adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) by allowing for larger gene cargo delivery and targeting a broader range of tissues. This advancement aims to overcome existing limitations in gene therapy, making it a promising solution for treating complex genetic disorders. The company was formerly known as Proteodesign, S.L. before rebranding to Splice Bio in September 2020.
Zogenix
Acquisition in 2022
Zogenix, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for patients with rare diseases, particularly within the central nervous system. The company is headquartered in Emeryville, California, and was established in 2006. Its lead product candidate, Fintepla, is a low-dose fenfluramine currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of seizures related to Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Additionally, it is being investigated in Phase II trials for other rare epileptic conditions. Zogenix is also developing MT1621, a therapy aimed at treating inherited mitochondrial DNA depletion disorders. Furthermore, the company collaborates with Tevard Biosciences to explore gene therapies for Dravet syndrome and similar genetic epilepsies. By focusing on therapies that address significant unmet medical needs, Zogenix aims to enhance the quality of life for patients and their families.
EsoBiotec
Seed Round in 2021
EsoBiotec is a Belgian biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery of innovative cancer therapies. The firm specializes in immunotherapies that aim to empower the human body to combat cancer through in vivo cell engineering. EsoBiotec focuses on developing cost-effective drugs and therapeutics, ensuring that patients have access to essential cancer treatments at lower costs. By prioritizing accessibility, the company seeks to improve the overall effectiveness of cancer care and enhance patient outcomes.
Neurona Therapeutics
Venture Round in 2021
Neurona Therapeutics Inc. is a pre-clinical biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing cell-based therapies for neurological disorders. Founded by a team of neuroscientists and stem cell experts from the University of California, San Francisco, Neurona aims to create therapeutic compositions of specific types of neurons for targeted delivery into the injured nervous system. The company is dedicated to addressing chronic neurological diseases through regenerative neural cell therapies, which hold the potential for single-dose curative treatments. Drawing on nearly two decades of research, Neurona believes that certain subpopulations of neurons can effectively integrate and repair dysfunctional neural circuits, thus offering new hope for patients facing significant unmet medical needs.
Rinri Therapeutics
Venture Round in 2021
Rinri Therapeutics Limited is a biotechnology company based in Sheffield, United Kingdom, focused on developing regenerative stem cell-based therapies aimed at treating hearing loss. Founded in 2018, the company's innovative technology targets sensorineural hearing loss by replacing damaged or dead sensory cells in the inner ear, allowing for the potential restoration of hearing in affected patients. Through its advancements in cell therapy, Rinri Therapeutics seeks to provide effective solutions for individuals suffering from hearing impairments.
StrideBio
Series B in 2021
StrideBio, Inc. is a gene therapy company based in Durham, North Carolina, focused on developing innovative genetic medicines for rare diseases. Founded in 2015, the company utilizes a proprietary structure-inspired adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector engineering platform to create unique and differentiated vectors. These vectors are designed to improve upon naturally occurring AAV serotypes, addressing limitations of first-generation gene therapies. StrideBio's technologies facilitate gene addition, silencing, and editing, providing potential curative options for patients with severe medical conditions. By combining structural insights with accelerated evolution, StrideBio aims to produce novel AAV capsids capable of evading neutralizing antibodies, ultimately enhancing treatment outcomes for those affected by rare diseases.
Nile AI
Corporate Round in 2021
Nile AI is an independent company focused on enhancing the care for individuals living with epilepsy, along with their caregivers and healthcare providers. The company aims to make the journey of every epilepsy patient more predictable through its digital epilepsy care management platform. This platform offers tools that enable patients to manage their medication regimens, receive personalized alerts based on seizures and side effects, and access the latest educational resources on epilepsy. By fostering collaboration with partners, Nile AI is dedicated to advancing data-driven, personalized care for those affected by epilepsy.
Locanabio
Series B in 2020
Locanabio, Inc., based in San Diego, California, is a biotechnology company specializing in RNA-targeted gene therapies. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on developing treatments for severe neurodegenerative, neuromuscular, and retinal diseases. Locanabio's platform is designed to modify disease-causing RNA, offering therapeutic candidates distinct from traditional DNA-targeted approaches. The company aims to address a spectrum of underserved diseases, including those affecting the nervous system, muscles, and eyes.
Handl Therapeutics
Acquisition in 2020
Handl Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Leuven, Belgium, focused on developing in vivo gene therapies for complex neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2019, the company aims to address significant unmet medical needs through its innovative therapeutics platform, which is designed to deliver advanced medicines to the market. By leveraging its expertise in gene therapy, Handl Therapeutics seeks to provide transformative treatment options for patients suffering from challenging neurological conditions.
Walden Biosciences
Series A in 2020
Walden Biosciences, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative treatments for individuals suffering from kidney diseases, including chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. Founded in 2013 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company focuses on targeting specific biological mechanisms related to renal health. It specializes in therapies that address suPAR, an inflammatory biomarker linked to kidney function, and Dynamin, an enzyme crucial for maintaining podocyte integrity. By applying a systems-based approach, Walden Biosciences aims to transform the therapeutic landscape for kidney disease, offering targeted treatment options that address both rare and prevalent conditions affecting kidney health.
Syndesi Therapeutics
Series A in 2020
Syndesi Therapeutics SA is a biotechnology company based in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, founded in 2018. The company specializes in developing drug molecules that modulate the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, which is crucial for synaptic transmission—the process that enables communication between neurons in the brain. This innovative approach aims to address cognitive impairments associated with conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Syndesi Therapeutics holds an exclusive license for its platform technology from UCB, a leader in SV2A research, positioning the company to advance therapeutic options for patients suffering from cognitive disorders.
ExeVir Bio
Series A in 2020
ExeVir Bio BV is a Belgian biotechnology company founded in 2020 and headquartered in Zwijnaarde. The company specializes in developing single-domain antibody-based therapies aimed at preventing viral infections. Utilizing a llama-derived antibody technology platform, ExeVir Bio focuses on creating robust antiviral treatments, particularly targeting coronaviruses. One of its key products, VHH72-FC, binds to a conserved region of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which is crucial for the virus's entry into human cells. The company has established a rapid response platform for antivirals, allowing for a quick adaptation to emerging health threats through a streamlined process for generating drug candidates. Their protein-based therapeutics are designed to be stable, cost-effective, and accessible on a global scale, addressing significant public health challenges posed by viral infections.
EYSZ is a digital health software company based in Piedmont, California, founded in 2018. It specializes in detection algorithms that utilize oculometric and facial biometric data to reliably detect seizures and assist in the diagnosis and management of brain disorders, including epilepsy, ADHD, and depression. By employing machine learning techniques, EYSZ's software not only detects seizures but also predicts their occurrence. The platform is designed to interface and integrate with various eye-tracking systems, such as smart glasses, and therapeutic devices like neuromodulation tools, thereby enhancing the ability of clinicians to monitor and manage the neurological health of their patients effectively.
Engage Therapeutics
Acquisition in 2020
Engage Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Summit, New Jersey, focused on developing innovative therapies for individuals experiencing uncontrolled epileptic seizures. Its lead investigational product, Staccato alprazolam, is a small, handheld drug-device combination designed for the rapid cessation of active and acute seizures. Utilizing an FDA-approved delivery system, the Staccato device administers alprazolam, an established benzodiazepine, in a single inhalation. The product has shown promise in a Phase 2a proof of concept study, which indicated potential reductions in seizures within a photosensitivity model. Engage Therapeutics is advancing Staccato alprazolam through clinical development, employing a 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway to facilitate its market entry.
Ra Pharmaceuticals
Acquisition in 2019
Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing therapeutics for diseases linked to the excessive activation of the complement system. Utilizing a peptide chemistry platform, the company produces synthetic macrocyclic peptides that offer the specificity and diversity of antibodies alongside the pharmacological advantages of small molecules. Its lead product candidate, Zilucoplan, is an injectable treatment that has completed Phase II clinical trials for generalized myasthenia gravis and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, as well as a Phase Ib trial for patients with renal impairment. In addition to Zilucoplan, Ra Pharmaceuticals is advancing pre-clinical programs targeting Factor D inhibition for C3 glomerulonephritis and dense deposit disease, among other conditions. The company has also established a collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc. to explore orally available cyclic peptides for cardiovascular targets. Founded in 2008, Ra Pharmaceuticals operates as a subsidiary of UCB SA.
MyHealthTeam
Series B in 2019
MyHealthTeams, Inc., established in 2011 and headquartered in San Francisco, develops and operates online social networking platforms for individuals living with or caring for those with chronic health conditions. The company's platforms, including MyAutismTeam, MyBCTeam, and others, connect users with similar conditions, enabling them to share experiences, seek advice, and access medically-approved content. MyHealthTeams also conducts research to inform clinical trial design and offers patient education programs.
Locanabio
Series A in 2019
Locanabio, Inc., based in San Diego, California, is a biotechnology company specializing in RNA-targeted gene therapies. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on developing treatments for severe neurodegenerative, neuromuscular, and retinal diseases. Locanabio's platform is designed to modify disease-causing RNA, offering therapeutic candidates distinct from traditional DNA-targeted approaches. The company aims to address a spectrum of underserved diseases, including those affecting the nervous system, muscles, and eyes.
Rinri Therapeutics
Seed Round in 2019
Rinri Therapeutics Limited is a biotechnology company based in Sheffield, United Kingdom, focused on developing regenerative stem cell-based therapies aimed at treating hearing loss. Founded in 2018, the company's innovative technology targets sensorineural hearing loss by replacing damaged or dead sensory cells in the inner ear, allowing for the potential restoration of hearing in affected patients. Through its advancements in cell therapy, Rinri Therapeutics seeks to provide effective solutions for individuals suffering from hearing impairments.
Aetion, Inc. is a healthcare analytics company that specializes in real-world evidence (RWE) and outcomes-based analytics solutions. Founded in 2012 and based in New York City, Aetion develops the Aetion Evidence Platform, which leverages everyday clinical and financial interactions within the healthcare system to generate critical insights about the effectiveness and value of medical treatments. This platform serves a diverse clientele, including life sciences companies, payers, providers, medical device manufacturers, and academic institutions, allowing them to analyze data from various sources such as claims, electronic health records, registries, and clinical trials. Aetion’s patented rapid-cycle analytics technology facilitates real-time collaboration among stakeholders, enabling them to make informed decisions and optimize patient care. The company has formed strategic partnerships with leading organizations, including McKesson, to enhance its offerings and expand its reach in the healthcare sector.
Ceribell, Inc. is a medical technology company based in Mountain View, California, that specializes in the design and manufacture of devices for acquiring and interpreting electroencephalography (EEG) data. Founded in 2014, Ceribell focuses on making EEG technology more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective, particularly in acute care settings. The company's flagship product, the Ceribell EEG System, includes a portable EEG headband and a compact recorder that provide clinical-quality EEG results without the need for a trained EEG technologist. This system can be set up by healthcare providers in just six minutes, facilitating quicker clinical decision-making. An innovative feature of the Ceribell System is its Brain Stethoscope function, which translates brainwave patterns into sound to aid in the detection of seizures, including non-convulsive seizures. This capability enables earlier diagnosis and targeted treatment, potentially reducing mortality, length of hospital stays, and the risk of complications for patients with serious neurological conditions.
StrideBio
Series A in 2018
StrideBio, Inc. is a gene therapy company based in Durham, North Carolina, focused on developing innovative genetic medicines for rare diseases. Founded in 2015, the company utilizes a proprietary structure-inspired adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector engineering platform to create unique and differentiated vectors. These vectors are designed to improve upon naturally occurring AAV serotypes, addressing limitations of first-generation gene therapies. StrideBio's technologies facilitate gene addition, silencing, and editing, providing potential curative options for patients with severe medical conditions. By combining structural insights with accelerated evolution, StrideBio aims to produce novel AAV capsids capable of evading neutralizing antibodies, ultimately enhancing treatment outcomes for those affected by rare diseases.
Element Genomics
Acquisition in 2018
Element Genomics is a discovery stage biotechnology company, focused on finding breakthrough cures for severe human disease through the use of functional genomics and manipulation of the epigenome. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Durham, North Carolina.
Beryllium Discovery
Acquisition in 2017
Beryllium Discovery is a specialized drug discovery contract research organization (CRO) based in Bedford, Massachusetts, and operates as a subsidiary of UCB Pharma Ltd. Established in 2009, the company focuses on providing research services and fostering collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies, innovative biotechnology firms, and academic institutions. Beryllium Discovery utilizes its innovative drug discovery platform to offer expertise in areas such as protein engineering, expression and purification, functional biology, and protein structure. By addressing the scientific and business challenges inherent in drug discovery, Beryllium Discovery aims to facilitate the development of unique therapeutic drugs that can lead to significant advancements in healthcare outcomes.
Clementia Pharmaceuticals
Venture Round in 2015
Clementia Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Montreal, Canada, focused on developing innovative treatments for patients with ultra-rare bone disorders and other diseases. Founded in 2010, the company specializes in creating disease-modifying therapies to address high unmet medical needs. Its lead product candidate, palovarotene, is an oral small molecule that has demonstrated significant efficacy in preventing abnormal bone formation and fibrosis in various tissues. Currently, palovarotene is undergoing evaluation in the Phase III MOVE trial for conditions such as fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive and multiple osteochondromas, as well as dry eye disease. Clementia Pharmaceuticals aims to improve the lives of patients suffering from debilitating conditions through its advanced therapeutic solutions.
Dermira, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing and commercializing therapies for dermatologic diseases, primarily targeting the U.S. market. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Dermira offers QBREXZA, a topical treatment for primary axillary hyperhidrosis in patients aged nine and older. The company is also advancing its pipeline with lebrikizumab, a monoclonal antibody currently in Phase IIb trials for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, alongside several other early-stage research initiatives in dermatology. Dermira has established strategic partnerships for the development and commercialization of its products, including agreements with Maruho Co., Ltd., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Genentech, Inc., and UCB Pharma S.A. Notably, Dermira was previously known as Skintelligence, Inc. before rebranding in September 2011. As of early 2020, Dermira operates as a subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company.
Lectus Therapeutics
Acquisition in 2011
Lectus Therapeutics Limited is a UK-based pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing first-in-class therapeutics targeting ion channels. Utilising proprietary proteomics technology, Lectus aims to create innovative treatments focused on pain management and urinary bladder disorders.
Synosia Therapeutics
Series C in 2010
Synosia Therapeutics is a privately-owned company focused on developing and commercializing products aimed at addressing unmet medical needs in psychiatry and neurology. The company has a pipeline that includes six clinical-stage compounds, which have been acquired through strategic partnerships with major pharmaceutical firms such as Novartis, Roche, and Syngenta. Among these compounds, two are already marketed drugs that are being evaluated for new therapeutic indications to expand their application in treating neurological and psychiatric conditions, including anxiety and Parkinson's disease. In addition to its drug development efforts, Synosia Therapeutics also offers clinical development programs and research services.
Schwarz Pharma AG
Acquisition in 2006
Schwarz Pharma brings three exciting, approved and late stage new compounds, complementary therapeutic and geographic focus, strong talent and cultural fit.
Intranasal Therapeutics
Acquisition in 2006
Ikano Therapeutics a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on developing nasal spray drug products.
Celltech Therapeutics
Acquisition in 2004
Celltex is a biotechnology company that is leading the future of regenerative medicine in United States.