Versant Ventures

Versant Ventures is a prominent healthcare investment firm headquartered in California, specializing in medical devices, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. Established in 1999, the firm manages approximately $2.3 billion and invests across all stages of company development, with a strong focus on discovering and developing innovative therapeutics. Versant has a global presence with offices in Canada, the U.S., and Europe, and its team comprises professionals with extensive investment, operational, and scientific expertise, allowing for a proactive approach to building companies. Since its inception, Versant has successfully facilitated the growth of over 65 companies, leading to numerous acquisitions and public offerings.

Mehmet Badur

Principal

Harold Calvert

Co-Founder

Sam Colella

Managing Partner

Rich Van Doren

CFO

Lawrence Klein

Partner

William Link

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Donald Milder

Co-Founder & Managing Director

Shane Mulligan

Principal

Kirk Nielsen

Managing Director

Nikita Sharma

Principal

Thomas Woiwode

Managing Director

Rami Hannoush Ph.D

Venture Partner

Past deals in Switzerland

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.

Monte Rosa Therapeutics

Series C in 2021
Monte Rosa Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland, that specializes in developing innovative cancer therapeutics through the modulation of protein degradation pathways. The company focuses on molecular glue degraders (MGDs), a class of small molecule drugs that utilize the body's natural mechanisms for protein degradation to selectively target and degrade proteins relevant to cancer treatment. Monte Rosa employs its QuEEN platform, which integrates artificial intelligence and proprietary experimental tools, to identify and develop target proteins for degradation. With a library of over 50,000 MGD molecules, its leading product candidate, MRT-2359, specifically targets the translation termination factor protein GSPT1, showing potential for treating MYC-driven tumors. The company is committed to advancing its pipeline of novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in oncology.

VectivBio

Venture Round in 2020
VectivBio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company bringing transformational medicines to patients with serious rare diseases. They are committed to pursuing rare diseases with well-defined biology that can be targeted with best-in-disease therapies that have the potential to meaningfully transform and improve the lives of patients and their families, not just provide an incremental improvement or benefit over the standard-of-care. It was founded as a spinout from Therachon, a biotechnology company acquired by Pfizer for its program in achondroplasia. VectivBio was incorporated in 2019 and is based in Basel, Switzerland.

Monte Rosa Therapeutics

Series B in 2020
Monte Rosa Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland, that specializes in developing innovative cancer therapeutics through the modulation of protein degradation pathways. The company focuses on molecular glue degraders (MGDs), a class of small molecule drugs that utilize the body's natural mechanisms for protein degradation to selectively target and degrade proteins relevant to cancer treatment. Monte Rosa employs its QuEEN platform, which integrates artificial intelligence and proprietary experimental tools, to identify and develop target proteins for degradation. With a library of over 50,000 MGD molecules, its leading product candidate, MRT-2359, specifically targets the translation termination factor protein GSPT1, showing potential for treating MYC-driven tumors. The company is committed to advancing its pipeline of novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in oncology.

Matterhorn Biosciences

Venture Round in 2020
Matterhorn is a biotechnology company focusing on the discovery of cellular therapies targeting the MR1 molecule. MR1 presents cancer-specific metabolites on the surface of cancer cells that are recognized and killed by T cells bearing a MR1-specific T cell receptor.

Bright Peak Therapeutics

Series A in 2020
Bright Peak Therapeutics is a biotechnology company with a platform capable of chemically synthesizing and optimizing natural proteins such as cytokines.

Monte Rosa Therapeutics

Series A in 2020
Monte Rosa Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland, that specializes in developing innovative cancer therapeutics through the modulation of protein degradation pathways. The company focuses on molecular glue degraders (MGDs), a class of small molecule drugs that utilize the body's natural mechanisms for protein degradation to selectively target and degrade proteins relevant to cancer treatment. Monte Rosa employs its QuEEN platform, which integrates artificial intelligence and proprietary experimental tools, to identify and develop target proteins for degradation. With a library of over 50,000 MGD molecules, its leading product candidate, MRT-2359, specifically targets the translation termination factor protein GSPT1, showing potential for treating MYC-driven tumors. The company is committed to advancing its pipeline of novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in oncology.

VectivBio

Series A in 2020
VectivBio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company bringing transformational medicines to patients with serious rare diseases. They are committed to pursuing rare diseases with well-defined biology that can be targeted with best-in-disease therapies that have the potential to meaningfully transform and improve the lives of patients and their families, not just provide an incremental improvement or benefit over the standard-of-care. It was founded as a spinout from Therachon, a biotechnology company acquired by Pfizer for its program in achondroplasia. VectivBio was incorporated in 2019 and is based in Basel, Switzerland.

Anokion

Series B in 2019
Anokion SA is a biotechnology company based in Ecublens, Switzerland, specializing in antigen-specific immune tolerance solutions. Originally a spin-off from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Anokion focuses on reducing the immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins and addressing autoimmune and allergic diseases. Its platform technology for antigen-specific immune tolerance is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of proteins across various clinical indications, highlighting the company's commitment to innovative therapeutic approaches.

Therachon

Series B in 2018
Therachon is a global biotechnology company focused on developing medicines for rare, genetic diseases that currently have no available treatments. The company’s lead pipeline candidate, TA-46, is a novel protein therapy in development for achondroplasia, the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. Therachon is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, with research labs in Nice, France.

Nouscom

Series B in 2017
Nouscom are a well established team that has worked together for many years in previous successful enterprises, including IRBM/Merck and Okairos, and are veterans in the field of oncolytic and genetic vaccines. The company is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and has operations in Rome, Italy. The NousCom team is lead by experienced enterpreneurs that worked together for many years in previous successful enterprises, such as Okairos, under the leadership of Prof. Riccardo Cortese, who conceived the ideas behind those companies.

Therachon

Series A in 2017
Therachon is a global biotechnology company focused on developing medicines for rare, genetic diseases that currently have no available treatments. The company’s lead pipeline candidate, TA-46, is a novel protein therapy in development for achondroplasia, the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. Therachon is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, with research labs in Nice, France.

Nouscom

Series A in 2016
Nouscom are a well established team that has worked together for many years in previous successful enterprises, including IRBM/Merck and Okairos, and are veterans in the field of oncolytic and genetic vaccines. The company is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and has operations in Rome, Italy. The NousCom team is lead by experienced enterpreneurs that worked together for many years in previous successful enterprises, such as Okairos, under the leadership of Prof. Riccardo Cortese, who conceived the ideas behind those companies.

Therachon

Series A in 2015
Therachon is a global biotechnology company focused on developing medicines for rare, genetic diseases that currently have no available treatments. The company’s lead pipeline candidate, TA-46, is a novel protein therapy in development for achondroplasia, the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. Therachon is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, with research labs in Nice, France.

PIQUR Therapeutics

Series A in 2015
PIQUR Therapeutics is a Swiss pharmaceutical company focusing on the discovery and development of innovative anti-cancer drugs based on lipid kinase (PI3K) and mTOR inhibition. PIQUR’s pipeline originates from one of the most promising research areas in oncology. Both PI3K and mTOR are clinically validated drug targets in oncology. PIQUR has a secured patent scope protecting many chemical compounds. PIQUR Therapeutics AG develops breakthrough targeted oncology and dermatology medicines for the treatment of cancers and genetic diseases. The company lead compound bimiralisib focuses on the dual inhibition of the PI3K/mTOR pathway. Both PI3K and mTOR are clinically validated drug targets in oncology and dermato-oncology. PIQUR Therapeutics was founded in 2011 and is based in Basel, Switzerland.

CRISPR Therapeutics

Series B in 2015
CRISPR Therapeutics AG is a gene editing company dedicated to developing transformative gene-based medicines for serious human diseases using its proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This revolutionary platform allows for precise modifications to genomic DNA, enabling the company to target a variety of disease areas, including hemoglobinopathies, oncology, regenerative medicine, and rare diseases. The lead product candidate, CTX001, is an ex vivo CRISPR gene-edited therapy aimed at treating transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and severe sickle cell disease by engineering patients' hematopoietic stem cells to produce elevated levels of fetal hemoglobin. Additionally, CRISPR Therapeutics is advancing other therapies, including CTX110, an allogeneic CAR-T therapy for certain malignancies, and additional programs targeting conditions such as multiple myeloma, solid tumors, diabetes, and various genetic disorders. The company collaborates with strategic partners such as Bayer Healthcare, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and ViaCyte, and is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.

CRISPR Therapeutics

Series A in 2015
CRISPR Therapeutics AG is a gene editing company dedicated to developing transformative gene-based medicines for serious human diseases using its proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This revolutionary platform allows for precise modifications to genomic DNA, enabling the company to target a variety of disease areas, including hemoglobinopathies, oncology, regenerative medicine, and rare diseases. The lead product candidate, CTX001, is an ex vivo CRISPR gene-edited therapy aimed at treating transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and severe sickle cell disease by engineering patients' hematopoietic stem cells to produce elevated levels of fetal hemoglobin. Additionally, CRISPR Therapeutics is advancing other therapies, including CTX110, an allogeneic CAR-T therapy for certain malignancies, and additional programs targeting conditions such as multiple myeloma, solid tumors, diabetes, and various genetic disorders. The company collaborates with strategic partners such as Bayer Healthcare, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and ViaCyte, and is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.

Anokion

Series A in 2014
Anokion SA is a biotechnology company based in Ecublens, Switzerland, specializing in antigen-specific immune tolerance solutions. Originally a spin-off from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Anokion focuses on reducing the immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins and addressing autoimmune and allergic diseases. Its platform technology for antigen-specific immune tolerance is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of proteins across various clinical indications, highlighting the company's commitment to innovative therapeutic approaches.

CRISPR Therapeutics

Series A in 2014
CRISPR Therapeutics AG is a gene editing company dedicated to developing transformative gene-based medicines for serious human diseases using its proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This revolutionary platform allows for precise modifications to genomic DNA, enabling the company to target a variety of disease areas, including hemoglobinopathies, oncology, regenerative medicine, and rare diseases. The lead product candidate, CTX001, is an ex vivo CRISPR gene-edited therapy aimed at treating transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and severe sickle cell disease by engineering patients' hematopoietic stem cells to produce elevated levels of fetal hemoglobin. Additionally, CRISPR Therapeutics is advancing other therapies, including CTX110, an allogeneic CAR-T therapy for certain malignancies, and additional programs targeting conditions such as multiple myeloma, solid tumors, diabetes, and various genetic disorders. The company collaborates with strategic partners such as Bayer Healthcare, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and ViaCyte, and is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.

PIQUR Therapeutics

Series A in 2014
PIQUR Therapeutics is a Swiss pharmaceutical company focusing on the discovery and development of innovative anti-cancer drugs based on lipid kinase (PI3K) and mTOR inhibition. PIQUR’s pipeline originates from one of the most promising research areas in oncology. Both PI3K and mTOR are clinically validated drug targets in oncology. PIQUR has a secured patent scope protecting many chemical compounds. PIQUR Therapeutics AG develops breakthrough targeted oncology and dermatology medicines for the treatment of cancers and genetic diseases. The company lead compound bimiralisib focuses on the dual inhibition of the PI3K/mTOR pathway. Both PI3K and mTOR are clinically validated drug targets in oncology and dermato-oncology. PIQUR Therapeutics was founded in 2011 and is based in Basel, Switzerland.

Autonomic Technologies

Series C in 2011
Autonomic Technologies, Inc. is a medical device company that focuses on the development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of autonomic disorders, particularly severe headache. It develops ATI Neurostimulation System, a device that delivers low-level energy directly to the area of the SPG for the treatment of chronic cluster headache. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Mountain View, California with additional offices in Germany and Switzerland.

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.

Okairos

Series B in 2010
Okairos AG, a bio-pharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery and development of genetic T-cell vaccines, including hepatitis C virus. The company also provides health and allied services. It has operations in Rome and Naples, Italy. The company is based in Basel, Switzerland. Okairos AG was former subsidiary of Istituto Di Ricerche Di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti Spa.

Autonomic Technologies

Series B in 2009
Autonomic Technologies, Inc. is a medical device company that focuses on the development and commercialization of therapies for the treatment of autonomic disorders, particularly severe headache. It develops ATI Neurostimulation System, a device that delivers low-level energy directly to the area of the SPG for the treatment of chronic cluster headache. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Mountain View, California with additional offices in Germany and Switzerland.

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.

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.
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