Washington Research Foundation

The Washington Research Foundation, established in 1981 and located in Seattle, is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing technology in the life sciences, information technology, and physical sciences. The foundation supports innovative research and early-stage entrepreneurs, contributing to the growth of Washington's technology economy. Its seed fund branch, WRF Capital, plays a crucial role in managing intellectual property and providing business support to local companies and institutions. As one of the leading venture capitalists in the Northwest, the foundation reinvests its financial returns into research and initiatives that foster new company spinouts. Through its efforts, the Washington Research Foundation aims to cultivate a vibrant research and enterprise community within the region.

William J. Canastaro

Managing Director

Past deals in Washington

Pacific Northwest Research Institute

Grant in 2023
Pacific Northwest Research Institute is a research institute for genetics and bioinformatics research.

Monod Bio

Seed Round in 2022
Monod Bio is a life sciences company based in Seattle, Washington, focused on developing innovative biosensors for detecting proteins, toxins, antibodies, and other analytes. Founded in 2021, the company has created a biosensor platform that integrates binding, transduction, and amplification processes in a single step, allowing for the rapid and sensitive detection of a diverse array of target molecules. By leveraging recent advancements in computational protein engineering, Monod Bio has designed highly modular bio-sensing nanoswitches that facilitate cost-effective analytical assays. This technology aims to enhance the capabilities of the healthcare industry in biotechnology and medicine.

SEngine Precision Medicine

Series A in 2022
SEngine Precision Medicine, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that specializes in personalized cancer treatments through innovative technology. Founded in 2015, the company utilizes a proprietary search engine that combines functional genomics with robotic testing of cancer drugs on live patient organoids. This approach allows for the simultaneous testing of over 200 drugs against a patient’s unique tumor organoid, providing insights into the most effective and least toxic treatment options that traditional DNA sequencing may not reveal. By leveraging anonymized test results, SEngine not only empowers patients and oncologists with tailored treatment options but also aids in the development of new cancer-fighting drugs, positioning itself as a leader in the next generation of oncology diagnostics.

Cyrus Biotechnology

Series B in 2021
Cyrus Biotechnology, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that specializes in developing advanced software for protein structure prediction and design. Founded in 2014, it offers several key products, including Rosetta, a tool designed to create biologically active proteins for various medical applications such as treating brain cancer and addressing Celiac Disease. The company also provides Cyrus Bench, an enterprise version of Rosetta that includes a comprehensive suite of bio-molecular computation tools. Additionally, Cyrus Biotechnology offers specialized services like Cyrus CryoEM, which focuses on structure refinement and model building for complex biomolecular structures. Its innovative software solutions cater to pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and startups engaged in discovering therapeutics and developing novel consumer products.

AdaptX

Venture Round in 2020
AdaptX is a healthcare data analytics and AI company that specializes in enhancing clinical and workflow outcomes for hospitals and surgery centers. Founded in Seattle in 2016 as a spin-off from Seattle Children's Hospital, AdaptX provides a platform that enables medical leaders and clinicians to access and analyze clinical data effectively. The platform integrates algorithms with existing electronic data systems, allowing healthcare providers to monitor performance, compare treatment approaches, and define patient cohorts. Through automated analytics, AdaptX helps healthcare service providers improve the quality and safety of care while also reducing costs.

A-Alpha Bio

Seed Round in 2019
A-Alpha Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, established in 2017. The company specializes in synthetic biology, offering a platform known as AlphaSeq, which assists pharmaceutical companies in the development of drugs that interact with multiple targets. A-Alpha Bio provides cell-based tools for high-throughput and quantitative measurements of protein interactions, facilitating target discovery, library screening, and preclinical drug characterization. Its proprietary technology enables the mapping of protein-protein interactions at a large scale, allowing for the identification and quantification of interactions among thousands of protein pairs simultaneously. By delivering detailed maps of these interactions, A-Alpha Bio helps researchers identify potential drug targets and understand disease mechanisms, thereby streamlining the therapeutic discovery process and improving the efficiency of drug development. The company comprises a team of experts in synthetic biology, structural biology, and next-generation sequencing, focused on overcoming challenges in the drug development pipeline.

AdaptX

Venture Round in 2019
AdaptX is a healthcare data analytics and AI company that specializes in enhancing clinical and workflow outcomes for hospitals and surgery centers. Founded in Seattle in 2016 as a spin-off from Seattle Children's Hospital, AdaptX provides a platform that enables medical leaders and clinicians to access and analyze clinical data effectively. The platform integrates algorithms with existing electronic data systems, allowing healthcare providers to monitor performance, compare treatment approaches, and define patient cohorts. Through automated analytics, AdaptX helps healthcare service providers improve the quality and safety of care while also reducing costs.

Phase Genomics

Seed Round in 2017
Phase Genomics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, founded in 2015. The company specializes in developing innovative technology for genome assembly and metagenome deconvolution, focusing on its ProxiMeta Hi-C platform. This platform empowers researchers in various fields, including agriculture, human health, and industrial biology, by enabling the cultivation-independent assembly of bacterial genomes. By exploiting the structure of DNA, Phase Genomics aims to provide scientists with the most complete and accurate genomes and metagenomes possible, facilitating transformative discoveries and advancements in their respective areas of study.

Phytelligence

Series B in 2017
Phytelligence, Inc. is an agricultural biotechnology company that specializes in growing and providing high-quality plants and innovative solutions for growers, nurseries, and horticultural experts. Founded in 2012 and based in Pullman, Washington, the company offers a range of tissue-cultured plantlets, including varieties of pear, apple, cherry, grape, and strawberry, all free from diseases, viruses, and pests. Phytelligence also provides custom genetic analysis services to evaluate the genetic similarities and differences among closely related plant samples. Its advanced propagation and quality control processes ensure that clients receive genetically confirmed plants that are healthy and ready for planting, ultimately enhancing productivity and quality in crop production.

Arzeda

Series A in 2017
Arzeda Corporation is a synthetic biology company based in Seattle, Washington, that specializes in the development and manufacture of proteins and enzymes for various applications, including pharmaceuticals, polymers, and industrial chemicals. Founded in 2008, Arzeda utilizes advanced technology that combines physics-based protein design with artificial intelligence algorithms to create and validate new designer proteins and enzymes. The company aims to provide innovative solutions that offer competitive performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability, addressing the needs of clients in diverse industries.

HyperSciences

Seed Round in 2017
HyperSciences, Inc. develops advanced drilling solutions for various applications, including energy, tunneling, transportation, and aerospace. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Spokane, Washington, with an additional office in Austin, Texas, the company offers innovative technologies such as HyperDrill, which enhances the rate of penetration in oil, gas, and geothermal drilling by up to ten times compared to conventional methods. HyperSciences also provides a geothermal solution that utilizes HyperDrill to access deep geothermal energy deposits and the HyperBreaker, a rock-breaking solution designed for construction, mining, and tunneling. By employing low-cost chemical energy to propel projectiles to hypersonic speeds, the company's technology enables faster and deeper penetration into hard rock, effectively addressing challenges in drilling and tunneling operations.

ApoGen Biotechnologies

Series A in 2016
ApoGen Biotechnologies, Inc., founded in 2014 and located in Seattle, Washington, is dedicated to developing innovative therapeutics aimed at addressing the challenges of cancer treatment, particularly the issue of drug resistance. The company focuses on targeting the key drivers of genomic mutations in cancer cells, which are central to tumor evolution and the development of resistance to existing therapies. By addressing the chronic mutations in cancer genomes, ApoGen aims to improve treatment efficacy, reduce cancer recurrence and metastasis, and enhance overall patient survival. The company's approach represents a shift from traditional therapies, providing new hope in the ongoing battle against cancer.

Nexgenia

Venture Round in 2016
Nexgenia, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, established in 2011. The company specializes in the development and manufacture of proprietary stimuli-responsive polymers and polymer-containing magnetic nanoparticles. These innovative materials are designed to change their state in response to minor environmental changes such as temperature, pH, and salt concentration. This unique characteristic allows Nexgenia's polymers to be combined with various chemicals and biological agents, enabling efficient molecular and cellular separations. As a result, the company's products enhance the speed, efficiency, and sensitivity of diagnostic tests and immunoassays, providing quicker results for medical professionals.

AnswerDash

Seed Round in 2015
AnswerDash, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that offers a cloud-based Q&A platform designed to provide contextual answers to customers on websites, web applications, and mobile experiences. Founded in 2012 and originally known as Qazzow, Inc., the company allows businesses to integrate self-service features that enable customers to obtain answers through a point-and-click interface, facilitating easy access to information without cluttering web pages. By predicting user questions based on the content of the page, AnswerDash helps reduce support costs and enhances customer engagement. The platform can also integrate with live chat services to offer personalized assistance. As of June 2020, AnswerDash operates as a subsidiary of CloudEngage, Inc.

Faraday Pharmaceuticals

Series A in 2015
Faraday Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Seattle, Washington, that focuses on developing innovative therapies to treat ischemia-reperfusion injury, particularly following ST elevation myocardial infarction. Founded in 2014, the company has in-licensed proprietary liquid formulations of reduced nonmetal gaseous elements, which were developed in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Roth at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Faraday's therapeutics aim to utilize specific reduced forms of elements to enhance patient outcomes, providing medical practitioners with effective treatment options for ischemia-reperfusion injury and other critical care conditions.

CSATS

Series A in 2015
C-SATS provides a personalized surgical skills assessment platform using a unique combination of data analytics, artificial intelligence. It specializes in the fields of robotic surgery, surgical skills, surgical insights, laparoscopic surgery, and minimally invasive surgery. The company was founded in 2014 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Faraday Pharmaceuticals

Series A in 2014
Faraday Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Seattle, Washington, that focuses on developing innovative therapies to treat ischemia-reperfusion injury, particularly following ST elevation myocardial infarction. Founded in 2014, the company has in-licensed proprietary liquid formulations of reduced nonmetal gaseous elements, which were developed in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Roth at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Faraday's therapeutics aim to utilize specific reduced forms of elements to enhance patient outcomes, providing medical practitioners with effective treatment options for ischemia-reperfusion injury and other critical care conditions.

FlexMinder

Series A in 2014
FlexMinder, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that develops enterprise software solutions aimed at private health exchanges, health carriers, and third-party administrators (TPAs). Founded in 2011, FlexMinder focuses on automating the healthcare reimbursement process, enhancing the management of medical spending for flexible spending accounts. The company aggregates healthcare information from various sources to streamline claims submission, significantly reducing manual processing time and costs for TPAs. By providing online tools for managing the reimbursement process, FlexMinder aims to improve the user experience for consumers utilizing their flexible spending arrangements. In 2013, the company secured $1.4 million in Series AA financing to support its growth initiatives and was selected for the TechStars incubator program. As of January 2017, FlexMinder operates as a subsidiary of Jelleyvision Lab Inc.

Skytap

Series C in 2014
Skytap, Inc. specializes in providing cloud-based development and testing environments aimed at migrating and modernizing enterprise applications globally. The company's primary offering, Skytap Cloud, allows for self-service access to production-like environments, facilitating more frequent code testing for development and testing teams. Skytap’s platform supports organizations in transitioning to modern software delivery methods by enabling the rapid migration of traditional workloads to the cloud and fostering the adoption of agile and DevOps practices. This approach helps businesses enhance their application development efficiency and integrate new cloud architectures. Additionally, Skytap provides a range of services including cloud migration, application modernization, training, and strategic consulting. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Skytap also maintains locations in Toronto, Canada, and London, United Kingdom.

AnswerDash

Series A in 2013
AnswerDash, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that offers a cloud-based Q&A platform designed to provide contextual answers to customers on websites, web applications, and mobile experiences. Founded in 2012 and originally known as Qazzow, Inc., the company allows businesses to integrate self-service features that enable customers to obtain answers through a point-and-click interface, facilitating easy access to information without cluttering web pages. By predicting user questions based on the content of the page, AnswerDash helps reduce support costs and enhances customer engagement. The platform can also integrate with live chat services to offer personalized assistance. As of June 2020, AnswerDash operates as a subsidiary of CloudEngage, Inc.

FlexMinder

Series A in 2013
FlexMinder, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that develops enterprise software solutions aimed at private health exchanges, health carriers, and third-party administrators (TPAs). Founded in 2011, FlexMinder focuses on automating the healthcare reimbursement process, enhancing the management of medical spending for flexible spending accounts. The company aggregates healthcare information from various sources to streamline claims submission, significantly reducing manual processing time and costs for TPAs. By providing online tools for managing the reimbursement process, FlexMinder aims to improve the user experience for consumers utilizing their flexible spending arrangements. In 2013, the company secured $1.4 million in Series AA financing to support its growth initiatives and was selected for the TechStars incubator program. As of January 2017, FlexMinder operates as a subsidiary of Jelleyvision Lab Inc.

Resolve Therapeutics

Series B in 2012
Resolve Therapeutics, LLC is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Seattle, Washington, focused on developing innovative therapies for autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome. Established in 2010, the company is advancing its lead biologic compounds, including RSLV-132, a mono-specific nuclease Fc-fusion protein designed to target and eliminate immune complexes, thereby reducing kidney damage and interferon activation. Additionally, Resolve Therapeutics is progressing RSLV-133, a bi-specific Fc-nuclease fusion protein that integrates dual nuclease activities into a single therapeutic molecule. The company's research is rooted in significant discoveries made by Dr. Keith Elkon and Dr. Jeff Ledbetter at the University of Washington School of Medicine, with a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for patients affected by these challenging conditions.

Alder Biopharmaceuticals

Series D in 2012
Alder BioPharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing therapeutic antibodies to improve treatment for migraine patients in the United States, Australia, and Ireland. The company's lead candidate, eptinezumab, is a monoclonal antibody targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide, currently in late-stage clinical development for migraine prevention. Alder is also developing ALD1910, a preclinical monoclonal antibody aimed at inhibiting pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 for similar purposes, and Clazakizumab, which targets the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 and has completed two Phase 2b trials. In addition to its product development efforts, Alder engages in strategic collaborations, notably with CSL Limited for advancing clazakizumab as a treatment for solid organ transplant rejection. Incorporated in 2002 and headquartered in Bothell, Washington, Alder operates primarily in the United States, where it generates most of its revenue.

Oncofactor

Series A in 2011
Oncofactor is a Seattle, Washington-based developer of cancer therapeutics that disrupt signaling pathways between tumors and the immune system.

Skytap

Series B in 2009
Skytap, Inc. specializes in providing cloud-based development and testing environments aimed at migrating and modernizing enterprise applications globally. The company's primary offering, Skytap Cloud, allows for self-service access to production-like environments, facilitating more frequent code testing for development and testing teams. Skytap’s platform supports organizations in transitioning to modern software delivery methods by enabling the rapid migration of traditional workloads to the cloud and fostering the adoption of agile and DevOps practices. This approach helps businesses enhance their application development efficiency and integrate new cloud architectures. Additionally, Skytap provides a range of services including cloud migration, application modernization, training, and strategic consulting. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Skytap also maintains locations in Toronto, Canada, and London, United Kingdom.

Arzeda

Seed Round in 2009
Arzeda Corporation is a synthetic biology company based in Seattle, Washington, that specializes in the development and manufacture of proteins and enzymes for various applications, including pharmaceuticals, polymers, and industrial chemicals. Founded in 2008, Arzeda utilizes advanced technology that combines physics-based protein design with artificial intelligence algorithms to create and validate new designer proteins and enzymes. The company aims to provide innovative solutions that offer competitive performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability, addressing the needs of clients in diverse industries.

Accelerator Corp.

Series C in 2007
Accelerator Corporation, founded in 2003 and based in Seattle, Washington, is a venture capital firm that specializes in early-stage investments in biotechnology companies. The firm primarily invests up to $2 million in emerging growth and start-up ventures, focusing on identifying, evaluating, financing, and managing groundbreaking life sciences opportunities. Accelerator does not participate in subsequent financing rounds and typically maintains its investments for 12 to 24 months. The firm has developed a robust pipeline of deal flow through partnerships with top-tier investors and research institutions, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and expertise in scientific and technical support. Over the past five years, Accelerator has invested in nine companies, three of which successfully raised follow-on financing exceeding $114 million. In total, Accelerator's portfolio companies have garnered over $143.5 million in initial and follow-on funding, supported by an additional commitment of $22.5 million from investors to further pursue innovative biotechnology opportunities. Through its unique resources and collaborations, Accelerator is positioned to streamline the development and commercialization of novel technologies in the biotechnology sector.

Skytap

Series A in 2007
Skytap, Inc. specializes in providing cloud-based development and testing environments aimed at migrating and modernizing enterprise applications globally. The company's primary offering, Skytap Cloud, allows for self-service access to production-like environments, facilitating more frequent code testing for development and testing teams. Skytap’s platform supports organizations in transitioning to modern software delivery methods by enabling the rapid migration of traditional workloads to the cloud and fostering the adoption of agile and DevOps practices. This approach helps businesses enhance their application development efficiency and integrate new cloud architectures. Additionally, Skytap provides a range of services including cloud migration, application modernization, training, and strategic consulting. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Skytap also maintains locations in Toronto, Canada, and London, United Kingdom.

HaloSource

Venture Round in 2007
HaloSource Corporation is a clean water technology company that focuses on developing and manufacturing innovative drinking water treatment solutions for global markets. Established in 2017 and headquartered in Bothell, Washington, the company leverages proprietary polymer chemistries to create a range of products aimed at improving water quality. Its offerings include gravity-based devices like the HaloPure disinfecting pitchers and associated cartridges, as well as pressurized devices such as bacteriostatic water cartridges and ceramic candle inserts. The HaloPure technology is recognized for its high international certifications, including registration with the US EPA, and serves over 10 million consumers worldwide. Additionally, HaloSource is expanding its product line to include lead removal media and is actively engaged in partnerships with trusted brands to further enhance its market presence. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities in the residential water treatment sector, supported by a robust pipeline of new products and strong regulatory compliance.

Omeros

Series E in 2007
Omeros Corporation is a Seattle-based biopharmaceutical company that focuses on discovering, developing, and commercializing small-molecule and protein therapeutics targeting inflammation, complement-mediated diseases, and disorders of the central nervous system. The company offers OMIDRIA, a product used during cataract surgery in the United States. Omeros is advancing several clinical programs, including narsoplimab, which is in Phase III trials for conditions such as hematopoietic stem-cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy and immunoglobulin A nephropathy, as well as Phase II trials for lupus nephritis. Other key programs include OMS405, targeting opioid and nicotine addiction, and OMS527, aimed at treating addiction and movement disorders. The company's preclinical pipeline includes compounds addressing various conditions, such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and other alternative pathway disorders. Founded in 1994, Omeros is dedicated to addressing both large-market and orphan indications through innovative therapeutic approaches.

Alder Biopharmaceuticals

Series B in 2006
Alder BioPharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing therapeutic antibodies to improve treatment for migraine patients in the United States, Australia, and Ireland. The company's lead candidate, eptinezumab, is a monoclonal antibody targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide, currently in late-stage clinical development for migraine prevention. Alder is also developing ALD1910, a preclinical monoclonal antibody aimed at inhibiting pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 for similar purposes, and Clazakizumab, which targets the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 and has completed two Phase 2b trials. In addition to its product development efforts, Alder engages in strategic collaborations, notably with CSL Limited for advancing clazakizumab as a treatment for solid organ transplant rejection. Incorporated in 2002 and headquartered in Bothell, Washington, Alder operates primarily in the United States, where it generates most of its revenue.

Alder Biopharmaceuticals

Series A in 2005
Alder BioPharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing therapeutic antibodies to improve treatment for migraine patients in the United States, Australia, and Ireland. The company's lead candidate, eptinezumab, is a monoclonal antibody targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide, currently in late-stage clinical development for migraine prevention. Alder is also developing ALD1910, a preclinical monoclonal antibody aimed at inhibiting pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 for similar purposes, and Clazakizumab, which targets the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 and has completed two Phase 2b trials. In addition to its product development efforts, Alder engages in strategic collaborations, notably with CSL Limited for advancing clazakizumab as a treatment for solid organ transplant rejection. Incorporated in 2002 and headquartered in Bothell, Washington, Alder operates primarily in the United States, where it generates most of its revenue.

Vanson HaloSource

Series B in 2005
In the spring of 2002, Vanson, Inc. and HaloSource Corp. merged to form Vanson HaloSource, Inc. in order to expand opportunities for product commercialization by capitalizing on manufacturing facilities, distribution channels and intellectual property. Vanson’s cGMP certified manufacturing facility, located in Western Washington accommodates the production of most of Vanson HaloSource's products. The management team and a talented pool of chemists, biochemists and microbiologists are working together to create and expand the Company’s broad spectrum of applications. Today the Company holds dozens of patents and patents pending on a broad range of products that are distributed to the pool and spa, wastewater treatment, and biomedical industries. The Company has a substantial pipeline of proprietary new products in research and development, and a growing number of strategic alliances with prestigious companies to manufacture and market value-added chitin/chitosan-based and antimicrobial products.
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