Janus Henderson Investors

Janus Henderson Investors is a global asset management firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with a history dating back to 1934. The company specializes in delivering investment performance and services to a diverse clientele, including institutional, retail, and high-net-worth clients. It connects these clients with investment professionals who have expertise across a wide range of asset classes, such as equities, fixed income, real estate, and alternative investments. Janus Henderson Investors aims to provide tailored investment solutions that meet the unique needs of its clients while fostering long-term financial growth.

Denny Fish

Portfolio Manager of Global Technology and Innovation and Research Analyst

Vish Sridharan

Research Analyst

Past deals in Pharmaceuticals

Monopar

Post in 2024
Monopar Therapeutics is an emerging biopharmaceutical company focused on developing orphan oncology compounds. Its lead compound, Hu-ATN-658, is a novel monoclonal antibody for the potential treatment of several deadly cancers. Hu-ATN-658 targets the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). Cancer Research UK will be conducting Hu-ATN-658’s early development, including a Phase I clinical trial. In 2014, Chandler D. Robinson, Christopher M. Starr, and Andrew P. Mazar founded the company in Wilmette, Illinois.

Monopar

Post in 2024
Monopar Therapeutics is an emerging biopharmaceutical company focused on developing orphan oncology compounds. Its lead compound, Hu-ATN-658, is a novel monoclonal antibody for the potential treatment of several deadly cancers. Hu-ATN-658 targets the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). Cancer Research UK will be conducting Hu-ATN-658’s early development, including a Phase I clinical trial. In 2014, Chandler D. Robinson, Christopher M. Starr, and Andrew P. Mazar founded the company in Wilmette, Illinois.

Tenax Therapeutics

Post in 2024
Tenax Therapeutics, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the identification, development, and commercialization of products aimed at addressing cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, Tenax focuses on levosimendan, a pharmaceutical product designed to reduce morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery patients at risk for low cardiac output syndrome. The company is also actively conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial to explore the efficacy of levosimendan in treating pulmonary hypertension associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Additionally, Tenax is involved in developing novel formulations of imatinib mesylate, a kinase inhibitor with the potential to serve as a disease-modifying therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Founded in 1967, Tenax Therapeutics underscores its commitment to advancing treatments within these critical therapeutic areas.

Entrada Therapeutics

Post in 2024
Entrada Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on treating diseases through the intracellular delivery of biologics, such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. Founded in 2016 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, the company aims to transform patient care by developing a new class of medicines that target intracellular mechanisms previously deemed inaccessible. Entrada's technology addresses challenges associated with delivering both large and small molecules, significantly enhancing the efficiency of therapeutic delivery into the cytosol. Its pipeline includes innovative therapies for neuromuscular diseases and other conditions, utilizing proprietary Endosomal Escape Vehicle (EEV) therapeutics to improve treatment outcomes across various organs and tissues.

Mereo Biopharma

Post in 2024
Mereo is based in London and was founded in March 2015 to fund and develop novel, innovative specialist focused products from large pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies. Pharmaceutical companies face increasingly difficult choices in the allocation of internal resources to their drug development programs. With significant P&L constraints and rich pipelines it has become increasingly difficult for many companies to fully fund and advance development all of their drug candidates, especially beyond Phase 2. Mereo has been formed to take advantage of the global pharmaceutical industry's drive for creative ways to progress their clinical development pipelines. Mereo has acquired an initial mid-late stage portfolio of three exceptionally well characterised novel products for the treatment of diseases with considerable unmet medical need from Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Each of these programmes has a comprehensive dataset for both pre-clinical and proof-of-concept clinical studies. Additional product opportunities are under evaluation. Mereo's focus is the development of innovative medicines that have the potential to significantly transform the lives of patients suffering from rare and other specialised conditions around the world. To do this, the Company depends on the combination of its team's expertise in selecting and acquiring product opportunities, creating value in the development pipeline and structuring creative transactions. Mereo's internal expertise is complemented by a unique partnership with a leading global CRO, ICON. Mereo combines the operational discipline and efficiency of a small company with the financial resources to conduct comprehensive clinical studies. Mereo will rapidly progress each of the products through further value inflection points before partnering or divesting its products. The Company also has the option to directly commercialise products, for example in orphan disease indications.

Asher Bio

Series C in 2024
Asher Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2019. The company specializes in the development of immunotherapy drugs aimed at effectively treating cancer. Its innovative therapies are designed to enhance the immune system's ability to target and eliminate cancer cells while minimizing side effects. This focus allows healthcare providers to deliver effective treatments to patients in a shorter timeframe, aiming to improve overall outcomes in cancer care.

Nkarta Therapeutics

Post in 2024
Nkarta Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing engineered natural killer (NK) cells for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company aims to enhance the efficacy of cell therapy by leveraging the inherent ability of NK cells to identify and eliminate abnormal cells without the need for genetic alteration. This approach allows for a broader application across various hematologic and solid tumor malignancies while potentially minimizing side effects associated with traditional T-cell therapies. Nkarta combines its NK expansion platform technology with proprietary cell engineering methods to produce a substantial supply of NK cells, enhancing their ability to recognize therapeutic targets and improving their persistence in the body for sustained activity. Through this innovative strategy, Nkarta seeks to provide more potent, well-tolerated, and rapidly available therapies for patients facing diverse cancer types.

MindMed

Post in 2024
MindMed provides psychedelic-inspired medicines and therapies for substance abuse disorders and other mental illnesses. The company is assembling a compelling drug development pipeline of innovative treatments based on psychedelic substances including Psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, DMT, and an Ibogaine derivative, 18-MC.

Avidity Biosciences

Post in 2024
Avidity Biosciences, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing oligonucleotide-based therapies known as antibody oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs). These innovative therapies aim to address the limitations of traditional oligonucleotide treatments by combining the tissue selectivity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies. This approach allows Avidity to target previously undruggable tissue and cell types, thereby addressing the underlying genetic drivers of various diseases. The company's lead product candidate, AOC 1001, is designed to treat myotonic dystrophy type 1, a rare muscle disease. Additionally, Avidity is advancing multiple programs aimed at treating muscle-related conditions such as muscle atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, and Pompe disease. Founded in 2012 and based in La Jolla, California, Avidity is also exploring therapeutic applications in immune and other cell types.

Crinetics Pharmaceuticals

Post in 2024
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics for rare endocrine diseases and endocrine-related tumors. The company's lead product candidate, paltusotine, is an oral selective nonpeptide somatostatin receptor type 2 biased agonist currently undergoing Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumors. In addition to paltusotine, Crinetics is advancing other candidates, including CRN01941, an oral selective nonpeptide sst2 biased agonist for neuroendocrine tumors, an oral selective somatostatin type 5 receptor agonist for congenital hyperinsulinism, and an oral adrenocorticotropic hormone antagonist targeting Cushing’s disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in San Diego, California, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals aims to leverage its internal discovery efforts and objective hormonal biomarker endpoints to effectively navigate the development process and bring meaningful treatments to market.

Applied Therapeutics

Post in 2024
Applied Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in New York, focused on developing innovative therapies for serious medical conditions with significant unmet needs. The company's lead product candidate, AT-007, is in phase I/II clinical trials for the treatment of galactosemia, while AT-001 is undergoing phase II trials for diabetic cardiomyopathy and phase I trials for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, AT-003 is in phase I trials for diabetic retinopathy. The company also has preclinical candidates, such as AT-104, aimed at treating orphan hematological oncology conditions. Founded in 2016, Applied Therapeutics leverages advancements in technology and regulatory processes to create drugs targeting well-established molecular mechanisms.

Immunic Therapeutics

Post in 2024
Immunic Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing selective oral immunology therapies for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The company has a pipeline that includes three small molecule products. Its lead program, IMU-838, is a selective immune modulator that works by inhibiting the enzyme DHODH, targeting conditions such as multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The second product, IMU-935, functions as an inverse agonist of the transcription factor RORγt and is being developed for psoriasis, castration-resistant prostate cancer, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Lastly, IMU-856 aims to restore intestinal barrier function and is intended for diseases associated with bowel barrier dysfunction. Through these innovative therapies, Immunic Therapeutics aims to address significant unmet medical needs in the field of immunology.

AN2 Therapeutics

Post in 2023
AN2 Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Menlo Park, California, founded in 2017. The company is dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of innovative medicines aimed at addressing infectious diseases. AN2 Therapeutics is focused on developing epetraborole, a once-daily oral treatment for patients suffering from chronic non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease, which represents a significant unmet medical need. Additionally, the company has established a strategic partnership with Brii Biosciences to enhance its development efforts.

Benitec

Post in 2023
Benitec Biopharma is using patented ‘gene-silencing’ technology to develop drugs for chronic and life-threatening human diseases. Their transformational technology, ddRNAi, targets and ‘turns off’ specific genes related to disease, providing lasting treatment and potentially cure with a single dose. Compared to traditional approaches to RNA intereference, ddRNAi is easier to deliver, safer to us, more targeted and more efficient. Benitec has a pipeline of in-house and partnered drug development programs based on ddRNAI, including Hepatitis C and B, cancer-associated pain and drug-resistant lung cancer. Our Hepatitis C program is nearing clinical trials in 2013. ddRNAi has the potential to silence genes related to thousands of human diseases and is protected by over 40 global patents. The technology is available from Benitec under a variety of licence options.

Gracell Biotechnologies

Post in 2023
Gracell Biotechnologies Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Shanghai, China, focused on discovering and developing cell therapies for cancer treatment. The company’s lead product candidates include GC012F, a dual-target autologous CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma, and GC019F, which targets adult B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is also being investigated for relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Additionally, Gracell is developing GC007F for B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and GC027, an allogeneic CAR-T product candidate for adult T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The company also has GC007g, a donor-derived therapy for relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and a pipeline of earlier stage candidates targeting other cancer types, including ovarian cancer and breast cancer. Founded in 2017, Gracell aims to provide innovative cellular therapeutics that enhance treatment options for patients suffering from various hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

CG Oncology

Series F in 2023
CG Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative immunotherapies for cancer treatment, particularly focusing on bladder cancer. The company specializes in oncolytic immunotherapies, with its lead candidate, cretostimogene grenadenorepvec, designed as a targeted, intravesical immunotherapy. Currently, CG Oncology is conducting multiple clinical trials, including two phase three trials aimed at high-risk patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who are unresponsive to BCG therapy, as well as an additional phase two study in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor. The company aims to provide effective bladder-sparing treatment options for patients while advancing the development of its proprietary therapies.

Chroma Medicine

Series B in 2023
Chroma Medicine is a genomic medicine company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2021. The company focuses on epigenetic editing, aiming to revolutionize the treatment of genetically driven diseases. By utilizing epigenetics, which is nature's inherent mechanism for regulating genes, Chroma Medicine develops programmable epigenetic editors that target specific genes and control chromatin conformation. This innovative approach combines a DNA binding domain with epigenetic effector domains, providing medical practitioners with a new class of therapeutics that offers enhanced control over gene expression.

Cargo Therapeutics

Series A in 2023
Cargo Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation CAR T-cell therapies aimed at overcoming cancer treatment resistance and improving patient access to potentially curative options. The company aims to enhance treatment outcomes by addressing the limitations of existing therapies, which currently provide curative benefits to less than half of cancer patients. Its lead program, CRG-022, is a novel CAR T-cell product candidate that targets CD22, a tumor antigen prevalent in many B-cell malignancies. By tackling issues such as limited durability, safety concerns, and supply chain obstacles, Cargo Therapeutics is committed to advancing innovative solutions that make effective cancer treatments more accessible to patients.

Curevo

Series A in 2022
Curevo is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation, non-mRNA vaccines to address unmet medical needs. Its lead candidate, amezosvatein (also known as CRV-101), is an adjuvanted subunit vaccine designed to prevent shingles (herpes zoster) and chickenpox (varicella). The company focuses on improving vaccine efficacy, safety, and tolerability while advancing its pipeline through clinical trials.

BioAtla

Post in 2022
BioAtla, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, focused on developing specific and selective antibody-based therapeutics for various cancers. The company employs a proprietary platform to create conditionally active biologics (CABs), which enhance targeting of cancerous tissues while minimizing effects on normal cells, thereby improving safety and efficacy. BioAtla's lead product candidate, BA3011, is a conditionally active biologic designed to treat soft tissue and bone sarcomas, non-small cell lung cancer, and other tumors. The company is also advancing BA3021, targeting non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, and BA3071, aimed at multiple cancer types including renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. With over 150 patents and applications, BioAtla's innovative approach expands the potential for treating previously untreatable cancers and enhances the manufacturability of its drug candidates.

Compass Therapeutics

Post in 2022
Compass Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutic antibodies for solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Founded in 2014 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes its proprietary StitchMabs and common light-chain platforms to identify and develop innovative antibody therapeutics. Its lead product candidate, CTX-471, is an agonistic monoclonal antibody targeting CD137, currently undergoing Phase I clinical trials. Another significant candidate, CTX-009, is a bispecific antibody that inhibits DLL4-mediated Notch signaling and VEGF-A signaling, and has completed a Phase 1 dose escalation study. Additionally, CTX-8371, another bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and PD-L1, is in the IND-enabling stage. Compass Therapeutics aims to engage the immune system effectively to advance its therapeutic offerings.

Disc Medicine

Venture Round in 2022
Disc Medicine, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2017. The company focuses on developing human genetics-based therapeutics aimed at addressing ineffective red blood cell production in hematologic diseases. Its innovative pipeline includes therapies such as bitopertin for treating erythropoietic porphyrias and Diamond-Blackfan anemia. Disc Medicine targets the hepcidin metabolism axis and aims to modify fundamental biological pathways related to red blood cell formation and function, including heme biosynthesis and iron homeostasis. Through its portfolio of clinical and preclinical product candidates, the company strives to transform the lives of patients suffering from severe hematologic disorders.

Enliven Therapeutics

Series B in 2022
Enliven Therapeutics is a clinical-stage precision oncology company based in Boulder, Colorado, focused on developing small molecule therapies aimed at improving patients' lives. Founded in July 2019 by Sam Kintz, Joe Lyssikatos, and Anish Patel, the company employs a discovery process that integrates clinically validated biological targets with advanced chemistry to create innovative oncology therapeutics. Enliven's product candidates include ELVN-001, a selective small molecule kinase inhibitor targeting the BCR-ABL gene fusion associated with chronic myeloid leukemia, and ELVN-002, an irreversible HER2 inhibitor designed to penetrate the central nervous system and combat wild-type HER2. The company's therapeutic programs address critical challenges in oncology, such as tolerability, resistance, and disease escape, particularly in patients with brain metastases.

Ceptur Therapeutics

Series A in 2022
Ceptur Therapeutics is focused on developing innovative genetic medicines aimed at addressing diseases that currently lack effective treatments. The company utilizes its proprietary U1 Adaptor technology, which enables long-lasting and non-genotoxic silencing of disease-causing genes, particularly in challenging tissues beyond the liver and central nervous system. This technology addresses the limitations of existing gene silencing methods and holds promise for cancer treatment, allowing healthcare providers to offer new therapeutic options for patients with various types of cancers.

Curevo

Series A in 2022
Curevo is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation, non-mRNA vaccines to address unmet medical needs. Its lead candidate, amezosvatein (also known as CRV-101), is an adjuvanted subunit vaccine designed to prevent shingles (herpes zoster) and chickenpox (varicella). The company focuses on improving vaccine efficacy, safety, and tolerability while advancing its pipeline through clinical trials.

Chroma Medicine

Series A in 2021
Chroma Medicine is a genomic medicine company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2021. The company focuses on epigenetic editing, aiming to revolutionize the treatment of genetically driven diseases. By utilizing epigenetics, which is nature's inherent mechanism for regulating genes, Chroma Medicine develops programmable epigenetic editors that target specific genes and control chromatin conformation. This innovative approach combines a DNA binding domain with epigenetic effector domains, providing medical practitioners with a new class of therapeutics that offers enhanced control over gene expression.

PharmEasy

Venture Round in 2021
PharmEasy is a health tech startup founded in 2015 by Dharmil Sheth, Mikhil Innani, and Dhaval Shah, operating as a subsidiary of Ascent Health. The company offers an online platform that streamlines the supply chain of pharmaceuticals by digitizing the process of medicine delivery. It provides services such as teleconsultation, medicine deliveries, and diagnostic test sample collections, facilitating connections between patients and local pharmacy stores and diagnostic centers. By improving accessibility and affordability, PharmEasy aims to meet extensive medical needs and enhance the overall healthcare experience for its users. The startup is backed by several prominent investors, including Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Temasek Holdings.

Ventyx Biosciences

Series B in 2021
Ventyx Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Encinitas, California, that specializes in developing selective inhibitors of TYK2 for autoimmune diseases. Founded in 2018, the company focuses on creating innovative therapies for patients suffering from inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders. Its pipeline includes VTX958, an oral allosteric TYK2 inhibitor currently in Phase 1 trials, aimed at treating a variety of autoimmune conditions while minimizing the toxicities associated with broader Janus kinase inhibition. Additionally, Ventyx is advancing VTX002, a Phase 2-ready S1P1 receptor modulator for ulcerative colitis, and VTX2735, a Phase 1 peripheral inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which is implicated in several inflammatory conditions. Through these efforts, Ventyx aims to provide effective treatment options for millions of patients.

Disc Medicine

Series B in 2021
Disc Medicine, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2017. The company focuses on developing human genetics-based therapeutics aimed at addressing ineffective red blood cell production in hematologic diseases. Its innovative pipeline includes therapies such as bitopertin for treating erythropoietic porphyrias and Diamond-Blackfan anemia. Disc Medicine targets the hepcidin metabolism axis and aims to modify fundamental biological pathways related to red blood cell formation and function, including heme biosynthesis and iron homeostasis. Through its portfolio of clinical and preclinical product candidates, the company strives to transform the lives of patients suffering from severe hematologic disorders.

Asher Bio

Series B in 2021
Asher Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2019. The company specializes in the development of immunotherapy drugs aimed at effectively treating cancer. Its innovative therapies are designed to enhance the immune system's ability to target and eliminate cancer cells while minimizing side effects. This focus allows healthcare providers to deliver effective treatments to patients in a shorter timeframe, aiming to improve overall outcomes in cancer care.

DICE Therapeutics

Series C in 2021
DICE Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company that utilizes its proprietary technology platform to develop a pipeline of novel oral therapeutic candidates aimed at treating chronic diseases, particularly in the field of immunology. The company focuses on creating oral therapeutics that target well-established proteins, intending to achieve efficacy similar to existing systemic biologics. DICE's DELSCAPE platform is specifically designed to discover selective oral small molecules capable of modulating protein-protein interactions effectively. Its lead candidate, S011806, is an oral antagonist targeting interleukin-17, a key player in various immunological conditions. In addition to S011806, DICE is developing other oral therapeutic candidates that target α4ß7 integrin and αVß1/αVß6 integrin, aimed at treating inflammatory bowel disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, respectively.

Tango Therapeutics

Post in 2021
Tango Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative cancer therapies through the principle of synthetic lethality. Established in 2014, the company aims to discover and target specific driver genes involved in cancer progression. Its research concentrates on three main areas: counteracting the loss of tumor suppressor genes, reversing cancer cells' ability to evade the immune system, and identifying effective drug combinations that outperform single-agent therapies. Tango's pipeline includes TNG908, a selective inhibitor of PRMT5 designed for cancer cells with an MTAP deletion, alongside other discovery programs like TNG462, TNG348, and TNG260, which target various cancer types with limited treatment options.

BioTheryx

Series E in 2021
BioTheryX, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Chappaqua, New York, focused on developing innovative therapies that restore protein homeostasis through targeted protein degradation. The company specializes in Protein Homeostatic Modulators and small molecule targeted protein degraders (TPDs), which utilize a unique mechanism involving molecular glues to regulate protein levels within the body. Their proprietary PRODEGY platform is built on a library of Cereblon binders, enabling the design of bifunctional and hybrid degraders aimed at treating various diseases, particularly cancer. BioTheryX's lead candidate, BTX-A51, is an oral small molecule and multi-kinase inhibitor targeting specific leukemic stem cells and oncogenic transcription factors. Established in 2007, BioTheryX aims to address significant unmet medical needs by leveraging its expertise in protein modulation and degradation.

Janux Therapeutics

Series B in 2021
Janux Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative immunotherapies aimed at generating immune responses to combat tumors while preserving healthy tissue. Utilizing its proprietary tumor-activated T Cell Engager platform technology, Janux targets all three stages of the anti-tumor immune response. The company's approach is designed to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments by specifically engaging the immune system to identify and eliminate cancer cells.

Tyra Biosciences

Series B in 2021
Tyra Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Carlsbad, California, that specializes in developing small molecule therapies for cancer treatment. Founded in 2018, the company aims to address drug resistance in cancer therapies through its proprietary SNÅP platform, which facilitates rapid and precise drug design by generating iterative molecular snapshots. Tyra is particularly focused on creating selective inhibitors of the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) family, which are implicated in approximately 7% of all cancers. The company's lead product candidate, TYRA-300, specifically targets FGFR3 and is initially aimed at patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and urinary tract. Through its innovative approach, Tyra Biosciences seeks to improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients by providing alternatives to existing therapies.

Amunix

Series B in 2021
Amunix is a biopharmaceutical company intended to discover, design, and develop novel biologics, protein, and peptide therapeutics. The company is focused on developing prodrugs to bring the promise of potent immune-activating biotherapeutics to patients with solid tumor cancers. By delivering breakthrough therapies that can safely harness the immune system, it aims to conquer cancer and save lives. Its pipeline products are based on its proprietary XTEN half-life extension, XDC drug-conjugate delivery, and ProTIA pro-drug, bispecific T cell engager platform and have ongoing collaborations with biopharma corporations harnessing these delivery technologies over a wide range of therapeutic areas, delivering improved pharmaceutical technologies. Amunix was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

DTx Pharma

Series B in 2021
DTx Pharma, LLC is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing fatty acid-conjugated peptide therapeutics for patients with rare and chronic diseases. The company specializes in RNA-based therapeutics, utilizing a delivery technology platform that enhances the distribution of nucleic acid drugs to various tissues and organ systems beyond the liver. This innovative approach addresses limitations associated with previous-generation RNA delivery methods, such as poor pharmacokinetics and inadequate cellular uptake. DTx Pharma's products target conditions including retinitis pigmentosa, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and central nervous system disorders. Founded in 2017 and based in San Diego, California, DTx Pharma aims to provide personalized treatment options across multiple therapeutic areas.

Artiva Biotherapeutics

Series B in 2021
Artiva Biotherapeutics is a biotech company focused on developing and manufacturing cellular immunotherapies for cancer patients. Founded in 2019 and based in San Diego, California, Artiva specializes in off-the-shelf, allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell therapies aimed at treating various hematologic cancers and solid tumors. The company's product pipeline targets specific antigens, including CD20 and CD19 for B-cell lymphomas, as well as HER2 for certain solid tumors. Artiva's approach emphasizes the therapeutic potential of NK cells and aims to overcome challenges in scaling and manufacturing these therapies. The company is committed to delivering safe, effective, and readily accessible cell therapies to benefit cancer patients. Artiva operates as a subsidiary of Green Cross Holdings Corporation.

Viracta Therapeutics

Post in 2021
Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage drug development company based in Cardiff, California, focused on precision oncology for virus-associated malignancies. The company specializes in a viral activation therapy platform aimed at treating cancers linked to the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and other virus-associated diseases. Its lead investigational drug, nanatinostat, is being evaluated in combination with the antiviral valganciclovir in Phase 2 clinical trials for EBV-positive lymphoma, including conditions such as post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder and plasmablastic lymphoma. Viracta is also exploring the application of this therapeutic approach in treating other EBV-related malignancies, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and gastric carcinoma. Founded in 2007 and previously known as HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals, Viracta Therapeutics continues to advance its mission to develop innovative treatments for serious viral-associated cancers.

Centessa Pharmaceuticals

Series A in 2021
Centessa Pharmaceuticals is a next-generation biopharmaceutical company that aims to reshape the traditional drug development process. The company applies an asset-centric R&D model at scale to advance a portfolio of highly validated programs led by industry-leading teams. Each program is developed by a Centessa Subsidiary and supported by a centralized infrastructure and the Centessa management team.

Cyteir Therapeutics

Series C in 2021
Cyteir Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Lexington, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapies that leverage the biology of DNA repair for cancer treatment and synthetic lethality in autoimmune diseases. The company utilizes its expertise in DNA damage response biology to create a pipeline of small molecule therapeutics aimed at selectively targeting vulnerabilities in cancer cells and inducing their self-destruction through DNA damage overload. Cyteir's lead compound, CYT-0851, is an oral investigational drug designed to inhibit RAD51-mediated homologous recombination, which is crucial for repairing double-strand DNA breaks. The company is dedicated to addressing a variety of hematological malignancies, solid tumors, and chronic autoimmune disorders through its integrated drug development platform. Founded in 2012, Cyteir is committed to advancing next-generation therapies that can improve patient outcomes in challenging disease states.

HemoShear Therapeutics

Series A in 2021
HemoShear Therapeutics, LLC is dedicated to discovering novel biological targets and drug treatments for rare metabolic disorders, particularly focusing on inherited conditions such as Organic Acidemias and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis, a chronic liver disease. The company employs its proprietary REVEAL-Tx platform to replicate human disease biology, enabling the development and validation of new therapies. By creating human-relevant systems, HemoShear generates significant human response data that aids pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners in making informed decisions and reducing the risk of costly failures in drug development. Founded in 2008 and based in Charlottesville, Virginia, HemoShear Therapeutics aims to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from metabolic defects that disrupt essential biochemical processes.

Verve Therapeutics

Series B in 2021
Verve Therapeutics, Inc. is a genetic medicines company focused on innovative treatments for cardiovascular disease through gene editing. Founded in 2018 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with a research facility in Philadelphia, the company aims to shift the management of cardiovascular conditions from chronic treatments to single-course gene editing therapies. Its initial programs concentrate on the PCSK9 and ANGPTL3 genes, which are known to significantly impact blood lipid levels, a major factor in cardiovascular disease. Verve Therapeutics collaborates with partners such as Beam Therapeutics and Verily to enhance its gene editing delivery technologies. The company is staffed by a team of experts in cardiovascular medicine, human genetics, and drug development, positioning itself to address the challenges of cardiovascular health effectively.

New Amsterdam Pharma

Series A in 2021
NewAmsterdam Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for cardio-metabolic diseases. The company aims to enhance patient care for individuals with metabolic disorders by addressing the shortcomings of currently available treatments. Its leading product, obicetrapib, is a next-generation, oral, low-dose CETP inhibitor designed to effectively lower LDL cholesterol levels while potentially overcoming the limitations associated with existing therapies.

Scorpion Therapeutics

Series B in 2021
Scorpion Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, focused on developing next-generation precision oncology technologies for cancer treatment. Founded in 2020, the company specializes in creating targeted small-molecule drugs that interact with validated cancer targets. Its research encompasses therapies aimed at known oncogenes, previously undruggable cancer targets, and novel targets. By integrating technologies across target discovery, medicinal chemistry, and translational medicine, Scorpion Therapeutics aims to advance a comprehensive pipeline of optimized compounds. The company's goal is to expand the reach of precision medicine, enabling healthcare professionals to offer innovative treatments to a broader range of cancer patients.

Biomea Fusion

Series A in 2021
Biomea Fusion is a privately held precision medicine company with a mission to revolutionize drug development to create more effective therapies for cancer patients. Biomea Fusion has a development portfolio that targets specific gene alterations which occur in the DNA of patients that translate into key drivers of tumor growth. It is Biomea’s goal to move these potentially breakthrough medicines swiftly through the development process and deliver highly impactful treatments for patients in need. The lead program targets the protein-to-protein interaction between menin and the MLL complex for the treatment of various tumors.

Decibel Therapeutics

Series D in 2020
Decibel Therapeutics is a developer of hearing disorder therapeutics intended to protect, repair and restore hearing. The company's therapeutics have provided insights into the link between hearing dysfunction and inner ear pathology and it has capabilities to encompass animal models, drug delivery to the inner ear, imaging, inner ear PK/PD modeling and measurement, bioinformatics, genetics and target identification, enabling patients to experience hearing loss therapies with different forms of hearing disorders for their recovery.

Olema Oncology

Series C in 2020
Olema Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. The company specializes in the discovery and commercialization of targeted treatments aimed at improving outcomes for women with cancer. Olema utilizes its extensive knowledge of endocrine-driven cancers and the molecular mechanisms of the ER to create drug candidates that are designed to outperform existing therapies. Currently, the company's product pipeline includes OP-1250 and OP-3136, both of which have completed discovery and preclinical studies. Olema's mission is to transform the standard of care for both pre- and post-menopausal women by providing more effective and convenient treatment options.

Flame Biosciences

Venture Round in 2020
Flame Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in New York, dedicated to the research, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies targeting cancer and inflammatory diseases. The company is focused on creating transformative treatments, including FL-101, which addresses lung cancers associated with inflammation, and FL-201, aimed at reducing chronic inflammation in patients. Established in 2017, Flame Biosciences seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from debilitating and life-threatening conditions through its advanced therapeutic solutions.

Rain Oncology

Series B in 2020
Rain Oncology Inc. is a late-stage precision oncology company focused on developing therapies that target oncogenic drivers. The company employs a tumor-agnostic approach, selecting patients based on the underlying genetics of their tumors rather than their histological characteristics. Its leading product candidate, milademetan, is an oral small molecule inhibitor of MDM2, which plays a role in various cancers. In addition to milademetan, Rain Oncology is advancing a preclinical program aimed at inducing synthetic lethality in cancer cells through the inhibition of RAD52. This targeted strategy aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients who are genetically predisposed to benefit from these therapies.

Kinnate Biopharma

Series C in 2020
Kinnate Biopharma Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, focused on developing small molecule kinase inhibitors for the treatment of genomically defined cancers. Founded in 2018, the company aims to create precision oncology therapeutics to address the needs of underserved patient populations. Kinnate's lead product candidate, KIN002787, is a rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma inhibitor currently in preclinical development for lung cancer, melanoma, and other solid tumors. Additionally, the company is working on KIN003, which targets specific alterations in the FGFR2 and FGFR3 genes, and has other small molecule research programs, including a Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 12 inhibitor. Kinnate Biopharma employs expertise in structure-based drug discovery and translational research to advance its pipeline of candidates aimed at treating cancers associated with specific oncogenic alterations.

Olema Oncology

Series B in 2020
Olema Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. The company specializes in the discovery and commercialization of targeted treatments aimed at improving outcomes for women with cancer. Olema utilizes its extensive knowledge of endocrine-driven cancers and the molecular mechanisms of the ER to create drug candidates that are designed to outperform existing therapies. Currently, the company's product pipeline includes OP-1250 and OP-3136, both of which have completed discovery and preclinical studies. Olema's mission is to transform the standard of care for both pre- and post-menopausal women by providing more effective and convenient treatment options.

BioAtla

Series D in 2020
BioAtla, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, focused on developing specific and selective antibody-based therapeutics for various cancers. The company employs a proprietary platform to create conditionally active biologics (CABs), which enhance targeting of cancerous tissues while minimizing effects on normal cells, thereby improving safety and efficacy. BioAtla's lead product candidate, BA3011, is a conditionally active biologic designed to treat soft tissue and bone sarcomas, non-small cell lung cancer, and other tumors. The company is also advancing BA3021, targeting non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, and BA3071, aimed at multiple cancer types including renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. With over 150 patents and applications, BioAtla's innovative approach expands the potential for treating previously untreatable cancers and enhances the manufacturability of its drug candidates.

Cybin

Series B in 2020
Cybin is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company on a mission to create safe and effective psychedelic-based therapeutics to address the large unmet need for new and innovative treatment options for people who suffer from mental health conditions. Cybin’s goal of revolutionizing mental healthcare is supported by a network of world-class partners and internationally recognized scientists aimed at progressing proprietary drug discovery platforms, innovative drug delivery systems, and novel formulation approaches and treatment regimens. The Company is currently developing CYB003, a proprietary deuterated psilocybin analog for the treatment of major depressive disorder, and CYB004, a proprietary deuterated DMT molecule for generalized anxiety disorder, and has a research pipeline of investigational psychedelic-based compounds. Headquartered in Canada and founded in 2019, Cybin is operational in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Ireland. For company updates and to learn more about Cybin, visit www.cybin.com or follow the team on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

Annexon Biosciences

Series D in 2020
Annexon Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for patients suffering from classical complement-mediated disorders affecting the body, brain, and eye. The company's research is centered around its platform technology that targets classical complement-mediated autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases associated with the abnormal activation of C1q, a key molecule in the classical complement pathway. Annexon's lead product candidate, ANX005, is a full-length monoclonal antibody intended for intravenous use in treating autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders. Another candidate, ANX007, is a monoclonal antibody Fab formulated for intravitreal administration aimed at neurodegenerative ophthalmic conditions. The company employs a disciplined, biomarker-driven development strategy to ensure its therapies effectively engage the target at tolerable doses within the intended patient tissues, while also exploring additional indications within both orphan and larger market segments.

Mereo Biopharma

Post in 2020
Mereo is based in London and was founded in March 2015 to fund and develop novel, innovative specialist focused products from large pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies. Pharmaceutical companies face increasingly difficult choices in the allocation of internal resources to their drug development programs. With significant P&L constraints and rich pipelines it has become increasingly difficult for many companies to fully fund and advance development all of their drug candidates, especially beyond Phase 2. Mereo has been formed to take advantage of the global pharmaceutical industry's drive for creative ways to progress their clinical development pipelines. Mereo has acquired an initial mid-late stage portfolio of three exceptionally well characterised novel products for the treatment of diseases with considerable unmet medical need from Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Each of these programmes has a comprehensive dataset for both pre-clinical and proof-of-concept clinical studies. Additional product opportunities are under evaluation. Mereo's focus is the development of innovative medicines that have the potential to significantly transform the lives of patients suffering from rare and other specialised conditions around the world. To do this, the Company depends on the combination of its team's expertise in selecting and acquiring product opportunities, creating value in the development pipeline and structuring creative transactions. Mereo's internal expertise is complemented by a unique partnership with a leading global CRO, ICON. Mereo combines the operational discipline and efficiency of a small company with the financial resources to conduct comprehensive clinical studies. Mereo will rapidly progress each of the products through further value inflection points before partnering or divesting its products. The Company also has the option to directly commercialise products, for example in orphan disease indications.

Everest Medicines

Series C in 2020
Everest Medicines Limited is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Shanghai, China, founded in 2017. The company focuses on licensing, developing, and commercializing innovative therapies to meet critical unmet medical needs in Greater China and other Asia Pacific markets. Its diverse portfolio includes eight clinical-stage drug candidates aimed at treating various conditions such as oncology, immunology, cardio-renal diseases, and infectious diseases. Everest Medicines aims to partner with innovative global companies to bring transformative pharmaceutical solutions to the Emerging Market, leveraging its expertise in clinical development, regulatory affairs, and business operations. The company's pipeline features several notable candidates, including Nefecon, EVER001, PTX-COVID19-B, and Eravacycline, among others.

Kymera Therapeutics

Series C in 2020
Kymera Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company based in Watertown, Massachusetts, that specializes in the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics aimed at selectively degrading disease-causing proteins. The company utilizes a proprietary platform for targeted protein degradation, leveraging the body’s natural protein recycling system. Kymera is developing several programs, including the IRAK4 program for immunology-inflammation diseases such as hidradenitis suppurativa and rheumatoid arthritis, the IRAKIMiD program to address MYD88-mutated diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and the STAT3 program targeting hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and autoimmune diseases. Founded in 2015, Kymera Therapeutics is pioneering new approaches to treat diseases that have previously been considered untreatable, focusing on previously inaccessible therapeutic targets.

Aligos Therapeutics

Series B in 2020
Aligos Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that was founded in 2018 with the mission to become a world leader in the treatment of viral infections and liver diseases. Aligos is focused on the development of targeted antiviral therapies for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and coronaviruses as well as leveraging its expertise in liver diseases to create targeted therapeutics for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Aligos’ strategy is to harness the deep expertise and decades of drug development experience its workforce has in liver disease, particularly viral hepatitis, to rapidly advance its pipeline of potentially best-in-class molecules.

Forma Therapeutics

Series D in 2019
FORMA Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Watertown, Massachusetts, specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics for rare hematologic diseases and various cancers. The company's notable product candidates include FT-4202, currently in Phase 1 trials for sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies, and FT-7051, which targets metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Additionally, FORMA is advancing FT-2102, an oral investigational agent designed to inhibit mutated IDH1 enzymes, now being evaluated in Phase 2 trials for relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia and exploratory Phase 1 trials for glioma. The company also develops FT-4101 and FT-8225, selective inhibitors of fatty acid synthase. By integrating advanced drug discovery technologies and oncology expertise, FORMA aims to target challenging biological pathways that contribute to cancer, thereby enhancing the development of small molecule drug candidates with unique mechanisms of action.

Aprea

Series C in 2019
Aprea is a biotech company focusing on the discovery and development of novel anticancer compounds reactivating the tumor suppressor protein p53. The Company's lead program, APR-246, is a first-in-class small molecule drug candidate in clinical development. Aprea Therapeutics was established in 2003 in Stockholms Lan, Sweden by Klas Wiman and Galina Selivanova.

Black Diamond Therapeutics

Series B in 2019
Black Diamond Therapeutics is a precision oncology medicine company focused on discovering and developing small molecule therapies that are tumor-agnostic. The company’s lead product candidate, BDTX-189, targets non-canonical and oncogenic mutations in ErbB kinases, specifically the epidermal growth factor receptor and tyrosine-protein kinase. In addition to BDTX-189, Black Diamond is developing allosteric-EGFR mutation inhibitors and other early-stage pipeline programs that address allosteric mutations in kinases associated with cancer and rare genetic diseases. The company's approach is centered on its Mutation-Allostery-Pharmacology platform, which aims to create targeted treatments for genetically defined cancers, especially for patients with limited existing treatment options. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Black Diamond Therapeutics was previously known as ASET Therapeutics until its name change in January 2018.

Sojournix

Series C in 2019
Sojournix, Inc. is a biotechnology company developing innovative medicines for women's health and endocrine disorders.

Akero Therapeutics

Series B in 2018
Akero Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, that specializes in developing treatments for serious metabolic diseases, particularly nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Founded in 2017 and formerly known as Pippin Pharmaceuticals, the company is dedicated to addressing the significant unmet medical needs associated with NASH, a condition characterized by liver inflammation and damage, which can lead to severe complications such as fibrosis and liver failure. Akero's lead product candidate, AKR-001, is a long-acting Fc fusion modified FGF21 protein designed to restore metabolic balance by targeting both liver and adipose tissues, thereby reducing liver fat and suppressing inflammation and fibrosis. This innovative approach builds upon two decades of research into FGF21 biology, positioning Akero as a frontrunner in the quest for effective NASH therapies.

Stoke Therapeutics

Series B in 2018
Stoke Therapeutics, Inc. is an early-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts, focused on developing novel antisense oligonucleotide medicines to address the underlying causes of severe genetic diseases. The company employs its proprietary TANGO (Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output) technology to enhance gene expression by targeting RNA splicing, thereby selectively restoring protein levels. Its lead product candidate, STK-001, is currently in clinical testing for the treatment of Dravet syndrome, a serious and progressive genetic epilepsy. Established in 2014, Stoke Therapeutics also collaborates with Invitae Corporation to provide genetic testing services, further supporting its mission to advance gene-targeted therapies for patients with severe genetic conditions.
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