Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC

Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, established in 1973 and based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, serves as the corporate venture capital arm of Johnson & Johnson. The organization focuses on identifying transformative ideas and nurturing them into viable solutions for patients. JJDC targets investments in companies within the pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer healthcare, and medtech sectors, aiming to foster innovation that addresses current healthcare challenges. By supporting emerging companies, JJDC plays a crucial role in advancing healthcare solutions and enhancing patient outcomes.

Past deals in Therapeutics

RefleXion Medical

Venture Round in 2022
RefleXion Medical Inc. specializes in developing a biologically-guided radiotherapy system aimed at transforming cancer treatment. The company’s innovative technology allows tumors to continuously signal their location during therapy, facilitating the simultaneous treatment of multiple tumors, particularly in cases of metastasis. The RefleXion X1 machine is currently cleared for various forms of radiotherapy, including stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). At the core of RefleXion's approach is the integration of positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging, which enables real-time tumor tracking and dose adaptation based on the biological characteristics of the tumors. This advancement in radiotherapy promises to enhance precision in cancer treatment, offering a potential paradigm shift in radiation oncology. RefleXion Medical, incorporated in 2009 and based in Hayward, California, has established strategic collaborations, including partnerships with Telix Pharmaceuticals and HealthMyne.

TRexBio

Series A in 2022
Operator of a biotechnology company intended to provide services regarding the functional manipulation of immune cells. The company maps human tissue's behavior to disease processes, allowing it to identify and characterize novel targets for therapeutic intervention, enabling patients to get access to treatment and cure themselves of debilitating illnesses including cancer, fibrotic, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Rondo Therapeutics

Series A in 2022
Creating novel bispecific antibodies that activate the immune system to fight cancer

AviadoBio

Series A in 2021
AviadoBio mission is to transform the lives of people living with neurodegenerative disorders by developing and delivering transformative gene therapies for diseases including frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Company’s technology is based on pioneering research from King’s College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute.

Calypso Biotech

Series A in 2021
Calypso Biotech SA is an immunotherapy biotechnology company based in Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland, founded in 2013 as a spin-off from Merck Serono. The company specializes in discovering and developing monoclonal antibodies aimed at treating immune pathologies, particularly for conditions with significant unmet medical needs, including severe gastrointestinal diseases. Calypso Biotech operates as a semi-virtual organization, leveraging a highly experienced management team with expertise in drug development. The company focuses on creating substantial value for investors through a portfolio of unique proprietary antibody candidates designed to control homeostasis and improve treatment outcomes for patients.

Visus Therapeutics

Debt Financing in 2021
Visus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company focused on developing innovative ophthalmic therapies aimed at enhancing vision for individuals globally. The company is known for its presbyopia-correcting eye drops, which are designed to provide temporary relief from the loss of near vision associated with presbyopia. Additionally, Visus Therapeutics is engaged in the development of various ophthalmic product candidates targeting conditions such as ocular surface disease, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Through its research and product offerings, the company seeks to address significant unmet needs in vision care.

Point Biopharma

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

Ribon Therapeutics

Series C in 2021
Ribon Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Lexington, Massachusetts, founded in 2015. The company is focused on developing innovative cancer therapies that target monoPARP proteins, which are essential regulators of cancer cell survival. Ribon's scientific founders have made significant contributions to the understanding of PARPs, or poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, and their roles in cancer. Leveraging this expertise, Ribon is establishing a proprietary drug discovery platform aimed at exploring the molecular actions and biological functions of monoPARPs. This platform supports the creation of a pipeline of therapeutics that selectively target these proteins to potentially treat cancer and other diseases. Ribon Therapeutics is supported by notable life science investors, enhancing its capability to advance its research and development efforts.

Thirty Madison

Series C in 2021
Thirty Madison, Inc. is a digital health company based in Astoria, New York, focused on providing specialized care for chronic conditions through its web-based platforms. Founded in 2016, the company operates several condition-specific brands: Keeps, which offers a subscription service for men's hair loss prevention medications; Cove, which provides online consultations and prescriptions for migraine treatment; and Evens, designed to manage acid reflux. By offering these tailored services, Thirty Madison aims to increase access to affordable healthcare solutions, addressing the unique needs of patients suffering from these conditions.

Pulmocide

Series C in 2021
Pulmocide Ltd is a London-based company established in 2007 that specializes in developing inhaled medicines aimed at treating serious viral and fungal infections of the respiratory tract. The company focuses on creating a new generation of antifungal drugs tailored for inhalation, which enhances the delivery of medication directly to the lungs while reducing systemic exposure. This targeted approach is designed to improve efficacy against respiratory aspergillosis and minimize systemic toxicities, thereby offering safe and effective treatment options for patients with acute and chronic respiratory diseases.

Mestag Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2021
Developer of a biotechnology research and development platform designed to offer therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. The company's platform exploits emerging insights related to the role of activated fibroblast populations in disease for developing therapeutics to interrupt fibroblast-mediated effects on immune cells in inflammatory disease and cancer, enabling the medical industry to combat and cure rare and life-threatening diseases.

Visus Therapeutics

Series A in 2021
Visus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company focused on developing innovative ophthalmic therapies aimed at enhancing vision for individuals globally. The company is known for its presbyopia-correcting eye drops, which are designed to provide temporary relief from the loss of near vision associated with presbyopia. Additionally, Visus Therapeutics is engaged in the development of various ophthalmic product candidates targeting conditions such as ocular surface disease, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Through its research and product offerings, the company seeks to address significant unmet needs in vision care.

TechsoMed

Series B in 2021
TechsoMed is an Israeli based medical device company, developing ultrasound based real-time monitoring systems for thermal ablation procedures. The applications of thermal ablation are numerous: tumor destruction, heart arrhythmia, blood pressure treatments and more. The procedure has market size in the billions, but lacks real-time monitoring capabilities, causing high failure rates. Their technology offers added value to patients, physicians and insurance companies by solving the high failure rate of these minimally invasive and cost effective procedures.

ONL Therapeutics

Series B in 2020
ONL Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, focused on developing innovative therapies aimed at protecting vision by targeting photoreceptors. Established in 2006, the company specializes in creating photoreceptor protective agents that address the FAS apoptotic pathway, which is critical for preserving photoreceptor cells. With a growing market for retinal drugs exceeding $7 billion, ONL Therapeutics aims to overcome the limitations of existing treatments that do not target the initial neural component of vision loss. The company’s drug programs include small-molecule peptides designed to protect photoreceptors during vision-threatening conditions such as retinal detachment, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and supporting successful surgical interventions.

Syndesi Therapeutics

Series A in 2020
Syndesi Therapeutics SA is a biopharmaceutical company based in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, founded in 2018. The company focuses on developing drug molecules that modulate the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, which is crucial for synaptic transmission—the process that facilitates communication between neurons in the brain. By regulating this transmission, Syndesi aims to create effective treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease and other cognitive impairment disorders. The company holds an exclusive license to its innovative platform technology from UCB, a leader in SV2A research. Through its efforts, Syndesi Therapeutics seeks to provide healthcare providers with advanced therapeutic options for managing these challenging conditions.

ImmPACT Bio

Series A in 2020
ImmPACT Bio USA Inc. is a cell therapy company aiming to develop potent and selective engineered T-cells for the treatment of solid tumors. The Company's technology enables targeting loss-of-gene features of solid tumor cells, sparing normal, healthy tissues.

Thirty Madison

Series B in 2020
Thirty Madison, Inc. is a digital health company based in Astoria, New York, focused on providing specialized care for chronic conditions through its web-based platforms. Founded in 2016, the company operates several condition-specific brands: Keeps, which offers a subscription service for men's hair loss prevention medications; Cove, which provides online consultations and prescriptions for migraine treatment; and Evens, designed to manage acid reflux. By offering these tailored services, Thirty Madison aims to increase access to affordable healthcare solutions, addressing the unique needs of patients suffering from these conditions.

Vor Biopharma

Series B in 2020
Vor Biopharma, Inc. develops engineered hematopoietic stem cell (eHSC) therapies for cancer patients. It offers VOR33, an eHSC product candidate that is in preclinical development to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The company’s VOR33 eHSCs lacks CD33, a protein that is expressed by AML cancer cells. Vor Biopharma, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

HistoSonics

Series C in 2020
HistoSonics provides the Edison Platform, which uses advanced imaging and proprietary sensing technology to deliver non-invasive, personalized treatments with precision and control, and uses the science of histotripsy and focused sound energy to generate pressures to liquify and completely destroy targeted tissues at sub-cellular levels.

RefleXion Medical

Series D in 2020
RefleXion Medical Inc. specializes in developing a biologically-guided radiotherapy system aimed at transforming cancer treatment. The company’s innovative technology allows tumors to continuously signal their location during therapy, facilitating the simultaneous treatment of multiple tumors, particularly in cases of metastasis. The RefleXion X1 machine is currently cleared for various forms of radiotherapy, including stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). At the core of RefleXion's approach is the integration of positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging, which enables real-time tumor tracking and dose adaptation based on the biological characteristics of the tumors. This advancement in radiotherapy promises to enhance precision in cancer treatment, offering a potential paradigm shift in radiation oncology. RefleXion Medical, incorporated in 2009 and based in Hayward, California, has established strategic collaborations, including partnerships with Telix Pharmaceuticals and HealthMyne.

OrthoSpin

Series B in 2020
OrthoSpin Limited, founded in 2014 and based in Misgav, Israel, specializes in the development of an innovative robotic external fixation system designed to enhance treatment for patients with bone injuries and limb deformities. The company’s dynamic external fixators offer a significant improvement over traditional systems, which are often cumbersome and painful. OrthoSpin’s system features a lightweight motorized strut and a control box integrated into a circular hexapod fixation frame, allowing for automatic and continuous pre-programmed adjustments without requiring patient involvement. This smart system not only ensures adherence to prescribed treatment plans but also enables real-time monitoring of patient progress through proprietary software. By facilitating timely adjustments to treatment schedules, OrthoSpin aims to reduce complications and improve clinical outcomes for orthopedic patients, thereby accelerating their recovery process.

AviadoBio

Seed Round in 2020
AviadoBio mission is to transform the lives of people living with neurodegenerative disorders by developing and delivering transformative gene therapies for diseases including frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Company’s technology is based on pioneering research from King’s College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute.

ProteKt Therapeutics

Venture Round in 2019
ProteKt Therapeutics is a drug development company focused on creating potent and selective oral inhibitors of the kinase PKR to address neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. The company has successfully developed a series of novel molecules through innovative computational methods, followed by validation in clinically relevant assays. These inhibitors aim to improve memory consolidation and enhance long-term memory in patients suffering from these conditions. ProteKt Therapeutics has raised $4 million in a pre-A funding round and is a graduate of the FutuRx accelerator, which supports emerging biotechnology ventures.

X-Vax

Series A in 2019
X-Vax Technology is a biotechnology company focused on the preclinical and clinical development of vaccines against pathogens that cause mucosal infections such as herpes, influenza, tuberculosis and HIV, affecting hundreds of millions of people around the globe. They believe that inducing antibodies that mediate the killing of infected cells will provoke an entirely new and effective immune response – so that they can finally beat these pathogens. The company was founded in 2015 and based in Jupiter, Florida.

Cara

Series A in 2019
Cara by HiDoc Technologies is a Berlin-based pharmaceutical company established in 2015 that focuses on empowering patients with chronic digestive diseases. The company develops digital therapeutics aimed at enhancing existing therapies for gastrointestinal disorders. Cara's primary offering is a virtual health advising application that allows users to maintain a personal food and symptom diary. This application enables patients to track their dietary choices and record symptoms such as pain and bloating, helping them identify patterns related to their health. By providing tools for self-monitoring and understanding their conditions, Cara seeks to facilitate better health management for individuals suffering from digestive issues.

Blackthorn Therapeutics

Series B in 2019
BlackThorn Therapeutics operator of a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company intended to develop precision medicine for disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) based on advances in computational and clinical neuroscience. The company leverages a deep understanding of brain and behavior relationships that seeks to overcome historic challenges in drug discovery and development by targeting dysfunctional brain circuits. Its proprietary computational platform, the company seeks to identify novel targets, small molecule drug candidates and biologically-based patient subgroups most likely to respond to treatment.

TechsoMed

Venture Round in 2019
TechsoMed is an Israeli based medical device company, developing ultrasound based real-time monitoring systems for thermal ablation procedures. The applications of thermal ablation are numerous: tumor destruction, heart arrhythmia, blood pressure treatments and more. The procedure has market size in the billions, but lacks real-time monitoring capabilities, causing high failure rates. Their technology offers added value to patients, physicians and insurance companies by solving the high failure rate of these minimally invasive and cost effective procedures.

Cala Health

Series C in 2019
Cala Health, Inc. is a bioelectronic medicine company focused on developing innovative therapies for chronic diseases. Based in Burlingame, California, the company specializes in wearable neuromodulation devices that utilize advancements in neuroscience and technology to provide individualized peripheral nerve stimulation. Its flagship product, Cala Trio, is a non-invasive therapy designed to offer relief from hand tremors in adults with essential tremor, a condition affecting millions. In addition to its current offerings, Cala Health is actively developing new therapeutic solutions in the fields of neurology, cardiology, and psychiatry, aiming to enhance the standard of care for patients with chronic conditions. Founded in 2013, the company has garnered support from prominent investors in both the healthcare and technology sectors.

Fusion Pharmaceuticals

Series B in 2019
Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical-stage oncology company, focuses on developing radiopharmaceuticals as precision medicines. The company has developed Targeted Alpha Therapies platform together with its proprietary Fast-Clear linker technology to enable us to connect alpha particle emitting isotopes to antibodies and other targeting molecules in order to selectively deliver the alpha particle payloads to tumors. Its lead product candidate is FPI-1434 that is in Phase 1 clinical trials as a monotherapy in patients with solid tumors expressing insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor. The company is also conducting additional preclinical studies of FPI-1434 in combination with approved checkpoint inhibitors and DNA damage response inhibitors to further assess the anti-tumor activity, and dosing schedule and pharmacodynamics of the combinations. In addition, it is progressing its earlier-stage product candidate, FPI-1966 into clinical development for the treatment of head and neck, and bladder cancers expressing fibroblast growth factor receptor. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Canada.

Vor Biopharma

Series A in 2019
Vor Biopharma, Inc. develops engineered hematopoietic stem cell (eHSC) therapies for cancer patients. It offers VOR33, an eHSC product candidate that is in preclinical development to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The company’s VOR33 eHSCs lacks CD33, a protein that is expressed by AML cancer cells. Vor Biopharma, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Ribon Therapeutics

Series B in 2019
Ribon Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Lexington, Massachusetts, founded in 2015. The company is focused on developing innovative cancer therapies that target monoPARP proteins, which are essential regulators of cancer cell survival. Ribon's scientific founders have made significant contributions to the understanding of PARPs, or poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, and their roles in cancer. Leveraging this expertise, Ribon is establishing a proprietary drug discovery platform aimed at exploring the molecular actions and biological functions of monoPARPs. This platform supports the creation of a pipeline of therapeutics that selectively target these proteins to potentially treat cancer and other diseases. Ribon Therapeutics is supported by notable life science investors, enhancing its capability to advance its research and development efforts.

CuraSen Therapeutics

Series A in 2018
CuraSen Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The company specializes in small molecule drugs that target a novel mechanism in the brain, aiming to restore function, improve symptoms, and modify the progression of conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and less common orphan neurodegenerative disorders. Founded in 2016, CuraSen Therapeutics is headquartered in Los Altos, California.

PhaseBio

Series D in 2018
PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Malvern, Pennsylvania, focused on developing innovative therapies for cardiopulmonary diseases. Its lead product candidate, PB2452, is a reversal agent for the antiplatelet drug ticagrelor and is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials for patients experiencing uncontrolled bleeding or requiring urgent surgery. The company is also advancing PB1046, a fusion protein aimed at treating pulmonary arterial hypertension, which is in Phase IIb clinical trials. Additionally, PhaseBio is developing PB6440, an oral agent intended for the treatment of resistant hypertension. Founded in 2002, the company leverages proprietary recombinant biopolymers to enhance the stability and efficacy of its drug candidates.

OrthoSpin

Venture Round in 2018
OrthoSpin Limited, founded in 2014 and based in Misgav, Israel, specializes in the development of an innovative robotic external fixation system designed to enhance treatment for patients with bone injuries and limb deformities. The company’s dynamic external fixators offer a significant improvement over traditional systems, which are often cumbersome and painful. OrthoSpin’s system features a lightweight motorized strut and a control box integrated into a circular hexapod fixation frame, allowing for automatic and continuous pre-programmed adjustments without requiring patient involvement. This smart system not only ensures adherence to prescribed treatment plans but also enables real-time monitoring of patient progress through proprietary software. By facilitating timely adjustments to treatment schedules, OrthoSpin aims to reduce complications and improve clinical outcomes for orthopedic patients, thereby accelerating their recovery process.

S-Biomedic

Series A in 2018
S-Biomedic is a Belgian biotech company specializing in live probiotic cosmetics designed to improve skin health. The company focuses on the skin microbiome, a complex ecosystem of beneficial and harmful bacteria that plays a crucial role in skin conditions such as acne, eczema, rosacea, and aging. S-Biomedic employs advanced modulation-based technology to selectively harness beneficial bacteria, creating products that promote the rebalancing of the skin microbiome. By utilizing the latest advancements in microbiology and dermatology, their offerings aim to restore healthy skin and address various dermatological concerns. Through this innovative approach, S-Biomedic provides therapeutic solutions in both the dermatology and cosmetic sectors, enhancing the overall health and beauty of the skin.

Syndesi Therapeutics

Series A in 2018
Syndesi Therapeutics SA is a biopharmaceutical company based in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, founded in 2018. The company focuses on developing drug molecules that modulate the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, which is crucial for synaptic transmission—the process that facilitates communication between neurons in the brain. By regulating this transmission, Syndesi aims to create effective treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease and other cognitive impairment disorders. The company holds an exclusive license to its innovative platform technology from UCB, a leader in SV2A research. Through its efforts, Syndesi Therapeutics seeks to provide healthcare providers with advanced therapeutic options for managing these challenging conditions.

On Target Laboratories

Series B in 2017
On Target Laboratories, LLC engages in discovering, developing, and commercializing small molecules that target specific pathological cells, when conjugated with fluorescent dyes. It offers folate and other targeting agents that target, lung, uterine, kidney, breast, colon, pancreatic, and prostate cancer cells. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is based in Northbrook, Illinois.

Pulmocide

Series B in 2017
Pulmocide Ltd is a London-based company established in 2007 that specializes in developing inhaled medicines aimed at treating serious viral and fungal infections of the respiratory tract. The company focuses on creating a new generation of antifungal drugs tailored for inhalation, which enhances the delivery of medication directly to the lungs while reducing systemic exposure. This targeted approach is designed to improve efficacy against respiratory aspergillosis and minimize systemic toxicities, thereby offering safe and effective treatment options for patients with acute and chronic respiratory diseases.

Protagonist Pty Ltd

Series C in 2015
Protagonist Pty Ltd is a biotechnology company based in Brisbane, Australia, focused on developing innovative therapeutics for inflammatory and metabolic conditions. The company specializes in discovering peptide and small molecule compounds that mimic or inhibit protein-protein interactions relevant to therapeutic applications. Protagonist Pty Ltd also aims to identify drug candidates for targets that have traditionally been resistant to small molecule discovery, creating arrays of molecules that explore biologically-relevant chemical diversity. Originally founded as Cytokine Mimetics Pty Ltd in 2001, it operates as a subsidiary of Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops peptide-based products to address unmet medical needs, particularly in hematology and gastroenterology. Protagonist Therapeutics has a portfolio that includes drug candidates in various stages of clinical trials for conditions such as beta-thalassemia and inflammatory bowel disease.

Cala Health

Series A in 2014
Cala Health, Inc. is a bioelectronic medicine company focused on developing innovative therapies for chronic diseases. Based in Burlingame, California, the company specializes in wearable neuromodulation devices that utilize advancements in neuroscience and technology to provide individualized peripheral nerve stimulation. Its flagship product, Cala Trio, is a non-invasive therapy designed to offer relief from hand tremors in adults with essential tremor, a condition affecting millions. In addition to its current offerings, Cala Health is actively developing new therapeutic solutions in the fields of neurology, cardiology, and psychiatry, aiming to enhance the standard of care for patients with chronic conditions. Founded in 2013, the company has garnered support from prominent investors in both the healthcare and technology sectors.
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