Lightstone Ventures

FIRE1 and is based in Dublin, Ireland, will focus on developing novel therapeutic devices.

Cala Health, Inc. is a bioelectronic medicine company based in Burlingame, California, founded in 2013. It specializes in developing wearable neuromodulation therapies aimed at treating chronic diseases. The company's flagship product, Cala Trio, is a non-invasive prescription therapy designed to provide transient relief from hand tremors in adults with essential tremor. By integrating advancements in neuroscience and technology, Cala Health focuses on delivering individualized peripheral nerve stimulation. In addition to its work on essential tremor, the company is also developing therapies for other neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease, as well as applications in psychiatry, cardiology, and autoimmune disorders.

Amber Therapeutics develops the next-generation of bioelectrical therapies that can sense and adapt as well as stimulate, with the potential to radically improve clinical outcomes in patients with functional disorders of the peripheral nervous system.

Bonito Biosciences is a biotechnology research firm specializing in tissue-selective drug delivery for oligonucleotides and macromolecules.

Reprieve Cardiovascular, Inc. is a medical device company based in Milford, Massachusetts, founded in 2018. The company specializes in developing innovative fluid management technologies aimed at treating congestive heart failure, particularly for patients experiencing acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Its flagship product, Reprieve technology, offers a solution that allows clinicians to precisely control and manage a patient's fluid volume, which is crucial for improving cardiac care and facilitating the decongestion of ADHF patients. Reprieve Cardiovascular operates as a subsidiary of CardioRenal Systems, Inc.

Nimbus Therapeutics, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative medicines for serious diseases, including metabolic disorders, cancer, and immune-inflammatory conditions. The company utilizes advanced computational technologies to create selective and potent small-molecule therapeutics. Among its notable projects is the Nimbus Apollo program, which features the lead candidate NDI-010976, an allosteric inhibitor targeting Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC). This compound is being developed for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and has potential applications in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other diseases. NDI-010976 received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2016, highlighting its significance in the clinical development pipeline. Nimbus Therapeutics has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its research and development capabilities, reinforcing its commitment to advancing treatment options for complex health challenges.

Tagworks Pharmaceuticals is a privately held biotech company based in the Netherlands. Tagworks develops In vivo chemistry to improve the efficacy of cancer therapies and to enable novel approaches in companion diagnostics. The company’s facilities are located at the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen. Founded in 2011, Tagworks is a spin-out of Philips Healthcare, and originates from Philips’ molecular imaging expertise.

Relievant Medsystems, Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing minimally invasive treatments for chronic axial low back pain. The company has created the Intracept procedure, which specifically targets the basivertebral nerve to alleviate chronic vertebrogenic low back pain. By delivering targeted energy into the spine, the Intracept System effectively blocks the transmission of pain signals, providing patients with a low-risk therapeutic option. Founded in 2004, Relievant is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with additional operations in Sunnyvale, California.

FIRE1 and is based in Dublin, Ireland, will focus on developing novel therapeutic devices.

Shoulder Innovations is a medical device company that has developed inset glenoid fixation technology, creating the most robust and stable glenoid platform in the industry. The company's Total Shoulder Replacement System addresses the most significant issue in shoulder arthroplasty: unreliable fixation of the glenoid implant. It also leverages this technology to create simple surgical instrumentation, which reduces operative time and cost. Shoulder Innovations designs and commercializes innovative products that demonstrate the potential for improved patient care and reduced overall cost to the healthcare system. Published results show Shoulder Innovations’ solution provides greater post-surgical implant stability, addressing the leading cause of revision surgery.

Volta Medical is a technology company based in Marseille, France, founded in 2016, that specializes in developing artificial intelligence software for interventional cardiology. The company focuses on aiding cardiologists in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Volta Medical's flagship product utilizes advanced AI algorithms to analyze electrograms and guide mapping catheters during cardiac procedures. This software assists interventional cardiologists by providing real-time insights and step-by-step guidance, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions during patient-specific medical interventions. The company aims to improve the effectiveness of cardiac procedures and the overall management of atrial fibrillation through innovative technological solutions.

Carrick Therapeutics, Ltd., established in 2015 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, focuses on developing innovative cancer therapeutics aimed at transforming cancer treatment. The company targets molecular pathways associated with aggressive and resistant forms of cancer, employing advanced mechanisms to improve treatment outcomes. By enabling the detection of predictive biomarkers, Carrick Therapeutics facilitates the initiation of targeted therapies at early stages, ultimately striving to enhance the lives of cancer patients.

Nimbus Therapeutics, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative medicines for serious diseases, including metabolic disorders, cancer, and immune-inflammatory conditions. The company utilizes advanced computational technologies to create selective and potent small-molecule therapeutics. Among its notable projects is the Nimbus Apollo program, which features the lead candidate NDI-010976, an allosteric inhibitor targeting Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC). This compound is being developed for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and has potential applications in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other diseases. NDI-010976 received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2016, highlighting its significance in the clinical development pipeline. Nimbus Therapeutics has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its research and development capabilities, reinforcing its commitment to advancing treatment options for complex health challenges.

ProVerum Medical is a medtech company focused on developing innovative minimally invasive devices for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Its technology offers a safer and more effective approach to BPH treatment, allowing patients to receive care in a doctor's office or operating room with reduced invasiveness compared to traditional methods. The device addresses the enlargement of the prostate gland, which can lead to urinary difficulties, by being placed inside the urethra to restore normal urinary function. This advancement enables healthcare providers to offer improved treatment options for patients suffering from this condition.

Choiceform is a user experience platform, that provides online questionnaires, data collection, and analysis, helping firms drive decisions.

Vigil Neuroscience Inc. is a therapeutics company focused on microglia, the brain's immune sentinel cells, to address both rare and common neurodegenerative diseases. The company aims to restore the vigilance of microglia to improve patient outcomes. Vigil is advancing its lead candidate, a monoclonal antibody TREM2 agonist, through Phase 1 studies and is also developing an orally available small molecule TREM2 agonist, VG-3927, which is positioned to enter Investigational New Drug (IND) application. Additionally, Vigil is conducting the IGNITE trial, a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study that represents the first interventional trial for patients with adult-onset leukodystrophy. By leveraging modern neuroscience and various therapeutic modalities, Vigil seeks to deliver precision therapies that enhance the lives of patients and their families while expanding its pipeline and supporting the understanding of microglia biology as a critical therapeutic target.

WayCool is an agri-tech company focused on the processing, distribution, and procurement of fresh produce, dairy products, and staples. By utilizing technology and innovative quality management practices, WayCool enhances logistics and distribution services while also increasing farmers' income. The company sources fruits and vegetables primarily from smallholder farmers and aggregators, distributing these products to local shops, modern retail outlets, hotels, restaurants, and catering establishments. Additionally, WayCool operates a retail brand called SunnyBee, which includes physical stores, mobile stores on trucks, and e-commerce platforms. Through these channels, WayCool establishes direct connections between farmers and consumers, ensuring efficient access to fresh, clean, and quality produce. The company also offers a range of high-quality private label products through collaborations with sister companies.

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.

Gemini Therapeutics, Inc. is a precision medicine company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 2015. The company is dedicated to developing innovative therapies for patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and related rare genetic diseases. Gemini Therapeutics focuses on genetically defined conditions, ensuring that their therapeutic candidates are tailored to the specific molecular abnormalities found in patients with significant clinical needs. Their extensive pipeline includes a range of modalities such as monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and gene therapies. Supported by prominent life science investors and global academic collaborations, Gemini Therapeutics aims to create potentially first-in-class therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in the field of ophthalmology.

Ligature Therapeutics is an early-stage biotechnology company focused on developing small molecule therapeutics that target protein degradation to address challenging diseases, particularly cancer. Founded by doctors Alvin Hung, Thomas Keller, and Congbao Kang, the company employs a proprietary Fragment-Based Drug Discovery (FBDD) engine, which allows for efficient development of tumor-selective protein degraders. This innovative approach matches underutilized E3 ligases with specific cancer target proteins, enabling the potential treatment of difficult-to-manage cancers and other intractable diseases. Ligature Therapeutics has garnered initial investment from Lightstone Singapore, a venture fund dedicated to supporting promising biotech initiatives.

Atsena Therapeutics is a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing treatments for inherited retinal diseases that can lead to blindness. Their clinical pipeline includes therapies for conditions such as X-linked retinoschisis and GUCY2D-associated Leber congenital amaurosis. Atsena employs an adeno-associated virus (AAV) technology platform, including a novel spreading capsid, to specifically target these retinal disorders. The company aims to prevent vision loss caused by genetic mutations through innovative ocular gene therapy solutions. With a commitment to advancing treatments for some of the most challenging forms of inherited retinal disease, Atsena Therapeutics seeks to improve the lives of patients affected by these conditions.

Locanabio, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2016. It specializes in developing RNA-targeted gene therapies aimed at treating a range of underserved diseases, particularly in the areas of neuromuscular, neurodegenerative, and retinal conditions. The company's innovative platform focuses on modifying disease-causing RNA, allowing for the identification and correction of specific RNA sequences associated with rare genetic disorders. This approach distinguishes Locanabio's therapies from traditional DNA-targeted methods, offering a unique solution for patients with severe and challenging health issues. The company, which rebranded from Locana, Inc. in July 2020, is dedicated to advancing therapeutic candidates that address significant medical needs.

Tallac Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company based in Burlingame, California, focused on developing innovative immunotherapies for cancer patients. Established in 2018, the company specializes in creating conjugates of antibodies combined with potent toll-like receptor agonists. This approach aims to activate the immune system in a targeted manner, enhancing both innate and adaptive immunity to effectively combat various solid tumor malignancies. By providing advanced treatment options, Tallac Therapeutics seeks to improve patient outcomes in the fight against cancer.

Catamaran Bio is a biotechnology company focused on developing allogeneic immune cell therapies, specifically CAR-NK cell therapies, aimed at treating solid tumors and other cancers. The company utilizes its Tailwind platform to engineer, expand, and process natural killer (NK) cells into off-the-shelf therapeutic products that can address significant unmet medical needs. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Catamaran Bio is committed to providing transformative treatments through genetic engineering of NK cells, enabling easier access for medical practitioners and patients in need of effective cancer therapies.

Shoulder Innovations is a medical device company that has developed inset glenoid fixation technology, creating the most robust and stable glenoid platform in the industry. The company's Total Shoulder Replacement System addresses the most significant issue in shoulder arthroplasty: unreliable fixation of the glenoid implant. It also leverages this technology to create simple surgical instrumentation, which reduces operative time and cost. Shoulder Innovations designs and commercializes innovative products that demonstrate the potential for improved patient care and reduced overall cost to the healthcare system. Published results show Shoulder Innovations’ solution provides greater post-surgical implant stability, addressing the leading cause of revision surgery.

Relievant Medsystems, Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing minimally invasive treatments for chronic axial low back pain. The company has created the Intracept procedure, which specifically targets the basivertebral nerve to alleviate chronic vertebrogenic low back pain. By delivering targeted energy into the spine, the Intracept System effectively blocks the transmission of pain signals, providing patients with a low-risk therapeutic option. Founded in 2004, Relievant is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with additional operations in Sunnyvale, California.

Alchemab Therapeutics Ltd is a biotechnology company based in London, established in 2019 by Uri Laserson and Jane Osbourn. The company focuses on discovering and developing novel therapeutics that utilize naturally protective antibodies to combat hard-to-treat diseases, including certain cancers, neurodegenerative conditions, and infectious diseases. Alchemab employs an unbiased, function-first approach to identify drug targets, leveraging three complementary processes and technologies to create a robust pipeline of antibody therapeutics. By harnessing these naturally occurring antibodies, Alchemab aims to provide innovative treatment options for patients facing challenging medical conditions.

Willow, founded in 2014 and based in Mountain View, California, is a company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of wearable breast pumps and related breastfeeding products. The company offers a range of items including in-bra breast pumps, milk bags, replacement parts, pumping bras, and accessories like flanges and chargers. Willow's breast pumps are designed to be mobile and hands-free, allowing mothers to pump discreetly and conveniently. The devices are cordless, spill-proof, and equipped with a mobile application that tracks milk output, facilitating a hassle-free pumping experience for mothers on the go.

Cerevance LLC is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics for neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other chronic neurodegenerative conditions. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an additional office in Cambridge, United Kingdom, the company utilizes its NETSseq platform to profile specific brain cell types, including neurons and glial cells, using a repository of over 15,000 human brain tissue samples. This platform provides detailed expression and epigenetic data, allowing Cerevance to identify promising therapeutic targets for central nervous system diseases. Through its research, the company aims to advance new medicines that can potentially address the underlying mechanisms of these debilitating conditions.

Ummeed Housing Finance is a housing finance company that provides home loans and loan against property to lower and middle income families. The company aims to help people with informal incomes, who have limited access to organized finance and who constitute significant portion of the Indian population. Ummeed Housing Finance's services include issuance of home loans and loan against property to improve operational efficiency and reduce turnaround time for customers, enabling low and middle income households to get access to affordable housing loans in an innovative and personalized manner.

ALX Oncology is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company based in Burlingame, California, established in 2015. The company specializes in developing innovative therapies for cancer, particularly through its lead product candidate, ALX148, which targets the CD47 protein. This therapeutic aims to enhance the immune system's ability to detect and eliminate cancer cells, which often use CD47 as a mechanism to evade immune response. ALX148 is being investigated for its potential in treating various hematologic malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia, as well as solid tumors such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and HER2-positive gastric cancer. The company’s research is rooted in advanced protein engineering, with a focus on creating next-generation therapies that minimize the hematologic toxicities associated with traditional CD47 blocking strategies.

Willow, founded in 2014 and based in Mountain View, California, is a company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of wearable breast pumps and related breastfeeding products. The company offers a range of items including in-bra breast pumps, milk bags, replacement parts, pumping bras, and accessories like flanges and chargers. Willow's breast pumps are designed to be mobile and hands-free, allowing mothers to pump discreetly and conveniently. The devices are cordless, spill-proof, and equipped with a mobile application that tracks milk output, facilitating a hassle-free pumping experience for mothers on the go.

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.

Bold Penguin is a commercial insurance exchange that connects customers, agents, and carriers to match the right quote in record time. With a heavy focus on the agents, Bold Penguin pushes the boundaries of user experience for businesses, an easy tool for agents, and a streamlined process of underwriting for carriers. The company operates an Exchange which utilizes a set of solutions to identify, triage, quote, and bind commercial insurance in a highly efficient and tech-enabled way. It plans to deliver on the platform enhancements which include more flexibility in how the core technology is leveraged by enterprise customers, expanding in excess and surplus lines. The Company offers a streamlined process of underwriting for carriers in commercial property and casualty insurance services. Bold Penguin was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Locanabio, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2016. It specializes in developing RNA-targeted gene therapies aimed at treating a range of underserved diseases, particularly in the areas of neuromuscular, neurodegenerative, and retinal conditions. The company's innovative platform focuses on modifying disease-causing RNA, allowing for the identification and correction of specific RNA sequences associated with rare genetic disorders. This approach distinguishes Locanabio's therapies from traditional DNA-targeted methods, offering a unique solution for patients with severe and challenging health issues. The company, which rebranded from Locana, Inc. in July 2020, is dedicated to advancing therapeutic candidates that address significant medical needs.

Cala Health, Inc. is a bioelectronic medicine company based in Burlingame, California, founded in 2013. It specializes in developing wearable neuromodulation therapies aimed at treating chronic diseases. The company's flagship product, Cala Trio, is a non-invasive prescription therapy designed to provide transient relief from hand tremors in adults with essential tremor. By integrating advancements in neuroscience and technology, Cala Health focuses on delivering individualized peripheral nerve stimulation. In addition to its work on essential tremor, the company is also developing therapies for other neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease, as well as applications in psychiatry, cardiology, and autoimmune disorders.

Nuvaira is a new alternative COPD treatment option that specializes in developing devices for treating lung diseases. Nuvaira is currently working on a novel catheter-based system that has the potential to improve lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It was founded in 2008 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Allay Therapeutics is focused on developing innovative pain management solutions aimed at improving post-surgical recovery for patients. The company utilizes a proprietary technology platform that integrates validated non-opioid analgesics with biopolymers to create dissolvable therapeutic products. These products are designed to deliver targeted pain relief at the surgical site over extended periods, significantly longer than conventional pain treatments. Allay's lead investigational product, ATX101, is currently undergoing evaluation in a Phase 2 clinical trial for total knee arthroplasty surgeries. With a team of experienced entrepreneurs, scientists, and clinicians based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Singapore, Allay Therapeutics is dedicated to transforming the approach to pain management and addressing the limitations associated with opioid use.

Earlens is a medical technology company focused on improving the hearing experience for individuals with hearing loss. It has created the Earlens Contact Hearing Solution, a unique device that directly stimulates the eardrum using a small lens, replicating the natural hearing process. Unlike conventional hearing aids that amplify sound, the Earlens solution delivers sound directly to the eardrum, providing superior sound quality and a broader bandwidth. This innovative, non-surgical approach allows for automatic adjustments in challenging listening environments while minimizing feedback. The technology received FDA clearance in 2019 for its second generation, marking a significant advancement in hearing solutions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for those with hearing impairment.

Relievant Medsystems, Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing minimally invasive treatments for chronic axial low back pain. The company has created the Intracept procedure, which specifically targets the basivertebral nerve to alleviate chronic vertebrogenic low back pain. By delivering targeted energy into the spine, the Intracept System effectively blocks the transmission of pain signals, providing patients with a low-risk therapeutic option. Founded in 2004, Relievant is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with additional operations in Sunnyvale, California.

Nimbus Therapeutics, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative medicines for serious diseases, including metabolic disorders, cancer, and immune-inflammatory conditions. The company utilizes advanced computational technologies to create selective and potent small-molecule therapeutics. Among its notable projects is the Nimbus Apollo program, which features the lead candidate NDI-010976, an allosteric inhibitor targeting Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC). This compound is being developed for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and has potential applications in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other diseases. NDI-010976 received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2016, highlighting its significance in the clinical development pipeline. Nimbus Therapeutics has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its research and development capabilities, reinforcing its commitment to advancing treatment options for complex health challenges.

Medisix Therapeutics is a Singapore-based immune engineering company developing novel cellular therapies to address T cell malignancies. Their technology platform originates from world expert in translational immunology, Professor Dario Campana, MD, PhD, a physician scientist who pioneered chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) biology. Their programs utilize proprietary immune engineering approaches that enable T cell leukemias and lymphomas to be targeted with cell therapy.

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.

FIRE1 and is based in Dublin, Ireland, will focus on developing novel therapeutic devices.

Gemini Therapeutics, Inc. is a precision medicine company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 2015. The company is dedicated to developing innovative therapies for patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and related rare genetic diseases. Gemini Therapeutics focuses on genetically defined conditions, ensuring that their therapeutic candidates are tailored to the specific molecular abnormalities found in patients with significant clinical needs. Their extensive pipeline includes a range of modalities such as monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and gene therapies. Supported by prominent life science investors and global academic collaborations, Gemini Therapeutics aims to create potentially first-in-class therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in the field of ophthalmology.

Disarm Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics for patients suffering from neurological diseases. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company aims to create disease-modifying drugs that prevent axonal degeneration, which is a key factor in various neurological disorders. Disarm's portfolio addresses conditions such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, glaucoma, and peripheral neuropathies, providing potential treatments for acute diseases affecting the central, ocular, and peripheral nervous systems. As of late 2020, Disarm Therapeutics operates as a subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company.

Earlens is a medical technology company focused on improving the hearing experience for individuals with hearing loss. It has created the Earlens Contact Hearing Solution, a unique device that directly stimulates the eardrum using a small lens, replicating the natural hearing process. Unlike conventional hearing aids that amplify sound, the Earlens solution delivers sound directly to the eardrum, providing superior sound quality and a broader bandwidth. This innovative, non-surgical approach allows for automatic adjustments in challenging listening environments while minimizing feedback. The technology received FDA clearance in 2019 for its second generation, marking a significant advancement in hearing solutions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for those with hearing impairment.

Cerevance LLC is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics for neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other chronic neurodegenerative conditions. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an additional office in Cambridge, United Kingdom, the company utilizes its NETSseq platform to profile specific brain cell types, including neurons and glial cells, using a repository of over 15,000 human brain tissue samples. This platform provides detailed expression and epigenetic data, allowing Cerevance to identify promising therapeutic targets for central nervous system diseases. Through its research, the company aims to advance new medicines that can potentially address the underlying mechanisms of these debilitating conditions.

ALX Oncology is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company based in Burlingame, California, established in 2015. The company specializes in developing innovative therapies for cancer, particularly through its lead product candidate, ALX148, which targets the CD47 protein. This therapeutic aims to enhance the immune system's ability to detect and eliminate cancer cells, which often use CD47 as a mechanism to evade immune response. ALX148 is being investigated for its potential in treating various hematologic malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia, as well as solid tumors such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and HER2-positive gastric cancer. The company’s research is rooted in advanced protein engineering, with a focus on creating next-generation therapies that minimize the hematologic toxicities associated with traditional CD47 blocking strategies.

Allay Therapeutics is focused on developing innovative pain management solutions aimed at improving post-surgical recovery for patients. The company utilizes a proprietary technology platform that integrates validated non-opioid analgesics with biopolymers to create dissolvable therapeutic products. These products are designed to deliver targeted pain relief at the surgical site over extended periods, significantly longer than conventional pain treatments. Allay's lead investigational product, ATX101, is currently undergoing evaluation in a Phase 2 clinical trial for total knee arthroplasty surgeries. With a team of experienced entrepreneurs, scientists, and clinicians based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Singapore, Allay Therapeutics is dedicated to transforming the approach to pain management and addressing the limitations associated with opioid use.

Cerevance LLC is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics for neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other chronic neurodegenerative conditions. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an additional office in Cambridge, United Kingdom, the company utilizes its NETSseq platform to profile specific brain cell types, including neurons and glial cells, using a repository of over 15,000 human brain tissue samples. This platform provides detailed expression and epigenetic data, allowing Cerevance to identify promising therapeutic targets for central nervous system diseases. Through its research, the company aims to advance new medicines that can potentially address the underlying mechanisms of these debilitating conditions.

Carrick Therapeutics, Ltd., established in 2015 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, focuses on developing innovative cancer therapeutics aimed at transforming cancer treatment. The company targets molecular pathways associated with aggressive and resistant forms of cancer, employing advanced mechanisms to improve treatment outcomes. By enabling the detection of predictive biomarkers, Carrick Therapeutics facilitates the initiation of targeted therapies at early stages, ultimately striving to enhance the lives of cancer patients.

Earlens is a medical technology company focused on improving the hearing experience for individuals with hearing loss. It has created the Earlens Contact Hearing Solution, a unique device that directly stimulates the eardrum using a small lens, replicating the natural hearing process. Unlike conventional hearing aids that amplify sound, the Earlens solution delivers sound directly to the eardrum, providing superior sound quality and a broader bandwidth. This innovative, non-surgical approach allows for automatic adjustments in challenging listening environments while minimizing feedback. The technology received FDA clearance in 2019 for its second generation, marking a significant advancement in hearing solutions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for those with hearing impairment.

Gemini Therapeutics, Inc. is a precision medicine company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 2015. The company is dedicated to developing innovative therapies for patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and related rare genetic diseases. Gemini Therapeutics focuses on genetically defined conditions, ensuring that their therapeutic candidates are tailored to the specific molecular abnormalities found in patients with significant clinical needs. Their extensive pipeline includes a range of modalities such as monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and gene therapies. Supported by prominent life science investors and global academic collaborations, Gemini Therapeutics aims to create potentially first-in-class therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in the field of ophthalmology.

FIRE1 and is based in Dublin, Ireland, will focus on developing novel therapeutic devices.

The company is establishing collaborations with its scientific founders “to better understand whether regulatory T cells play a more prominent role in certain tumors,” he added. Although research suggests that Tregs cells play a more prominent role in creating immunosuppression in the microenvironment in some tumor types than others, “quite honestly, the data are lacking. One of the ways we’re going to differentiate the company is to understand that relationship better.

Cala Health, Inc. is a bioelectronic medicine company based in Burlingame, California, founded in 2013. It specializes in developing wearable neuromodulation therapies aimed at treating chronic diseases. The company's flagship product, Cala Trio, is a non-invasive prescription therapy designed to provide transient relief from hand tremors in adults with essential tremor. By integrating advancements in neuroscience and technology, Cala Health focuses on delivering individualized peripheral nerve stimulation. In addition to its work on essential tremor, the company is also developing therapies for other neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease, as well as applications in psychiatry, cardiology, and autoimmune disorders.

Elcelyx was founded in 2010 with venture capital backing based on Gut Sensory Modulation (GSM) technology. Elcelyx’s proprietary, first-in-class Gut Sensory Modulators are delivered directly to the lower gut where they act on molecular targets to elicit physiological and pharmacological effects. The Elcelyx proprietary product candidate, NewMet for Type 2 diabetes is entering Phase 2b development and is a blockbuster opportunity designed to address the unmet needs in the oral anti-diabetic market. Elcelyx is led by an experienced management team and Board of Directors with track records of success in drug development and commercialization. Premier investors along with seasoned scientists and clinicians support the team. In September 2013, Elcelyx announced the formation of NaZura BioHealth Inc, a separate company established to focus on the development on non-NewMet assets. Elcelyx is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing therapeutics for diseases associated with the overactivation of the complement system. Utilizing a peptide chemistry platform, the company creates synthetic macrocyclic peptides that combine the specificity of antibodies with the pharmacological advantages of small molecules. Its lead candidate, Zilucoplan, is an injectable treatment that has completed Phase II clinical trials for generalized myasthenia gravis and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, along with a Phase Ib trial for patients with renal impairment. Additionally, Ra Pharmaceuticals is advancing pre-clinical programs targeting Factor D inhibition for C3 glomerulonephritis and other complement factors for various diseases. The company has established a collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc. to explore orally available cyclic peptides for non-complement cardiovascular targets. Founded in 2008, Ra Pharmaceuticals operates as a subsidiary of UCB SA.

Nimbus Therapeutics, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative medicines for serious diseases, including metabolic disorders, cancer, and immune-inflammatory conditions. The company utilizes advanced computational technologies to create selective and potent small-molecule therapeutics. Among its notable projects is the Nimbus Apollo program, which features the lead candidate NDI-010976, an allosteric inhibitor targeting Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC). This compound is being developed for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and has potential applications in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other diseases. NDI-010976 received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2016, highlighting its significance in the clinical development pipeline. Nimbus Therapeutics has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its research and development capabilities, reinforcing its commitment to advancing treatment options for complex health challenges.

Nimbus Therapeutics, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative medicines for serious diseases, including metabolic disorders, cancer, and immune-inflammatory conditions. The company utilizes advanced computational technologies to create selective and potent small-molecule therapeutics. Among its notable projects is the Nimbus Apollo program, which features the lead candidate NDI-010976, an allosteric inhibitor targeting Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC). This compound is being developed for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and has potential applications in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other diseases. NDI-010976 received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2016, highlighting its significance in the clinical development pipeline. Nimbus Therapeutics has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its research and development capabilities, reinforcing its commitment to advancing treatment options for complex health challenges.

ALX Oncology is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company based in Burlingame, California, established in 2015. The company specializes in developing innovative therapies for cancer, particularly through its lead product candidate, ALX148, which targets the CD47 protein. This therapeutic aims to enhance the immune system's ability to detect and eliminate cancer cells, which often use CD47 as a mechanism to evade immune response. ALX148 is being investigated for its potential in treating various hematologic malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia, as well as solid tumors such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and HER2-positive gastric cancer. The company’s research is rooted in advanced protein engineering, with a focus on creating next-generation therapies that minimize the hematologic toxicities associated with traditional CD47 blocking strategies.

Flex Pharma, Inc. is a biotechnology company that is developing innovative and proprietary treatments for nocturnal leg cramps, cramps and spasms associated.

Claret Medical, Inc. is a medical device company specializing in cerebral vascular protection systems designed to mitigate the risk of stroke during transcatheter aortic valve implantation and other endovascular procedures. Established in 2009 and headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, the company's flagship products include the Claret Medical Sentinel Cerebral Protection System and the Claret Medical Montage, both of which serve as embolic protection devices. These systems utilize small catheters, which are inserted through an artery in the patient's arm and positioned near the heart, to capture and remove embolic debris that may be dislodged during procedures. By preventing this debris from entering the cerebral vascular system, Claret Medical's products aim to enhance patient safety during high-risk cardiovascular interventions. The company operates as a subsidiary of Boston Scientific Corporation.

FIRE1 and is based in Dublin, Ireland, will focus on developing novel therapeutic devices.

Astria Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to developing innovative therapies for rare and niche allergic and immunological diseases. The company focuses on bringing life-changing treatments to patients and families affected by these conditions. Its lead program, STAR-0215, is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits plasma kallikrein and is currently in preclinical development for hereditary angioedema. Additionally, Astria is developing STAR-0310, a monoclonal antibody OX40 antagonist, which is also in preclinical stages and targets atopic dermatitis, an immune disorder characterized by compromised skin barrier function and associated itching.