Mission BioCapital

Alessa Therapeutics, Inc. is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company based in San Francisco, California, focused on developing localized treatments for solid organ diseases. Founded in 2018, the company specializes in a drug delivery implantable system specifically designed to treat prostate cancer. This innovative system allows for the sustained and localized administration of anti-androgen drugs directly to the tumor in the prostate, minimizing systemic exposure and enhancing treatment efficacy. By concentrating on localized therapies, Alessa Therapeutics aims to improve patient outcomes in the management of various organ diseases.

Nuvig Therapeutics focuses on developing innovative therapies aimed at restoring immune homeostasis and rebalancing immune function. The company is dedicated to creating a pipeline of novel immune therapeutics specifically targeting chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. By harnessing natural mechanisms to modulate immune responses, Nuvig seeks to enhance treatment options for patients, ultimately improving their health outcomes.

Bullseye Bio is a biotechnology company specializing in drug discovery services. It operates a therapeutics discovery platform designed to generate scalable data for machine learning, with a focus on unlocking the therapeutic potential of intracellular protein-protein interactions. The company's pipeline includes treatments for cardiometabolic, inflammation, and oncology indications, aiming to provide life-saving therapies for high-need conditions.

NuCyRNA Therapeutics aims to refine RNA-targeting therapeutics based on a novel oligonucleotide platform, with an initial focus on CNS diseases.

Cloverleaf Bio specializes in the development of an innovative RNA therapeutic platform focused on oncology. This platform enables the direct inhibition of cancer-promoting enzymes using a single therapeutic molecule, offering a novel approach to improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment.

March Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in cell therapies for hematological cancers. It focuses on developing CAR-T cell therapies, with its lead product, MB-105, targeting CD5 in refractory T-cell lymphoma and leukemia. The company's approach involves biologically informed target selection, simplified CAR-T engineering, and a streamlined manufacturing process to ensure cell functionality and consistency.

ImmunOs Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel human immunomodulatory proteins and therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company aims to enhance cancer treatment by leveraging proteins with direct anti-tumor effects that remodel the tumor microenvironment and by developing antibodies that block activation of specific HLA molecules implicated in autoimmune conditions. Founded in 2014 and based in Schlieren, Switzerland, ImmunOs Therapeutics pursues next-generation therapeutics intended to improve outcomes for patients with serious diseases.

Vaxess Technologies is a biotechnology company focused on silk biomaterial platforms for vaccine and therapeutic delivery. It develops the MIMIX microneedle patch for transdermal, sustained-release delivery of vaccines and therapies, designed to improve stability and ease of use, including formulations that do not require cold chain storage. The MATRIX formulation and drying platform supports thermostable vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic products. The company aims to enable long-term immune responses and easier distribution, including in low-resource settings. Its technology supports oncology and infectious disease applications, including therapies that promote durable anti-tumor immunity and improved treatment outcomes. Founded in 2011 and based in Boston, the company positions its platforms to enable stable, targeted delivery and potentially reduce treatment burden for patients.

Aperture Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel therapies for age-related neurodegenerative diseases. It employs a distinctive drug discovery platform that leverages the genetic diversity of patients to identify new disease pathways and drug targets. Currently in the pre-clinical stage, the company operates from a lab incubator, integrating insights from neuroscience and immunology to advance its research. Aperture Therapeutics' approach centers on the significance of genetic diversity in the discovery process, aiming to create more effective treatments for neurodegeneration and neuroimmunology conditions.

QurAlis Corporation is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision therapeutics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. It focuses on drugs that directly target disease-causing genetic alterations using proprietary platforms and biomarkers to identify and treat patients with specific genetic mutations, aiming to halt disease progression and improve outcomes.

Vaxess Technologies is a biotechnology company focused on silk biomaterial platforms for vaccine and therapeutic delivery. It develops the MIMIX microneedle patch for transdermal, sustained-release delivery of vaccines and therapies, designed to improve stability and ease of use, including formulations that do not require cold chain storage. The MATRIX formulation and drying platform supports thermostable vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic products. The company aims to enable long-term immune responses and easier distribution, including in low-resource settings. Its technology supports oncology and infectious disease applications, including therapies that promote durable anti-tumor immunity and improved treatment outcomes. Founded in 2011 and based in Boston, the company positions its platforms to enable stable, targeted delivery and potentially reduce treatment burden for patients.

Vaxess Technologies is a biotechnology company focused on silk biomaterial platforms for vaccine and therapeutic delivery. It develops the MIMIX microneedle patch for transdermal, sustained-release delivery of vaccines and therapies, designed to improve stability and ease of use, including formulations that do not require cold chain storage. The MATRIX formulation and drying platform supports thermostable vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic products. The company aims to enable long-term immune responses and easier distribution, including in low-resource settings. Its technology supports oncology and infectious disease applications, including therapies that promote durable anti-tumor immunity and improved treatment outcomes. Founded in 2011 and based in Boston, the company positions its platforms to enable stable, targeted delivery and potentially reduce treatment burden for patients.

ImmunOs Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel human immunomodulatory proteins and therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company aims to enhance cancer treatment by leveraging proteins with direct anti-tumor effects that remodel the tumor microenvironment and by developing antibodies that block activation of specific HLA molecules implicated in autoimmune conditions. Founded in 2014 and based in Schlieren, Switzerland, ImmunOs Therapeutics pursues next-generation therapeutics intended to improve outcomes for patients with serious diseases.

Nuvig Therapeutics focuses on developing innovative therapies aimed at restoring immune homeostasis and rebalancing immune function. The company is dedicated to creating a pipeline of novel immune therapeutics specifically targeting chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. By harnessing natural mechanisms to modulate immune responses, Nuvig seeks to enhance treatment options for patients, ultimately improving their health outcomes.

Ambagon Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing small-molecule therapeutics for cancer treatment. The company specializes in research aimed at stabilizing the interactions of oncogenic proteins, which are often difficult to modulate with traditional methods. By selectively enhancing the activity of tumor-suppressing proteins associated with transcription factors and oncoproteins, Ambagon aims to provide new therapeutic options for addressing significant unmet clinical needs in oncology. Founded by Christian Ottmann, Lucas Brunsveld, and Michelle Arkin, the company is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions in cancer care.

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.

Glycomine, Inc. is a biotech company based in San Carlos, California, focused on developing nanomedicines for rare genetic disorders, particularly those related to protein and lipid glycosylation. Founded in 2014, the company addresses the significant unmet medical needs of patients suffering from rare diseases, of which approximately 7,000 exist globally, with a majority lacking FDA-approved treatments. Glycomine specializes in creating replacement therapies that combine substrates, enzymes, and proteins with advanced bio-nano materials. These therapeutics are designed to facilitate the targeted delivery of treatment to clinically relevant organs, thereby enhancing the efficacy of care for conditions characterized by metabolic disorders and protein misfolding.

QurAlis Corporation is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision therapeutics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. It focuses on drugs that directly target disease-causing genetic alterations using proprietary platforms and biomarkers to identify and treat patients with specific genetic mutations, aiming to halt disease progression and improve outcomes.

Pandion Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Watertown, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapeutics for patients with autoimmune diseases. The company’s lead product candidate, PT101, is an engineered interleukin-2 variant currently undergoing Phase 1a clinical trials for various autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis and systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition to PT101, Pandion's pipeline includes PT627, a systemic PD-1 agonist in preclinical studies, and two bifunctional molecules, PT001 and PT002, designed to provide tissue-selective immunomodulation by targeting specific adhesion molecules in the gastrointestinal tract. Pandion employs a network-based approach to immune system conceptualization through its TALON drug design platform and collaborates with Astellas Pharma to develop locally acting immunomodulators for pancreatic autoimmune diseases. The company aims to create a new generation of therapeutics that offer enhanced efficacy and safety for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Glycomine, Inc. is a biotech company based in San Carlos, California, focused on developing nanomedicines for rare genetic disorders, particularly those related to protein and lipid glycosylation. Founded in 2014, the company addresses the significant unmet medical needs of patients suffering from rare diseases, of which approximately 7,000 exist globally, with a majority lacking FDA-approved treatments. Glycomine specializes in creating replacement therapies that combine substrates, enzymes, and proteins with advanced bio-nano materials. These therapeutics are designed to facilitate the targeted delivery of treatment to clinically relevant organs, thereby enhancing the efficacy of care for conditions characterized by metabolic disorders and protein misfolding.

Vaxess Technologies is a biotechnology company focused on silk biomaterial platforms for vaccine and therapeutic delivery. It develops the MIMIX microneedle patch for transdermal, sustained-release delivery of vaccines and therapies, designed to improve stability and ease of use, including formulations that do not require cold chain storage. The MATRIX formulation and drying platform supports thermostable vaccine, therapeutic, and diagnostic products. The company aims to enable long-term immune responses and easier distribution, including in low-resource settings. Its technology supports oncology and infectious disease applications, including therapies that promote durable anti-tumor immunity and improved treatment outcomes. Founded in 2011 and based in Boston, the company positions its platforms to enable stable, targeted delivery and potentially reduce treatment burden for patients.

Alessa Therapeutics, Inc. is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company based in San Francisco, California, focused on developing localized treatments for solid organ diseases. Founded in 2018, the company specializes in a drug delivery implantable system specifically designed to treat prostate cancer. This innovative system allows for the sustained and localized administration of anti-androgen drugs directly to the tumor in the prostate, minimizing systemic exposure and enhancing treatment efficacy. By concentrating on localized therapies, Alessa Therapeutics aims to improve patient outcomes in the management of various organ diseases.

Founded in 2008, Photoswitch Biosciences develops innovative tools for drug discovery and safety pharmacology. The company specializes in creating assay systems that enable precise control over ion channel function, facilitating the identification and testing of new drug candidates.

QurAlis Corporation is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision therapeutics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. It focuses on drugs that directly target disease-causing genetic alterations using proprietary platforms and biomarkers to identify and treat patients with specific genetic mutations, aiming to halt disease progression and improve outcomes.

Principia Biopharma Inc. is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in South San Francisco, California, focused on developing innovative therapies for immune-mediated diseases. The company's lead product, rilzabrutinib, is an inhibitor undergoing Phase III clinical trials for pemphigus and pemphigus foliaceus, as well as Phase 1/2 trials for immune thrombocytopenia and Phase 2 trials for IgG4-related disease. Additionally, Principia is developing PRN2246/SAR442168, which is in Phase II for multiple sclerosis and other central nervous system conditions, alongside PRN473, a drug candidate in Phase I trials for immune-mediated diseases. Principia Biopharma maintains a collaboration agreement with Genzyme Corporation for the development of treatments for MS and other CNS diseases. Originally incorporated in 2008, the company is dedicated to addressing significant unmet medical needs in immunology and oncology through its innovative drug development platform.

Alector, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, the company utilizes advanced antibody technology and insights from neuroimmunology and human genetics to create innovative treatments. Alector’s pipeline includes several candidates, such as AL001, which is undergoing phase II clinical trials for frontotemporal dementia, and AL101, currently in phase I trials for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Additionally, AL002 and AL003 are in phase 1b trials for Alzheimer’s disease. The company is actively engaged in research and development, with a total of ten programs at various stages. Alector has formed a strategic collaboration with Adimab, LLC to enhance its antibody research and development capabilities, aiming to efficiently generate and validate antibody drugs that target key disease-related mechanisms.

MagNap Clinical Trial is a U.S.-based company that specializes in developing surgical equipment for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The company has created a minimally invasive device that utilizes magnetic force to prevent airway collapse during sleep. This innovative solution involves a custom, removable neck accessory that contains a magnet, which attracts an internal hyoid magnet with sufficient force to keep the airway open. The implant is discreet and not visible, ensuring comfort and ease of use for patients. By providing advanced surgical tools, MagNap aims to enhance the treatment options available to healthcare professionals addressing OSA.

True North Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2013 as a spin-out of iPierian. The company focuses on developing therapies that target the classical pathway of the immune system's complement system to address rare diseases with high unmet clinical needs. Its lead product, TNT009, is a monoclonal antibody designed to selectively inhibit the classical complement pathway, aiming to treat conditions such as cold agglutinin disease, warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia, antibody-mediated rejection, bullous pemphigoid, and other rare diseases in hematologic, kidney transplant, dermatology, and neurological spaces. True North Therapeutics was acquired by Bioverativ Inc.

Atreca is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops antibody-based immunotherapeutics for various solid tumor types. Its lead product candidate, ATRC-101, is a monoclonal antibody with a novel mechanism of action and target derived from its proprietary discovery platform.

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, that specializes in the development of selective translation regulators for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. Founded in 2012, the company is pioneering a new class of oncology drugs known as selective translation regulator inhibitors (STRIs). These drug candidates specifically target the eIF4F complex and its associated kinase, MNK 1/2, which play critical roles in protein synthesis and are linked to prominent cancer signaling pathways such as PI3K-AKT and RAS-MEK. eFFECTOR's products aim to inhibit pathways that drive tumor growth, survival, and immune evasion by regulating the expression of oncoproteins and immunosuppressive proteins. The lead candidate, tomivosertib, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2b trial for non-small cell lung cancer in combination with pembrolizumab. Additionally, zotatifin, an inhibitor of eIF4A, is undergoing dose-escalation in a Phase 1/2 trial, with further expansion cohorts anticipated. The company also collaborates with Pfizer to advance inhibitors targeting eIF4E.

Zephyrus Biosciences, Inc. is a life science research tools company based in Berkeley, California, founded in 2013. The company specializes in developing and commercializing innovative tools for protein analysis at the single-cell level. Its flagship product, the scWestern System, allows for western blotting on individual cells, a significant advancement in the field of single-cell analysis. By utilizing microfluidics technology, the scWestern system partitions single cells into micro-wells, lyses them, and performs SDS-PAGE separation on each cell lysate. This technology facilitates the identification of cellular subpopulations, the analysis of enriched cell populations post-FACS sorting, and studies on cell signaling and cancer heterogeneity, among other applications. Researchers leverage Zephyrus's products to gain deeper insights into various biological fields, including cancer, stem cells, neurology, and human disease development, ultimately aiming to enhance healthcare outcomes.

Sentieon, Inc. is a bioinformatics company based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2014. It specializes in developing and commercializing cloud-based solutions for the life sciences and clinical markets. Sentieon offers a range of bioinformatics tools designed for processing genomics data with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and quick turnaround times. Its notable products include Sentieon DNAseq, which aids in germline DNA analysis, and Sentieon TNseq, designed for detecting tumor-normal somatic variants. These software-only tools boast scalability and upgradeability, leveraging optimized algorithms to improve computing performance. Sentieon aims to enhance the capabilities of scientists and clinicians by providing precision tools that facilitate comprehensive tumor characterization and other critical bioinformatics processes.