Polaris Partners is a multibillion-dollar investment firm founded in 1996 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an additional office in San Francisco. The firm specializes in investing in healthcare and biotechnology companies, focusing on various aspects of the sector. Its healthcare portfolio includes companies that develop innovative care delivery models, such as digital health solutions, consumer-centric services, patient-provider interactions, as well as data science and analytics. In the biotechnology realm, Polaris targets life sciences firms engaged in research and development of therapeutics, genomic technologies, and molecular platforms. With over 20 years of experience, Polaris Partners collaborates with repeat entrepreneurs and innovators, supporting ventures from their inception through to profitable growth.
Auron Therapeutics is to develop therapies to cure cancer by radically changing the paradigm of cancer therapeutics from cell killing, to transformation of malignant cells into normal cells. This transformation, called differentiation therapy, reactivates endogenous cellular programs to elicit tumor cell maturation and the transition from cancer to normal tissue. Its unique platforms allow for integration of large-omic datasets and miniaturized high throughput flow cytometry to rapidly identify and validate multiple targets and drugs in primary human patient samples.
Sunbird Bio
Venture Round in 2024
Sunbird Bio is a diagnostics platform developer focused on advancing molecular diagnostics to deliver faster and more accurate results. Founded by Huilin Shao, the company specializes in detecting a wide array of diseases, including infectious diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. By enabling early diagnosis, Sunbird Bio aims to enhance healthcare outcomes and support physicians in making informed decisions. The platform is designed to improve clarity and accessibility in diagnostic testing, thereby contributing to better patient care.
Livara
Series B in 2024
Livara Health specializes in non-operative, personalized treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, focusing primarily on back and neck pain. The company has developed an orthopedic care management platform that provides a comprehensive, data-driven approach to pain relief. This platform assesses patients' needs and customizes a six-week treatment program, which includes physical therapy coaching and addiction treatment options. Livara aims to help individuals alleviate their musculoskeletal issues through both online and onsite therapy, eliminating the need for surgical interventions.
Seismic Therapeutic
Series B in 2023
Seismic Therapeutic is a biotechnology company focused on accelerating immunology drug development through the integration of machine learning in the biologics discovery process. Its IMPACT™ platform addresses key challenges in biologics discovery by combining structural biology, protein engineering, and translational immunology. This innovative approach aims to create optimized therapies more efficiently, ultimately benefiting patients with autoimmune diseases and disorders linked to adaptive immune system dysregulation. With a robust pipeline of biologics, Seismic Therapeutic is committed to enhancing the speed and efficacy of drug development in the field of immunology.
EpiBiologics
Series A in 2023
EpiBiologics focuses on developing antibody-based targeted therapies aimed at membrane and extracellular proteins that contribute to various diseases. The company utilizes its EpiTAC platform to create therapeutics that degrade these disease-driving proteins, addressing the underlying biology of disorders. By specializing in protein degradation, EpiBiologics enables researchers to manipulate cellular proteostasis, offering potential solutions for a wide range of medical conditions.
Larkspur Biosciences
Series A in 2023
Larkspur Biosciences is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing precision immunotherapies aimed at improving cancer treatment outcomes. The company focuses on addressing how tumors manipulate the immune system, creating therapies tailored for specific molecularly defined patient groups. By targeting the critical interactions between tumors and the immune system, Larkspur's approach seeks to enhance patients' immune responses, particularly in colorectal cancer and other malignancies. This strategic focus aims to overcome existing challenges that allow tumors to evade immune detection and attack, thereby advancing the efficacy of cancer therapies.
EpiBiologics
Series A in 2023
EpiBiologics focuses on developing antibody-based targeted therapies aimed at membrane and extracellular proteins that contribute to various diseases. The company utilizes its EpiTAC platform to create therapeutics that degrade these disease-driving proteins, addressing the underlying biology of disorders. By specializing in protein degradation, EpiBiologics enables researchers to manipulate cellular proteostasis, offering potential solutions for a wide range of medical conditions.
Noema Pharma
Series B in 2023
Noema Pharma AG is a biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2019. The company focuses on developing therapeutic products and therapies for orphan neurological disorders characterized by imbalanced neuronal networks. Its research and development efforts aim to address disabling symptoms in conditions affecting the nervous system, including Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and Tourette syndrome. By creating novel therapies, Noema Pharma seeks to improve the quality of life and patient outcomes for individuals suffering from these rare conditions.
Faro Health
Series A in 2023
Faro Health is a developer of a cloud-based medical platform aimed at addressing the complexities of clinical trials. The platform standardizes, automates, and streamlines various challenges associated with clinical studies. By utilizing an integrated clinical development environment, Faro Health simplifies the design and authoring of complex clinical protocols. This system leverages advanced digital protocols to provide intuitive insights during the authoring process, allowing clinical researchers to focus on critical decisions that enhance clinical value while minimizing administrative burdens.
Jnana Therapeutics
Series C in 2022
Jnana Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that focuses on drug discovery through its innovative platform targeting solute carrier (SLC) transporters. Established in 2016, the company aims to improve patient outcomes by developing small molecule therapies for various diseases, including those related to immunometabolism, lysosomal function, and mucosal defense. By utilizing advanced chemoproteomics techniques, Jnana accelerates the identification of therapeutic targets, addressing significant unmet medical needs in areas such as immuno-oncology, inflammatory disorders, and neurological diseases. The company's approach seeks to enhance drug discovery efficiency by comprehensively targeting the vast family of membrane proteins associated with SLC transporters.
Neumora Therapeutics
Series B in 2022
Neumora Therapeutics operates as a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering precision medicines for brain diseases through the integration of data science and neuroscience.
Auron Therapeutics
Series A in 2022
Auron Therapeutics is to develop therapies to cure cancer by radically changing the paradigm of cancer therapeutics from cell killing, to transformation of malignant cells into normal cells. This transformation, called differentiation therapy, reactivates endogenous cellular programs to elicit tumor cell maturation and the transition from cancer to normal tissue. Its unique platforms allow for integration of large-omic datasets and miniaturized high throughput flow cytometry to rapidly identify and validate multiple targets and drugs in primary human patient samples.
CAMP4 Therapeutics
Series B in 2022
CAMP4 Therapeutics Corporation, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializes in bioinformatics and gene regulation circuitry. Founded in 2015, the company has developed a 4-D gene circuitry platform that translates the activation of the human genome's 24,000 genes into a set of combinatorial rules based on existing signaling pathways. This innovative approach allows CAMP4 to control gene expression effectively, addressing the root causes of diseases. By leveraging this gene circuitry code, the company aims to expedite the drug development process, significantly reducing both time and risk associated with bringing new treatments to patients.
Scholar Rock
Post in 2022
Scholar Rock is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative therapies that target dysregulated growth factors within disease microenvironments. Founded in 2012 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company employs a proprietary platform to create monoclonal antibodies that selectively modulate the activation of these signaling proteins. This approach aims to avoid traditional challenges associated with growth factor inhibition while facilitating efficient drug development. Scholar Rock's lead product, SRK-015, is designed as a first-in-class inhibitor of myostatin activation, targeting conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy. The company's pipeline includes additional candidates, such as SRK-181, which inhibits latent transforming growth factor beta-1 for cancer treatment. Scholar Rock's research focuses on serious diseases, including neuromuscular disorders, cancer, fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases, reflecting its commitment to transforming patient outcomes through targeted therapies.
Kallyope
Series D in 2022
Kallyope Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York City that focuses on the gut-brain axis to develop innovative therapeutics and consumer products aimed at enhancing human health. Founded in 2014, Kallyope employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating technologies such as sequencing, computational biology, neural imaging, and human genetics to deepen the understanding of gut-brain biology. This comprehensive understanding enables the company to create effective and well-tolerated oral medications targeting various health issues, including diabetes, obesity, gut disorders, inflammatory diseases, migraines, and allergies. With a team of experienced scientists and a strong foundation in drug discovery, Kallyope aims to address significant unmet medical needs through its research and development efforts.
Dewpoint Therapeutics
Series C in 2022
Dewpoint Therapeutics is a Boston-based biotech company focused on the research and development of treatments targeting biomolecular condensates to address various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and immunological conditions. Founded in 2018, the company employs an innovative drug platform that utilizes machine-learning-based image analysis for visualizing condensates. This technology supports an engine of engineered cell lines designed to track and mitigate harmful protein sequestration. By leveraging its proprietary platform, Dewpoint seeks to facilitate drug discovery across a wide range of medical indications and collaborates with leading academic and pharmaceutical partners to enhance the accessibility of new therapies for unmet healthcare needs.
76Bio
Venture Round in 2022
76Bio is a biotechnology company based in New York that focuses on developing innovative therapies for patients with life-threatening diseases. Founded in 2020, the company specializes in targeted protein degraders, a class of therapeutics designed to selectively degrade unneeded proteins in the body. By leveraging advanced technology, 76Bio aims to create transformational treatments that address critical medical needs, offering hope for improved outcomes in patients suffering from serious health conditions.
Neumora Therapeutics
Series A in 2021
Neumora Therapeutics operates as a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering precision medicines for brain diseases through the integration of data science and neuroscience.
Jnana Therapeutics
Series B in 2021
Jnana Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that focuses on drug discovery through its innovative platform targeting solute carrier (SLC) transporters. Established in 2016, the company aims to improve patient outcomes by developing small molecule therapies for various diseases, including those related to immunometabolism, lysosomal function, and mucosal defense. By utilizing advanced chemoproteomics techniques, Jnana accelerates the identification of therapeutic targets, addressing significant unmet medical needs in areas such as immuno-oncology, inflammatory disorders, and neurological diseases. The company's approach seeks to enhance drug discovery efficiency by comprehensively targeting the vast family of membrane proteins associated with SLC transporters.
CAMP4 Therapeutics
Series A in 2021
CAMP4 Therapeutics Corporation, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializes in bioinformatics and gene regulation circuitry. Founded in 2015, the company has developed a 4-D gene circuitry platform that translates the activation of the human genome's 24,000 genes into a set of combinatorial rules based on existing signaling pathways. This innovative approach allows CAMP4 to control gene expression effectively, addressing the root causes of diseases. By leveraging this gene circuitry code, the company aims to expedite the drug development process, significantly reducing both time and risk associated with bringing new treatments to patients.
Faro Health
Series A in 2021
Faro Health is a developer of a cloud-based medical platform aimed at addressing the complexities of clinical trials. The platform standardizes, automates, and streamlines various challenges associated with clinical studies. By utilizing an integrated clinical development environment, Faro Health simplifies the design and authoring of complex clinical protocols. This system leverages advanced digital protocols to provide intuitive insights during the authoring process, allowing clinical researchers to focus on critical decisions that enhance clinical value while minimizing administrative burdens.
Hummingbird Bioscience
Series C in 2021
Hummingbird Bioscience focuses on the development of innovative therapeutic antibody-based drugs aimed at addressing significant unmet needs in oncology and immuno-oncology. Utilizing a proprietary rational antibody discovery platform, the company leverages systems biology and computational methods to gain insights into disease mechanisms, guiding the discovery and engineering of new biotherapeutics. Hummingbird's pipeline includes promising drug candidates such as HMBD-001, an anti-HER3 antibody, and HMBD-002, an anti-VISTA antibody, both targeting cancer treatment. The company has formed strategic collaborations with organizations like Cancer Research UK and Amgen and has received a product development grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. This collaborative approach enhances Hummingbird's capacity to deliver effective therapies for patients with challenging medical conditions.
Tectonic Therapeutic
Series A in 2021
Tectonic Therapeutic is a biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). By utilizing its proprietary technology platform, GEODe, Tectonic aims to create therapeutic proteins and antibodies that effectively modulate GPCR activity. The company seeks to address the complexities associated with GPCR-targeted drug discovery, focusing on developing biologic medicines that have the potential to alter disease progression. Founded by experts in biochemistry and molecular pharmacology, Tectonic is committed to advancing the therapeutic utility of some of the most challenging receptors in this class.
Amunix
Series B in 2021
Amunix is a biopharmaceutical company intended to discover, design, and develop novel biologics, protein, and peptide therapeutics. The company is focused on developing prodrugs to bring the promise of potent immune-activating biotherapeutics to patients with solid tumor cancers. By delivering breakthrough therapies that can safely harness the immune system, it aims to conquer cancer and save lives. Its pipeline products are based on its proprietary XTEN half-life extension, XDC drug-conjugate delivery, and ProTIA pro-drug, bispecific T cell engager platform and have ongoing collaborations with biopharma corporations harnessing these delivery technologies over a wide range of therapeutic areas, delivering improved pharmaceutical technologies. Amunix was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Mountain View, California.
Livara
Series A in 2021
Livara Health specializes in non-operative, personalized treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, focusing primarily on back and neck pain. The company has developed an orthopedic care management platform that provides a comprehensive, data-driven approach to pain relief. This platform assesses patients' needs and customizes a six-week treatment program, which includes physical therapy coaching and addiction treatment options. Livara aims to help individuals alleviate their musculoskeletal issues through both online and onsite therapy, eliminating the need for surgical interventions.
Auron Therapeutics
Seed Round in 2021
Auron Therapeutics is to develop therapies to cure cancer by radically changing the paradigm of cancer therapeutics from cell killing, to transformation of malignant cells into normal cells. This transformation, called differentiation therapy, reactivates endogenous cellular programs to elicit tumor cell maturation and the transition from cancer to normal tissue. Its unique platforms allow for integration of large-omic datasets and miniaturized high throughput flow cytometry to rapidly identify and validate multiple targets and drugs in primary human patient samples.
Tectonic Therapeutic
Seed Round in 2021
Tectonic Therapeutic is a biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). By utilizing its proprietary technology platform, GEODe, Tectonic aims to create therapeutic proteins and antibodies that effectively modulate GPCR activity. The company seeks to address the complexities associated with GPCR-targeted drug discovery, focusing on developing biologic medicines that have the potential to alter disease progression. Founded by experts in biochemistry and molecular pharmacology, Tectonic is committed to advancing the therapeutic utility of some of the most challenging receptors in this class.
Noema Pharma
Series A in 2020
Noema Pharma AG is a biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2019. The company focuses on developing therapeutic products and therapies for orphan neurological disorders characterized by imbalanced neuronal networks. Its research and development efforts aim to address disabling symptoms in conditions affecting the nervous system, including Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and Tourette syndrome. By creating novel therapies, Noema Pharma seeks to improve the quality of life and patient outcomes for individuals suffering from these rare conditions.
Invivyd
Series B in 2020
Invivyd is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing antibody-based therapies aimed at providing protection against serious viral infectious diseases. The company focuses on creating solutions that go beyond naturally occurring immunity, particularly in response to viral threats with pandemic potential, starting with SARS-CoV-2. Its product pipeline includes ADG20, which is designed for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19, and VYD222, a monoclonal antibody engineered for enhanced potency and broad coverage. By prioritizing rapid and enduring therapeutic options, Invivyd aims to safeguard vulnerable populations from the severe impacts of circulating viral infections.
Dewpoint Therapeutics
Series B in 2020
Dewpoint Therapeutics is a Boston-based biotech company focused on the research and development of treatments targeting biomolecular condensates to address various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and immunological conditions. Founded in 2018, the company employs an innovative drug platform that utilizes machine-learning-based image analysis for visualizing condensates. This technology supports an engine of engineered cell lines designed to track and mitigate harmful protein sequestration. By leveraging its proprietary platform, Dewpoint seeks to facilitate drug discovery across a wide range of medical indications and collaborates with leading academic and pharmaceutical partners to enhance the accessibility of new therapies for unmet healthcare needs.
Neogene Therapeutics
Series A in 2020
Neogene Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York, founded in 2018, that focuses on developing T cell therapies for cancer treatment. The company specializes in creating personalized engineered T cells that target neo-antigens, which are mutated proteins present in cancer cells due to DNA mutations. By leveraging advanced technologies, Neogene isolates T cell receptor (TCR) genes specific to these neo-antigens from tumor biopsies routinely collected from patients. This process utilizes high-sensitivity DNA sequencing and genetic screening to identify TCRs that can effectively recognize and attack cancer cells. Neogene's innovative approach aims to enhance the precision and efficacy of cancer therapies, offering improved treatment options for patients facing a broad spectrum of cancers.
Kronos Bio
Private Equity Round in 2020
Kronos Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing innovative cancer therapeutics. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company focuses on targeting dysregulated transcription factors and oncogenic signaling pathways. Its lead candidate, entospletinib, is a selective inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase aimed at treating acute myeloid leukemia. Additionally, Kronos Bio is developing KB-0742, an orally bioavailable inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 9, intended for MYC-amplified solid tumors. By leveraging advanced technologies such as high-throughput small-molecule microarrays and targeted protein degradation, Kronos Bio aims to identify effective compounds that can modulate historically undruggable cancer targets, ultimately striving to improve patient outcomes through precision medicine.
SQZ Biotech
Series D in 2020
SQZ Biotech is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative cell therapies for patients facing cancer, infectious diseases, and other serious health conditions. Utilizing its proprietary CellSqueeze technology, SQZ Biotech can deliver a variety of materials into diverse patient cell types, enabling the engineering of therapies that address a wide array of clinical challenges. The company aims to create well-tolerated cell therapies that not only enhance therapeutic benefits but also improve the overall patient experience compared to traditional cell therapy methods. Through a combination of internal research initiatives and external collaborations, SQZ Biotech is advancing a new generation of cellular therapies aimed at both immune activation and immune suppression.
Pandion Therapeutics
Series B in 2020
Pandion Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapeutics for patients with autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions. The company's lead product candidate, PT101, is an engineered variant of interleukin-2 currently undergoing Phase 1a clinical trials for 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 PT001 and PT002, which are bifunctional molecules designed for tissue-selective immunomodulation in the gastrointestinal tract. These molecules utilize a unique approach to achieve localized treatment, potentially enhancing efficacy and safety compared to traditional therapies. Pandion also collaborates with Astellas Pharma to develop locally acting immunomodulators targeting autoimmune diseases of the pancreas. The company is headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Kallyope
Series C in 2020
Kallyope Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York City that focuses on the gut-brain axis to develop innovative therapeutics and consumer products aimed at enhancing human health. Founded in 2014, Kallyope employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating technologies such as sequencing, computational biology, neural imaging, and human genetics to deepen the understanding of gut-brain biology. This comprehensive understanding enables the company to create effective and well-tolerated oral medications targeting various health issues, including diabetes, obesity, gut disorders, inflammatory diseases, migraines, and allergies. With a team of experienced scientists and a strong foundation in drug discovery, Kallyope aims to address significant unmet medical needs through its research and development efforts.
Amagma Therapeutics
Series A in 2020
Amagma Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, founded in 2019. The company focuses on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics aimed at treating inflammatory diseases caused by enzyme hyperactivity. Specifically, Amagma targets overactive extracellular proteases that lead to tissue damage and contribute to widespread inflammatory responses. By addressing these mechanisms, the company aims to provide effective and safe therapeutic options for clinicians dealing with such conditions.
Lyra Therapeutics
Series C in 2020
Lyra Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage therapeutics company focused on the development and commercialization of novel integrated drug and delivery solutions for the localized treatment of patients with ear, nose and throat diseases. The company’s proprietary technology platform, XTreo, is designed to precisely and consistently deliver medicines directly to the affected tissue for sustained periods with a single administration. The company’s initial product candidates, LYR-210 and LYR-220, are bioresorbable polymeric matrices designed to be administered in a brief, non-invasive, in-office procedure and intended to deliver up to six months of continuous drug therapy to the sinonasal passages for the treatment of CRS. The therapeutic embedded within LYR-210 and LYR-220 is mometasone furoate, which is the active ingredient in various FDA-approved drugs and has a well-established efficacy and safety profile.
SQZ Biotech
Series D in 2019
SQZ Biotech is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative cell therapies for patients facing cancer, infectious diseases, and other serious health conditions. Utilizing its proprietary CellSqueeze technology, SQZ Biotech can deliver a variety of materials into diverse patient cell types, enabling the engineering of therapies that address a wide array of clinical challenges. The company aims to create well-tolerated cell therapies that not only enhance therapeutic benefits but also improve the overall patient experience compared to traditional cell therapy methods. Through a combination of internal research initiatives and external collaborations, SQZ Biotech is advancing a new generation of cellular therapies aimed at both immune activation and immune suppression.
Kronos Bio
Series A in 2019
Kronos Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing innovative cancer therapeutics. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company focuses on targeting dysregulated transcription factors and oncogenic signaling pathways. Its lead candidate, entospletinib, is a selective inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase aimed at treating acute myeloid leukemia. Additionally, Kronos Bio is developing KB-0742, an orally bioavailable inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 9, intended for MYC-amplified solid tumors. By leveraging advanced technologies such as high-throughput small-molecule microarrays and targeted protein degradation, Kronos Bio aims to identify effective compounds that can modulate historically undruggable cancer targets, ultimately striving to improve patient outcomes through precision medicine.
Blackthorn Therapeutics
Series B in 2019
Blackthorn Therapeutics, based in South San Francisco, California, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing precision medicine for neurobehavioral disorders. Founded in 2013, the company utilizes a proprietary computational platform that integrates advances in computational and clinical neuroscience to better understand the relationship between brain function and behavior. By targeting dysfunctional brain circuits, Blackthorn aims to address longstanding challenges in drug discovery and development. The company’s approach involves identifying novel therapeutic targets, small molecule drug candidates, and biologically-based patient subgroups that are most likely to benefit from treatment, thereby enhancing the precision of therapeutic interventions in the central nervous system.
Cyclerion Therapeutics
Post in 2019
Cyclerion Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing treatments for serious and orphan diseases. The company specializes in soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) pharmacology to realize the therapeutic potential of next-generation sGC stimulators. Its product pipeline includes Olinciguat, an oral sGC stimulator currently in Phase II trials for sickle cell disease; Praliciguat, also an oral sGC stimulator in Phase II for diabetic nephropathy and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; and IW-6463, which is in Phase I trials for neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, Cyclerion is engaged in the discovery of liver-targeted and lung-targeted sGC stimulators. Founded in 2018, the company is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Africa Healthcare Network
Series A in 2019
Africa Healthcare Network (“AHN”) has established the first dialysis chain across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing high-quality, life-saving dialysis at affordable cost. AHN brings world-class technical expertise combined with developing world practical operating experience to a region in dire need of quality dialysis treatment. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The few hospitals that provide treatment operate centers that are slowly deteriorating while charging prohibitive prices. Additionally, the lack of trained professionals and limited capital investment in care for non-communicable diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa, dialysis centers are few and far between, causing patients to endure the high costs for travel to receive care. Those who cannot afford the costs of treatment and travel are resigned to death. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and AKI are on the rise in the region due to strong epidemiologic factors, including increased urbanization leading to lifestyle diseases, other non-communicable diseases, HIV and other infections and toxins. Utilizing our network of executives/partners, we will secure high-quality equipment and train professionals to provide superior care. Our ability to source lowest cost consumables, operational efficiency and scale, will allow us to lower the cost to patients. The net result is increased access, higher quality and lower cost to patients, while maintaining profitability. AHN operates in Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.
Kallyope
Series B in 2018
Kallyope Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York City that focuses on the gut-brain axis to develop innovative therapeutics and consumer products aimed at enhancing human health. Founded in 2014, Kallyope employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating technologies such as sequencing, computational biology, neural imaging, and human genetics to deepen the understanding of gut-brain biology. This comprehensive understanding enables the company to create effective and well-tolerated oral medications targeting various health issues, including diabetes, obesity, gut disorders, inflammatory diseases, migraines, and allergies. With a team of experienced scientists and a strong foundation in drug discovery, Kallyope aims to address significant unmet medical needs through its research and development efforts.
KSQ Therapeutics
Series C in 2018
KSQ Therapeutics, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializes in precision functional genomics to discover innovative drug therapies. Founded in 2015, the company employs its proprietary CRISPRomics™ drug discovery engine to gain insights into the role of human genes across various diseases. This comprehensive understanding of disease biology allows KSQ to identify and validate high-confidence, patient-specific drug targets, enhancing the drug development process by focusing on candidates with the greatest therapeutic potential. The company has initiated several preclinical discovery programs aimed at developing novel medications that could significantly improve patient outcomes.
Morphic Therapeutic
Series B in 2018
Morphic Therapeutic is a biotechnology company focused on developing oral integrin therapies aimed at treating serious chronic diseases such as autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular conditions, metabolic diseases, fibrosis, and cancer. The company specializes in creating small molecule inhibitors that target various integrins. By leveraging insights into integrin biology, Morphic Therapeutic is building a pipeline of innovative therapeutics designed to address a range of immunological, fibrotic, neoplastic, and vascular diseases, thereby offering potential new treatment options for patients with significant unmet medical needs.
SQZ Biotech
Series C in 2018
SQZ Biotech is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative cell therapies for patients facing cancer, infectious diseases, and other serious health conditions. Utilizing its proprietary CellSqueeze technology, SQZ Biotech can deliver a variety of materials into diverse patient cell types, enabling the engineering of therapies that address a wide array of clinical challenges. The company aims to create well-tolerated cell therapies that not only enhance therapeutic benefits but also improve the overall patient experience compared to traditional cell therapy methods. Through a combination of internal research initiatives and external collaborations, SQZ Biotech is advancing a new generation of cellular therapies aimed at both immune activation and immune suppression.
Alector
Series E in 2018
Alector, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The company’s lead products, AL001, AL101, AL002, and AL003, are currently undergoing various stages of clinical trials, with AL001 in a phase II trial for frontotemporal dementia and AL101 in phase I trials targeting multiple neurodegenerative conditions. Alector employs advanced antibody technology combined with insights from neuroimmunology and human genetics to create therapeutics that address underlying disease mechanisms. The company has established a collaboration with Adimab, which specializes in the discovery and optimization of antibody therapeutics, to enhance its research and development efforts. Alector also has several additional programs in the research and development stage, reflecting its commitment to advancing novel treatments for complex neurological disorders. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, Alector aims to restore healthy immune function in the brain through its unique therapeutic approaches.
Metacrine
Series C in 2018
Metacrine is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on building an innovative pipeline of best-in-class drugs to treat liver and gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The most advanced program is focused on the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) an important drug target in multiple liver and GI diseases. Beyond the FXR program, a pipeline of novel drug candidates against other drug targets is being explored by taking advantage of internal drug discovery and development capabilities.
CAMP4 Therapeutics
Series A in 2018
CAMP4 Therapeutics Corporation, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializes in bioinformatics and gene regulation circuitry. Founded in 2015, the company has developed a 4-D gene circuitry platform that translates the activation of the human genome's 24,000 genes into a set of combinatorial rules based on existing signaling pathways. This innovative approach allows CAMP4 to control gene expression effectively, addressing the root causes of diseases. By leveraging this gene circuitry code, the company aims to expedite the drug development process, significantly reducing both time and risk associated with bringing new treatments to patients.
Quentis Therapeutics
Series A in 2018
Quentis Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York, founded in 2016. The company specializes in developing immunotherapies that target endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response pathways within the tumor microenvironment. By addressing ER stress, Quentis aims to enhance the immune system's capacity to combat cancer, providing patients with innovative treatment options. Its therapeutic approach focuses on awakening anti-tumor immunity, thereby potentially improving outcomes for individuals facing various forms of cancer.
Kallyope
Series B in 2018
Kallyope Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York City that focuses on the gut-brain axis to develop innovative therapeutics and consumer products aimed at enhancing human health. Founded in 2014, Kallyope employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating technologies such as sequencing, computational biology, neural imaging, and human genetics to deepen the understanding of gut-brain biology. This comprehensive understanding enables the company to create effective and well-tolerated oral medications targeting various health issues, including diabetes, obesity, gut disorders, inflammatory diseases, migraines, and allergies. With a team of experienced scientists and a strong foundation in drug discovery, Kallyope aims to address significant unmet medical needs through its research and development efforts.
Pandion Therapeutics
Series A in 2018
Pandion Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapeutics for patients with autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions. The company's lead product candidate, PT101, is an engineered variant of interleukin-2 currently undergoing Phase 1a clinical trials for 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 PT001 and PT002, which are bifunctional molecules designed for tissue-selective immunomodulation in the gastrointestinal tract. These molecules utilize a unique approach to achieve localized treatment, potentially enhancing efficacy and safety compared to traditional therapies. Pandion also collaborates with Astellas Pharma to develop locally acting immunomodulators targeting autoimmune diseases of the pancreas. The company is headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Jnana Therapeutics
Series A in 2017
Jnana Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that focuses on drug discovery through its innovative platform targeting solute carrier (SLC) transporters. Established in 2016, the company aims to improve patient outcomes by developing small molecule therapies for various diseases, including those related to immunometabolism, lysosomal function, and mucosal defense. By utilizing advanced chemoproteomics techniques, Jnana accelerates the identification of therapeutic targets, addressing significant unmet medical needs in areas such as immuno-oncology, inflammatory disorders, and neurological diseases. The company's approach seeks to enhance drug discovery efficiency by comprehensively targeting the vast family of membrane proteins associated with SLC transporters.
Metacrine
Series B in 2017
Metacrine is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on building an innovative pipeline of best-in-class drugs to treat liver and gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The most advanced program is focused on the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) an important drug target in multiple liver and GI diseases. Beyond the FXR program, a pipeline of novel drug candidates against other drug targets is being explored by taking advantage of internal drug discovery and development capabilities.
KSQ Therapeutics
Series B in 2017
KSQ Therapeutics, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializes in precision functional genomics to discover innovative drug therapies. Founded in 2015, the company employs its proprietary CRISPRomics™ drug discovery engine to gain insights into the role of human genes across various diseases. This comprehensive understanding of disease biology allows KSQ to identify and validate high-confidence, patient-specific drug targets, enhancing the drug development process by focusing on candidates with the greatest therapeutic potential. The company has initiated several preclinical discovery programs aimed at developing novel medications that could significantly improve patient outcomes.
Compass Therapeutics
Series A in 2017
Compass Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutic antibodies for solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Founded in 2014 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes its proprietary StitchMabs and common light-chain platforms to identify and develop innovative antibody therapeutics. Its lead product candidate, CTX-471, is an agonistic monoclonal antibody targeting CD137, currently undergoing Phase I clinical trials. Another significant candidate, CTX-009, is a bispecific antibody that inhibits DLL4-mediated Notch signaling and VEGF-A signaling, and has completed a Phase 1 dose escalation study. Additionally, CTX-8371, another bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and PD-L1, is in the IND-enabling stage. Compass Therapeutics aims to engage the immune system effectively to advance its therapeutic offerings.
Arsanis
Series D in 2017
Arsanis, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, specializing in monoclonal antibody (mAb) immunotherapies for serious infectious diseases. Founded in 2010, Arsanis develops mAbs targeting various bacterial and viral pathogens, including its lead program ASN100, which is focused on preventing Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in high-risk, mechanically ventilated patients and is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials. The company's pipeline also includes ASN500, targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as preclinical candidates ASN300 for Klebsiella pneumoniae and ASN200 for Escherichia coli. Additionally, Arsanis operates research and preclinical development efforts in Vienna, Austria, through its subsidiary, Arsanis Biosciences GmbH. The company's advanced understanding of infection pathogenesis and mAb discovery techniques underpins its efforts to tackle significant health challenges posed by infectious diseases.
Africa Healthcare Network
Venture Round in 2016
Africa Healthcare Network (“AHN”) has established the first dialysis chain across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing high-quality, life-saving dialysis at affordable cost. AHN brings world-class technical expertise combined with developing world practical operating experience to a region in dire need of quality dialysis treatment. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The few hospitals that provide treatment operate centers that are slowly deteriorating while charging prohibitive prices. Additionally, the lack of trained professionals and limited capital investment in care for non-communicable diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa, dialysis centers are few and far between, causing patients to endure the high costs for travel to receive care. Those who cannot afford the costs of treatment and travel are resigned to death. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and AKI are on the rise in the region due to strong epidemiologic factors, including increased urbanization leading to lifestyle diseases, other non-communicable diseases, HIV and other infections and toxins. Utilizing our network of executives/partners, we will secure high-quality equipment and train professionals to provide superior care. Our ability to source lowest cost consumables, operational efficiency and scale, will allow us to lower the cost to patients. The net result is increased access, higher quality and lower cost to patients, while maintaining profitability. AHN operates in Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.
Genomics Medicine Ireland
Series A in 2016
Genomics Medicine Ireland is an Irish life sciences company leading a large-scale research study across Ireland looking at the human genome to examine the relationship between genetics, health and disease.
SQZ Biotech
Series B in 2016
SQZ Biotech is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative cell therapies for patients facing cancer, infectious diseases, and other serious health conditions. Utilizing its proprietary CellSqueeze technology, SQZ Biotech can deliver a variety of materials into diverse patient cell types, enabling the engineering of therapies that address a wide array of clinical challenges. The company aims to create well-tolerated cell therapies that not only enhance therapeutic benefits but also improve the overall patient experience compared to traditional cell therapy methods. Through a combination of internal research initiatives and external collaborations, SQZ Biotech is advancing a new generation of cellular therapies aimed at both immune activation and immune suppression.
Morphic Therapeutic
Series A in 2016
Morphic Therapeutic is a biotechnology company focused on developing oral integrin therapies aimed at treating serious chronic diseases such as autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular conditions, metabolic diseases, fibrosis, and cancer. The company specializes in creating small molecule inhibitors that target various integrins. By leveraging insights into integrin biology, Morphic Therapeutic is building a pipeline of innovative therapeutics designed to address a range of immunological, fibrotic, neoplastic, and vascular diseases, thereby offering potential new treatment options for patients with significant unmet medical needs.
Kala Pharmaceuticals
Series C in 2016
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing therapies for diseases affecting mucosal tissues using its proprietary nanoparticle-based Mucus Penetrating Particles (MPP) technology. This innovative approach enhances drug distribution and pharmacokinetics by delivering biocompatible, drug-loaded particles that uniformly coat mucosal surfaces. The company's lead product candidate, KPI-121 0.25%, has successfully completed two Phase III clinical trials aimed at providing temporary relief for dry eye disease. Additionally, INVELTYS, another product, has also completed two Phase III trials for treating inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. Kala is advancing its pipeline, including KPI-285, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor for retinal diseases, which is currently in preclinical studies. The company aims to address significant clinical needs while exploring research collaborations to enhance its product offerings.
Alector
Series D in 2016
Alector, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The company’s lead products, AL001, AL101, AL002, and AL003, are currently undergoing various stages of clinical trials, with AL001 in a phase II trial for frontotemporal dementia and AL101 in phase I trials targeting multiple neurodegenerative conditions. Alector employs advanced antibody technology combined with insights from neuroimmunology and human genetics to create therapeutics that address underlying disease mechanisms. The company has established a collaboration with Adimab, which specializes in the discovery and optimization of antibody therapeutics, to enhance its research and development efforts. Alector also has several additional programs in the research and development stage, reflecting its commitment to advancing novel treatments for complex neurological disorders. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, Alector aims to restore healthy immune function in the brain through its unique therapeutic approaches.
Scholar Rock
Series B in 2016
Scholar Rock is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative therapies that target dysregulated growth factors within disease microenvironments. Founded in 2012 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company employs a proprietary platform to create monoclonal antibodies that selectively modulate the activation of these signaling proteins. This approach aims to avoid traditional challenges associated with growth factor inhibition while facilitating efficient drug development. Scholar Rock's lead product, SRK-015, is designed as a first-in-class inhibitor of myostatin activation, targeting conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy. The company's pipeline includes additional candidates, such as SRK-181, which inhibits latent transforming growth factor beta-1 for cancer treatment. Scholar Rock's research focuses on serious diseases, including neuromuscular disorders, cancer, fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases, reflecting its commitment to transforming patient outcomes through targeted therapies.
Morphic Therapeutic
Seed Round in 2016
Morphic Therapeutic is a biotechnology company focused on developing oral integrin therapies aimed at treating serious chronic diseases such as autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular conditions, metabolic diseases, fibrosis, and cancer. The company specializes in creating small molecule inhibitors that target various integrins. By leveraging insights into integrin biology, Morphic Therapeutic is building a pipeline of innovative therapeutics designed to address a range of immunological, fibrotic, neoplastic, and vascular diseases, thereby offering potential new treatment options for patients with significant unmet medical needs.
Kallyope
Series A in 2015
Kallyope Inc. is a biotechnology company based in New York City that focuses on the gut-brain axis to develop innovative therapeutics and consumer products aimed at enhancing human health. Founded in 2014, Kallyope employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating technologies such as sequencing, computational biology, neural imaging, and human genetics to deepen the understanding of gut-brain biology. This comprehensive understanding enables the company to create effective and well-tolerated oral medications targeting various health issues, including diabetes, obesity, gut disorders, inflammatory diseases, migraines, and allergies. With a team of experienced scientists and a strong foundation in drug discovery, Kallyope aims to address significant unmet medical needs through its research and development efforts.
Alector
Series C in 2015
Alector, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The company’s lead products, AL001, AL101, AL002, and AL003, are currently undergoing various stages of clinical trials, with AL001 in a phase II trial for frontotemporal dementia and AL101 in phase I trials targeting multiple neurodegenerative conditions. Alector employs advanced antibody technology combined with insights from neuroimmunology and human genetics to create therapeutics that address underlying disease mechanisms. The company has established a collaboration with Adimab, which specializes in the discovery and optimization of antibody therapeutics, to enhance its research and development efforts. Alector also has several additional programs in the research and development stage, reflecting its commitment to advancing novel treatments for complex neurological disorders. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, Alector aims to restore healthy immune function in the brain through its unique therapeutic approaches.
Selecta Biosciences
Series E in 2015
Selecta Biosciences, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Watertown, Massachusetts, specializes in the research and development of nanoparticle immunomodulatory drugs aimed at treating and preventing human diseases. The company utilizes its proprietary ImmTOR immune tolerance platform to create targeted immunomodulatory nanoparticles that address undesired immune responses. Its lead product, SEL-212, has completed Phase II clinical trials for chronic refractory gout. Additionally, Selecta is advancing gene therapy candidates in preclinical development for rare metabolic disorders, including SEL-302 for methylmalonic acidemia and SEL-313 for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. The company collaborates with various partners, including Spark Therapeutics and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to enhance its research and development endeavors. Founded in 2007, Selecta Biosciences is committed to innovating therapeutic solutions in the biopharmaceutical landscape.
Editas Medicine
Series B in 2015
Editas Medicine is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with an additional site in Boulder, Colorado. Founded in 2013, it is focused on discovering and developing innovative genome editing therapeutics to address a wide range of serious diseases. The company utilizes a proprietary platform based on CRISPR/Cas9 technology, which employs a protein-RNA complex to target and modify specific DNA sequences for therapeutic purposes. Editas Medicine aims to translate its advanced genome editing technologies into human therapeutics that can provide precise and corrective molecular modifications to treat genetic disorders. With a strong foundation of patent filings and intellectual property, the company is positioned to advance its early findings into viable treatments for various diseases at the genetic level.
Metacrine
Series A in 2015
Metacrine is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on building an innovative pipeline of best-in-class drugs to treat liver and gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The most advanced program is focused on the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) an important drug target in multiple liver and GI diseases. Beyond the FXR program, a pipeline of novel drug candidates against other drug targets is being explored by taking advantage of internal drug discovery and development capabilities.
Arivale
Series B in 2015
Arivale Inc. is a wellness service provider that focuses on helping individuals optimize their health and prevent disease through a scientific approach. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the company analyzes various aspects of individual health, including genetics, blood markers, the gut microbiome, and lifestyle factors. By integrating this data, Arivale delivers tailored recommendations and personalized coaching to empower individuals in making informed decisions about their wellness. This comprehensive approach not only aids members in understanding their unique health profiles but also contributes to a growing dataset that supports medical research aimed at enhancing health outcomes.
SQZ Biotech
Series A in 2015
SQZ Biotech is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative cell therapies for patients facing cancer, infectious diseases, and other serious health conditions. Utilizing its proprietary CellSqueeze technology, SQZ Biotech can deliver a variety of materials into diverse patient cell types, enabling the engineering of therapies that address a wide array of clinical challenges. The company aims to create well-tolerated cell therapies that not only enhance therapeutic benefits but also improve the overall patient experience compared to traditional cell therapy methods. Through a combination of internal research initiatives and external collaborations, SQZ Biotech is advancing a new generation of cellular therapies aimed at both immune activation and immune suppression.
Pulmatrix
Post in 2015
Pulmatrix, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Lexington, Massachusetts, specializing in the development of inhaled therapies for serious pulmonary diseases. Utilizing its proprietary iSPERSE technology, Pulmatrix focuses on creating innovative dry powder delivery systems to enhance therapeutic delivery to the lungs. The company's product pipeline includes Pulmazole, an inhaled anti-fungal treatment for patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and PUR1800, a narrow-spectrum kinase inhibitor aimed at treating obstructive lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pulmatrix has established partnerships with RespiVert Ltd. for the development of kinase inhibitors and with Cipla Technologies LLC to commercialize Pulmazole. Founded in 2003, Pulmatrix aims to address significant unmet medical needs in respiratory health through its advanced therapeutic solutions.
XTuit Pharmaceuticals
Series A in 2015
XTuit Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutics that target the disease-promoting microenvironment associated with fibrotic diseases and cancer. Established in 2011 and based in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company is engaged in creating pharmaceutical preparations aimed at diagnosing and treating oncological, tumor, and inflammatory diseases. XTuit Pharmaceuticals employs novel strategies to enhance cancer therapy by specifically addressing the tumor microenvironment. Its drug development pipeline includes innovative approaches that inhibit extracellular matrix synthesis and stabilize activated stromal cells, utilizing a clinical biomarker platform for effective treatment outcomes.
480 Biomedical
Series C in 2015
480 Biomedical focuses on the development of a bioresorbable scaffold for treating occlusive disease in the superficial femoral artery (SFA). Its lead product, SFA scaffold, is a proprietary scaffold and delivery system for use in treating peripheral arterial disease in the SFA. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Kindex
Series A in 2015
KinDex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing novel therapeutics for patients suffering from metabolic disorders, including diabetes and obesity. Founded in 2009 and based in Seattle, Washington, the company focuses on compounds that modulate key regulatory networks associated with these conditions. Its lead product, KDT501, is derived from hop extracts and has shown promise in normalizing glucose metabolism and body weight in rodent models. In addition to improving glucose homeostasis, KDT501 may also influence cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduce body weight gain, and mitigate inflammation linked to metabolic dysfunction. KinDex Pharmaceuticals leverages the Bitter Taste Receptors (TAS2Rs) to target inflammatory and metabolic pathways, aiming to enhance women's health and address chronic diseases.
Syros Pharmaceuticals
Series B in 2014
Syros Pharmaceuticals is a life sciences company that is focused on treating disease by mapping gene regulatory circuits and modulating the factors that regulate gene expression. Syros has pioneered world-leading gene control research and drug discovery capabilities with a proven ability to integrate disease biology and genomic data--a proficiency that is not well represented in pharmaceutical R&D. Central to the Syros approach is a proprietary platform of carefully integrated assay technologies, bioinformatics, and biologic insights developed by members of Syros' senior leadership. While this scientific approach has applications in many therapeutic areas, Syros has demonstrated success initially in oncology, where it may help address numerous unmet medical needs.
Selecta Biosciences
Private Equity Round in 2014
Selecta Biosciences, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Watertown, Massachusetts, specializes in the research and development of nanoparticle immunomodulatory drugs aimed at treating and preventing human diseases. The company utilizes its proprietary ImmTOR immune tolerance platform to create targeted immunomodulatory nanoparticles that address undesired immune responses. Its lead product, SEL-212, has completed Phase II clinical trials for chronic refractory gout. Additionally, Selecta is advancing gene therapy candidates in preclinical development for rare metabolic disorders, including SEL-302 for methylmalonic acidemia and SEL-313 for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. The company collaborates with various partners, including Spark Therapeutics and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to enhance its research and development endeavors. Founded in 2007, Selecta Biosciences is committed to innovating therapeutic solutions in the biopharmaceutical landscape.
Scholar Rock
Series A in 2014
Scholar Rock is a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative therapies that target dysregulated growth factors within disease microenvironments. Founded in 2012 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company employs a proprietary platform to create monoclonal antibodies that selectively modulate the activation of these signaling proteins. This approach aims to avoid traditional challenges associated with growth factor inhibition while facilitating efficient drug development. Scholar Rock's lead product, SRK-015, is designed as a first-in-class inhibitor of myostatin activation, targeting conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy. The company's pipeline includes additional candidates, such as SRK-181, which inhibits latent transforming growth factor beta-1 for cancer treatment. Scholar Rock's research focuses on serious diseases, including neuromuscular disorders, cancer, fibrosis, and autoimmune diseases, reflecting its commitment to transforming patient outcomes through targeted therapies.
Strata Health
Venture Round in 2014
Strata Health specializes in developing a patient flow management platform aimed at assisting healthcare professionals in effectively matching patients with appropriate resources. The platform serves as an electronic referral system, enabling care coordinators and clinicians to facilitate safe and efficient transitions across the healthcare continuum. By utilizing digital tools and automated workflows, Strata Health enhances patient placement decisions and improves operational flow practices within hospitals, ultimately allowing for better patient care.
Kala Pharmaceuticals
Series B in 2014
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing therapies for diseases affecting mucosal tissues using its proprietary nanoparticle-based Mucus Penetrating Particles (MPP) technology. This innovative approach enhances drug distribution and pharmacokinetics by delivering biocompatible, drug-loaded particles that uniformly coat mucosal surfaces. The company's lead product candidate, KPI-121 0.25%, has successfully completed two Phase III clinical trials aimed at providing temporary relief for dry eye disease. Additionally, INVELTYS, another product, has also completed two Phase III trials for treating inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. Kala is advancing its pipeline, including KPI-285, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor for retinal diseases, which is currently in preclinical studies. The company aims to address significant clinical needs while exploring research collaborations to enhance its product offerings.
Genuity Science
Series A in 2013
Genuity Science is a company that specializes in clinco-omics data analysis solutions for researchers in the fields of central nervous system, cardiometabolic, and inflammatory diseases. The company provides a comprehensive global genomics platform that facilitates the study of biological data insights, offering services that include study design, genomic sequencing, data storage, interpretation, secondary analysis, and scalable analytics. By leveraging the human genome, Genuity Science aims to empower organizations to enhance patient health through advanced genomic insights and analysis.
T2 Biosystems
Series E in 2013
T2 Biosystems, Inc. is an in vitro diagnostics company focused on developing advanced diagnostic products for detecting pathogens and biomarkers. Utilizing its proprietary T2 Magnetic Resonance technology, the company offers rapid and accurate testing for various medical conditions directly from unpurified patient samples, including whole blood, plasma, and urine. Key products include the T2Dx Instrument for diagnosing sepsis and Lyme disease, the T2Candida Panel for identifying Candida species, and the T2Bacteria Panel for detecting bacterial pathogens linked to sepsis. Additionally, T2 Biosystems provides the T2Resistance Panel for identifying antibiotic resistance markers and is developing other diagnostic panels for multi-drug resistant pathogens and Lyme disease strains. The company collaborates with organizations like Canon U.S. Life Sciences and Allergan Sales to enhance its testing capabilities. Founded in 2006 and based in Lexington, Massachusetts, T2 Biosystems aims to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs through its innovative diagnostic solutions.
Promedior
Series D in 2012
Promedior, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Lexington, Massachusetts, focused on developing therapeutics for rare fibrotic and inflammatory diseases. The company’s primary targets include conditions such as myelofibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Promedior's drug portfolio features PRM-151, a recombinant form of human pentaxin-2 protein, and PRM-167, a variant designed for intravitreal delivery. These therapeutics are aimed at regulating monocyte-derived cell populations, which are critical in fibrotic, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. By specifically addressing these cells at injury sites, Promedior seeks to promote tissue healing and minimize systemic side effects commonly associated with existing therapies. The company was incorporated in 2006 and was previously known as Fibrotix, Inc.
Genocea Biosciences
Series C in 2012
Genocea Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on the discovery and development of innovative cancer immunotherapies and vaccines. Utilizing its proprietary ATLAS platform, the company profiles patients' CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immune responses to identify potential antigens in tumors. Genocea is advancing several immuno-oncology programs, including GEN-009, an adjuvanted neoantigen peptide vaccine currently in phase I/IIa clinical trials, and GEN-011, a neoantigen adoptive T cell therapy. Additionally, the company has developed GEN-003, an immunotherapy aimed at treating genital herpes, and is working on personalized cancer vaccines through its pre-clinical immuno-oncology program. Established in 2006, Genocea aims to address significant unmet medical needs with its targeted therapeutic approaches.
Kala Pharmaceuticals
Private Equity Round in 2012
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing therapies for diseases affecting mucosal tissues using its proprietary nanoparticle-based Mucus Penetrating Particles (MPP) technology. This innovative approach enhances drug distribution and pharmacokinetics by delivering biocompatible, drug-loaded particles that uniformly coat mucosal surfaces. The company's lead product candidate, KPI-121 0.25%, has successfully completed two Phase III clinical trials aimed at providing temporary relief for dry eye disease. Additionally, INVELTYS, another product, has also completed two Phase III trials for treating inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. Kala is advancing its pipeline, including KPI-285, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor for retinal diseases, which is currently in preclinical studies. The company aims to address significant clinical needs while exploring research collaborations to enhance its product offerings.
Promedior
Series D in 2012
Promedior, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Lexington, Massachusetts, focused on developing therapeutics for rare fibrotic and inflammatory diseases. The company’s primary targets include conditions such as myelofibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Promedior's drug portfolio features PRM-151, a recombinant form of human pentaxin-2 protein, and PRM-167, a variant designed for intravitreal delivery. These therapeutics are aimed at regulating monocyte-derived cell populations, which are critical in fibrotic, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. By specifically addressing these cells at injury sites, Promedior seeks to promote tissue healing and minimize systemic side effects commonly associated with existing therapies. The company was incorporated in 2006 and was previously known as Fibrotix, Inc.
480 Biomedical
Series A in 2011
480 Biomedical focuses on the development of a bioresorbable scaffold for treating occlusive disease in the superficial femoral artery (SFA). Its lead product, SFA scaffold, is a proprietary scaffold and delivery system for use in treating peripheral arterial disease in the SFA. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Pulmatrix
Series B in 2011
Pulmatrix, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Lexington, Massachusetts, specializing in the development of inhaled therapies for serious pulmonary diseases. Utilizing its proprietary iSPERSE technology, Pulmatrix focuses on creating innovative dry powder delivery systems to enhance therapeutic delivery to the lungs. The company's product pipeline includes Pulmazole, an inhaled anti-fungal treatment for patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and PUR1800, a narrow-spectrum kinase inhibitor aimed at treating obstructive lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pulmatrix has established partnerships with RespiVert Ltd. for the development of kinase inhibitors and with Cipla Technologies LLC to commercialize Pulmazole. Founded in 2003, Pulmatrix aims to address significant unmet medical needs in respiratory health through its advanced therapeutic solutions.
T2 Biosystems
Series D in 2011
T2 Biosystems, Inc. is an in vitro diagnostics company focused on developing advanced diagnostic products for detecting pathogens and biomarkers. Utilizing its proprietary T2 Magnetic Resonance technology, the company offers rapid and accurate testing for various medical conditions directly from unpurified patient samples, including whole blood, plasma, and urine. Key products include the T2Dx Instrument for diagnosing sepsis and Lyme disease, the T2Candida Panel for identifying Candida species, and the T2Bacteria Panel for detecting bacterial pathogens linked to sepsis. Additionally, T2 Biosystems provides the T2Resistance Panel for identifying antibiotic resistance markers and is developing other diagnostic panels for multi-drug resistant pathogens and Lyme disease strains. The company collaborates with organizations like Canon U.S. Life Sciences and Allergan Sales to enhance its testing capabilities. Founded in 2006 and based in Lexington, Massachusetts, T2 Biosystems aims to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs through its innovative diagnostic solutions.
Fate Therapeutics
Series B in 2011
Fate Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, focused on developing programmed cellular immunotherapies for cancer and immune disorders. The company’s pipeline includes various NK- and T-cell immuno-oncology programs, such as FT516 for acute myeloid leukemia and B-cell lymphoma, FT596 for B-cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and FT538 for multiple myeloma. Additional programs include FT500, FT576, FT819, and FT-ONO1, targeting solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Fate Therapeutics is also collaborating with Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Janssen Biotech, Inc. to advance its off-the-shelf iPSC-derived CAR T-cell therapies and other innovative treatments. Founded in 2007, the company leverages insights from leading scientists to create and modulate stem cells for therapeutic applications, aiming to restore health through advanced cellular therapies.
Arsanis
Series A in 2011
Arsanis, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, specializing in monoclonal antibody (mAb) immunotherapies for serious infectious diseases. Founded in 2010, Arsanis develops mAbs targeting various bacterial and viral pathogens, including its lead program ASN100, which is focused on preventing Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in high-risk, mechanically ventilated patients and is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials. The company's pipeline also includes ASN500, targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as preclinical candidates ASN300 for Klebsiella pneumoniae and ASN200 for Escherichia coli. Additionally, Arsanis operates research and preclinical development efforts in Vienna, Austria, through its subsidiary, Arsanis Biosciences GmbH. The company's advanced understanding of infection pathogenesis and mAb discovery techniques underpins its efforts to tackle significant health challenges posed by infectious diseases.
Genocea Biosciences
Series B in 2011
Genocea Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on the discovery and development of innovative cancer immunotherapies and vaccines. Utilizing its proprietary ATLAS platform, the company profiles patients' CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immune responses to identify potential antigens in tumors. Genocea is advancing several immuno-oncology programs, including GEN-009, an adjuvanted neoantigen peptide vaccine currently in phase I/IIa clinical trials, and GEN-011, a neoantigen adoptive T cell therapy. Additionally, the company has developed GEN-003, an immunotherapy aimed at treating genital herpes, and is working on personalized cancer vaccines through its pre-clinical immuno-oncology program. Established in 2006, Genocea aims to address significant unmet medical needs with its targeted therapeutic approaches.
Trevena
Series B in 2010
Trevena, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, established in 2007. The company is dedicated to the development and commercialization of innovative medicines aimed at treating central nervous system disorders. Its product candidates include Oliceridine injection, which is designed for managing moderate-to-severe acute pain and has completed Phase III clinical trials, and TRV250, a delta-opioid receptor agonist that has finished Phase I trials for acute migraine treatment. Other candidates in development include TRV734, targeting both acute and chronic pain, and TRV027, which is being evaluated for acute heart failure. Additionally, Trevena is collaborating with Imperial College London to study TRV027 in the context of COVID-19. The company employs a specialized approach using G protein biased ligands to enhance the efficacy and safety of its therapeutics, addressing the limitations of existing GPCR-targeted drugs.
BIND Therapeutics
Series C in 2010
They are a clinical-stage nanomedicine platform company developing Accurins™, our novel targeted and programmable therapeutics. Accurins are designed with specified physical and chemical characteristics to target specific cells or tissues and concentrate a therapeutic payload at the site of disease to enhance efficacy while minimizing adverse effects on healthy tissues. Our strategy is to leverage our medicinal nanoengineering platform to develop our own pipeline of Accurins, initially in oncology, as well as Accurins in collaboration with biopharmaceutical companies. Our lead drug candidate, BIND-014, is in Phase 2 clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). To date in 2013, we have announced collaborations with Amgen, Pfizer and AstraZeneca to develop Accurins based on therapeutic payloads from their product pipelines.
T2 Biosystems
Series C in 2010
T2 Biosystems, Inc. is an in vitro diagnostics company focused on developing advanced diagnostic products for detecting pathogens and biomarkers. Utilizing its proprietary T2 Magnetic Resonance technology, the company offers rapid and accurate testing for various medical conditions directly from unpurified patient samples, including whole blood, plasma, and urine. Key products include the T2Dx Instrument for diagnosing sepsis and Lyme disease, the T2Candida Panel for identifying Candida species, and the T2Bacteria Panel for detecting bacterial pathogens linked to sepsis. Additionally, T2 Biosystems provides the T2Resistance Panel for identifying antibiotic resistance markers and is developing other diagnostic panels for multi-drug resistant pathogens and Lyme disease strains. The company collaborates with organizations like Canon U.S. Life Sciences and Allergan Sales to enhance its testing capabilities. Founded in 2006 and based in Lexington, Massachusetts, T2 Biosystems aims to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs through its innovative diagnostic solutions.
Selecta Biosciences
Series C in 2010
Selecta Biosciences, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Watertown, Massachusetts, specializes in the research and development of nanoparticle immunomodulatory drugs aimed at treating and preventing human diseases. The company utilizes its proprietary ImmTOR immune tolerance platform to create targeted immunomodulatory nanoparticles that address undesired immune responses. Its lead product, SEL-212, has completed Phase II clinical trials for chronic refractory gout. Additionally, Selecta is advancing gene therapy candidates in preclinical development for rare metabolic disorders, including SEL-302 for methylmalonic acidemia and SEL-313 for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. The company collaborates with various partners, including Spark Therapeutics and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to enhance its research and development endeavors. Founded in 2007, Selecta Biosciences is committed to innovating therapeutic solutions in the biopharmaceutical landscape.
Genocea Biosciences
Series B in 2009
Genocea Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on the discovery and development of innovative cancer immunotherapies and vaccines. Utilizing its proprietary ATLAS platform, the company profiles patients' CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immune responses to identify potential antigens in tumors. Genocea is advancing several immuno-oncology programs, including GEN-009, an adjuvanted neoantigen peptide vaccine currently in phase I/IIa clinical trials, and GEN-011, a neoantigen adoptive T cell therapy. Additionally, the company has developed GEN-003, an immunotherapy aimed at treating genital herpes, and is working on personalized cancer vaccines through its pre-clinical immuno-oncology program. Established in 2006, Genocea aims to address significant unmet medical needs with its targeted therapeutic approaches.
Fate Therapeutics
Series B in 2009
Fate Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, focused on developing programmed cellular immunotherapies for cancer and immune disorders. The company’s pipeline includes various NK- and T-cell immuno-oncology programs, such as FT516 for acute myeloid leukemia and B-cell lymphoma, FT596 for B-cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and FT538 for multiple myeloma. Additional programs include FT500, FT576, FT819, and FT-ONO1, targeting solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Fate Therapeutics is also collaborating with Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Janssen Biotech, Inc. to advance its off-the-shelf iPSC-derived CAR T-cell therapies and other innovative treatments. Founded in 2007, the company leverages insights from leading scientists to create and modulate stem cells for therapeutic applications, aiming to restore health through advanced cellular therapies.
Pulmatrix
Series B in 2009
Pulmatrix, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Lexington, Massachusetts, specializing in the development of inhaled therapies for serious pulmonary diseases. Utilizing its proprietary iSPERSE technology, Pulmatrix focuses on creating innovative dry powder delivery systems to enhance therapeutic delivery to the lungs. The company's product pipeline includes Pulmazole, an inhaled anti-fungal treatment for patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and PUR1800, a narrow-spectrum kinase inhibitor aimed at treating obstructive lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pulmatrix has established partnerships with RespiVert Ltd. for the development of kinase inhibitors and with Cipla Technologies LLC to commercialize Pulmazole. Founded in 2003, Pulmatrix aims to address significant unmet medical needs in respiratory health through its advanced therapeutic solutions.
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