SafeHeal is a medical device company specializing in digestive surgery. It develops and manufactures a vacuum-based, flexible bypass sheath designed to protect a gastrointestinal anastomosis after colorectal cancer surgery, remaining in place during healing to reduce ostomy needs and support postoperative recovery. The company originated as the first venture created and incubated by MD Start, a medtech accelerator, with backing from MD Start and Sofinnova Partners.
Signadori Bio
Venture Round in 2025
Signadori Bio is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative cellular immunotherapy treatments for cancer. It operates in the cell and gene therapy space, aiming to advance novel approaches in oncology to help doctors combat cancer more effectively.
GenSight Biologics
Post in 2025
GenSight Biologics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases of the eye. It uses gene therapy-based platforms, Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence and Optogenetics, to preserve or restore vision in patients with severe degenerative retinal diseases.
Noema Pharma
Series B in 2024
Founded in 2019, Noema Pharma is a biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland. It specializes in developing innovative therapies for orphan neurological disorders characterized by imbalanced neuronal networks, aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Inventiva Pharma
Post in 2024
Inventiva Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in France, dedicated to developing oral small molecule therapies aimed at addressing significant unmet medical needs in fibrosis, lysosomal storage disorders, and oncology. The company has established a robust pipeline supported by a proprietary discovery engine and a wholly-owned research and development facility. It possesses an extensive library of molecules and a team with considerable expertise in developing compounds that target nuclear receptors, transcription factors, and epigenetic modulation. Inventiva is advancing clinical candidates, including lanifibranor, which is being developed for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition currently lacking approved treatments. Additionally, the company is engaged in a variety of pre-clinical therapy programs, further strengthening its portfolio in the fields of oncology, fibrosis, and rare diseases.
Genespire
Series B in 2024
Genespire is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative gene therapies for patients suffering from genetic diseases, with a particular emphasis on primary immunodeficiencies and inherited metabolic disorders. The company specializes in creating therapies that utilize integration-defective lentiviral vectors combined with gene editing techniques. This approach allows for highly effective and adaptable targeted insertion of therapeutic genes into blood cells, providing patients with a range of tailored therapeutic options suited to their specific conditions. By focusing on transformative solutions, Genespire aims to significantly improve the lives of individuals affected by severe genetic disorders.
May Health
Series B in 2024
May Health is a healthcare company focused on addressing infertility related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The company has developed an innovative, minimally invasive procedure aimed at restoring ovulation in women with PCOS. This one-time treatment is performed transvaginally under ultrasound guidance, allowing for its execution in a clinical setting without the need for general anesthesia. May Health's approach seeks to provide patients with a more natural pregnancy experience by assisting the body to ovulate as it would naturally, thereby offering a less medicalized alternative to traditional fertility treatments.
Mainstay Medical
Private Equity Round in 2024
Mainstay Medical is a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing ReActiv8, an implantable neurostimulation system designed to treat chronic mechanical low back pain by restoring control to the lumbar stabilizing muscles. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, it operates in Ireland, the United States, and Australia and collaborates with scientists and clinical experts to deliver therapies for the large underserved population of people with debilitating chronic low back pain. Founded in 2008, the company aims to provide a restorative treatment that improves function and quality of life by reestablishing muscle control in the lumbar spine.
Sensorion is a France-based biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for inner ear disorders. The company pursues programs to treat hearing and balance impairments, including SENS-401 for sudden sensorineural hearing loss and SENS-111 for acute unilateral vestibulopathy, with SENS-300 in preclinical development for inner ear protection. Sensorion conducts research and development to restore hearing and vestibular function and pursues collaboration opportunities, including a strategic partnership with Cochlear Limited to study combination therapies for cochlear implant patients.
GenSight Biologics
Post in 2024
GenSight Biologics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases of the eye. It uses gene therapy-based platforms, Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence and Optogenetics, to preserve or restore vision in patients with severe degenerative retinal diseases.
DISCO Pharmaceuticals
Seed Round in 2024
DISCO Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company focused on advancing cancer treatment through its innovative surfaceome mapping platform. The firm specializes in large-scale surfaceome unlocking of cancer cells, utilizing transformative cell discovery technology to identify proteins and protein communities present on the surface of cancer cells. This scalable approach allows for the extraction of comprehensive target information that traditional proteomics, genome, or transcriptome sequencing methods cannot provide. By leveraging this technology, DISCO Pharmaceuticals aims to enable the development of cancer-selective therapies, potentially enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects for patients.
GlycoEra is a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics by harnessing the power of glycan-mediated biology.
Freya Biosciences
Series A in 2023
Freya Biosciences is a clinical-stage company specializing in women's health. It develops microbial immunotherapies, focusing on unmet needs across various indications.
GenSight Biologics
Post in 2023
GenSight Biologics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases of the eye. It uses gene therapy-based platforms, Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence and Optogenetics, to preserve or restore vision in patients with severe degenerative retinal diseases.
T-Therapeutics
Series A in 2023
T-Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing engineered soluble biologics for oncological and immunological applications. The company utilizes a proprietary T cell receptor (TCR) discovery platform based on a highly humanized mouse model, which allows access to TCRs for human antigens that are typically unavailable from human samples. This innovative approach enables the binding of specific peptide-MHC (pMHC) targets on cells, facilitating the recruitment of T cells to combat cancer or modulate immune responses. Through its advanced capabilities in mouse genome engineering, single-cell genomics, machine learning, and structural biology, T-Therapeutics aims to enhance the quality of life for patients suffering from chronic and infectious diseases. The company's culture emphasizes creativity and collaboration, fostering an environment conducive to groundbreaking research and development in the biopharmaceutical field.
Inventiva Pharma
Post in 2023
Inventiva Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in France, dedicated to developing oral small molecule therapies aimed at addressing significant unmet medical needs in fibrosis, lysosomal storage disorders, and oncology. The company has established a robust pipeline supported by a proprietary discovery engine and a wholly-owned research and development facility. It possesses an extensive library of molecules and a team with considerable expertise in developing compounds that target nuclear receptors, transcription factors, and epigenetic modulation. Inventiva is advancing clinical candidates, including lanifibranor, which is being developed for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition currently lacking approved treatments. Additionally, the company is engaged in a variety of pre-clinical therapy programs, further strengthening its portfolio in the fields of oncology, fibrosis, and rare diseases.
Sensorion is a France-based biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for inner ear disorders. The company pursues programs to treat hearing and balance impairments, including SENS-401 for sudden sensorineural hearing loss and SENS-111 for acute unilateral vestibulopathy, with SENS-300 in preclinical development for inner ear protection. Sensorion conducts research and development to restore hearing and vestibular function and pursues collaboration opportunities, including a strategic partnership with Cochlear Limited to study combination therapies for cochlear implant patients.
GenSight Biologics
Post in 2023
GenSight Biologics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases of the eye. It uses gene therapy-based platforms, Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence and Optogenetics, to preserve or restore vision in patients with severe degenerative retinal diseases.
Crescendo Biologics
Venture Round in 2023
Crescendo Biologics develops innovative antibody therapeutics using its proprietary platforms. The company focuses on generating high-affinity, human VH antibody fragments for oncology and other indications. Its technology is based on a transgenic mouse platform that enables the creation of fully human VHH domain building blocks.
Alia Therapeutics
Seed Round in 2023
Alia Therapeutics develops gene-editing medicines to treat rare genetic diseases. It focuses on next-generation CRISPR technologies that expand targetable genomic sites and improve modification precision, enabling therapies with greater specificity and safety that address genetic disorders at their roots.
Noema Pharma
Series B in 2023
Founded in 2019, Noema Pharma is a biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland. It specializes in developing innovative therapies for orphan neurological disorders characterized by imbalanced neuronal networks, aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Abivax is a France-based clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics that harness the body's natural regulatory mechanisms to stabilize immune responses in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Its portfolio aims to address large unmet needs across autoimmune conditions, viral infections, and cancer, with obefazimod in Phase 3 trials for adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease. The company relies on its drug development platforms to advance treatments that modulate the immune system and potentially extend benefits to other inflammatory indications.
Amolyt Pharma
Series C in 2023
Amolyt Pharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing peptide-based therapies for rare endocrine and metabolic disorders. The company is advancing several programs, including AZP-3601, a parathyroid hormone analog aimed at treating hypoparathyroidism by maintaining stable calcium levels in the blood. Additionally, Amolyt Pharma is developing AZP-3404, a peptide with a novel mechanism of action designed to restore fat and glucose metabolism. Through its innovative approaches, the company aims to provide effective solutions for patients suffering from critical and rare metabolic conditions.
Abivax is a France-based clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics that harness the body's natural regulatory mechanisms to stabilize immune responses in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Its portfolio aims to address large unmet needs across autoimmune conditions, viral infections, and cancer, with obefazimod in Phase 3 trials for adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease. The company relies on its drug development platforms to advance treatments that modulate the immune system and potentially extend benefits to other inflammatory indications.
Inspirna is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing first-in-class cancer therapies that target RNA-regulated drivers of tumor growth. Using RNA biology-based discovery platforms, including miRNA-DRIVEr and RNA-DRIVEr, it identifies novel cancer targets and advances them with oral small-molecule medicines and antibody-drug conjugates. Its lead programs include RGX-202 for RAS-mutant colorectal cancer and RGX-104 for small cell and non-small cell lung cancers, currently in early-phase trials (Phase 1b/2). The company aims to translate RNA-centric targets into treatments for patients with cancers that lack effective options.
LimFlow is a medical technology company focused on developing innovative solutions for treating end-stage chronic limb ischemia (CLI) patients. Its flagship product, the LimFlow System, utilizes a novel percutaneous procedure to restore blood flow to the ischemic foot by diverting blood around diseased arteries into the tibial vein. This approach is designed to provide an elevated flow of oxygenated blood, thereby alleviating ischemic pain, promoting wound healing, reducing the risk of amputations, and enhancing patient mobility. Currently approved for sale in CE-mark regulated markets, the LimFlow System is also undergoing investigational use in the United States, where it offers new hope to patients who have exhausted other revascularization options. LimFlow emphasizes a multi-disciplinary team approach to maximize the benefits of its technology.
SafeHeal
Venture Round in 2022
SafeHeal is a medical device company specializing in digestive surgery. It develops and manufactures a vacuum-based, flexible bypass sheath designed to protect a gastrointestinal anastomosis after colorectal cancer surgery, remaining in place during healing to reduce ostomy needs and support postoperative recovery. The company originated as the first venture created and incubated by MD Start, a medtech accelerator, with backing from MD Start and Sofinnova Partners.
GlycoEra is a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics by harnessing the power of glycan-mediated biology.
Nitrase Therapeutics
Series A in 2021
Nitrase Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies against a novel class of enzymes called nitrases, initially focusing on Parkinson’s disease. Its proprietary platform enables the identification and targeting of these enzymes to potentially slow or halt disease progression.
Sphere Fluidics
Venture Round in 2021
Sphere Fluidics Limited is a life sciences company focused on developing innovative technologies for single-cell analysis and characterization. The company offers unique products and collaborative research and development services that aid in the discovery of new cell strains and molecules. Its cell analysis systems facilitate the screening and isolation of rare and valuable biological variants, catering to various applications in research, therapeutic development, bioproduction, and diagnostics. By streamlining these processes, Sphere Fluidics enables clients to reduce costs and time, thereby accelerating advancements in biological and biopharmaceutical discovery.
Mozart Therapeutics
Series A in 2021
Mozart Therapeutics is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of disease-modifying therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It focuses on creating first-in-class CD8 Treg modulators to restore long-term immune balance and prevent progressive damage caused by autoreactive immune responses.
CinCor Pharma
Series B in 2021
CinCor Pharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, founded in 2018. The company specializes in the development of innovative treatments for cardiovascular, metabolic, and kidney diseases. Its primary focus is on CIN-107, an aldosterone synthase inhibitor aimed at addressing resistant hypertension and primary aldosteronism. By advancing its clinical candidates toward marketing approval, CinCor seeks to provide effective solutions for patients suffering from these conditions.
Artios Pharma
Series C in 2021
Artios Pharma Limited is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, that specializes in developing innovative cancer treatments targeting DNA damage response (DDR) pathways. Founded in 2016, the company is dedicated to creating first-in-class therapies that selectively kill cancer cells by exploiting their reliance on DDR mechanisms. Artios’ product pipeline includes a range of promising candidates, such as a therapy that targets DNA polymerase theta, a protein involved in DNA repair processes, and another program focusing on a novel DDR target. The company collaborates with prominent research organizations, including Cancer Research Technology, to enhance its development efforts and leverage expertise in DNA repair. Artios is led by a skilled team with extensive experience in drug discovery, positioning it to advance its next-generation DDR programs and contribute significantly to the field of cancer treatment.
Alia Therapeutics
Seed Round in 2021
Alia Therapeutics develops gene-editing medicines to treat rare genetic diseases. It focuses on next-generation CRISPR technologies that expand targetable genomic sites and improve modification precision, enabling therapies with greater specificity and safety that address genetic disorders at their roots.
Mnemo Therapeutics
Series A in 2021
Mnemo Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing immune-based therapies, including cell therapies. Its EnfiniT platform uses epigenetic variation and CAR-T precision genetic engineering technology to target tumorous epitopes across various cancers.
Mainstay Medical
Private Equity Round in 2021
Mainstay Medical is a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing ReActiv8, an implantable neurostimulation system designed to treat chronic mechanical low back pain by restoring control to the lumbar stabilizing muscles. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, it operates in Ireland, the United States, and Australia and collaborates with scientists and clinical experts to deliver therapies for the large underserved population of people with debilitating chronic low back pain. Founded in 2008, the company aims to provide a restorative treatment that improves function and quality of life by reestablishing muscle control in the lumbar spine.
Noema Pharma
Series A in 2020
Founded in 2019, Noema Pharma is a biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland. It specializes in developing innovative therapies for orphan neurological disorders characterized by imbalanced neuronal networks, aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
GenSight Biologics
Post in 2020
GenSight Biologics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases of the eye. It uses gene therapy-based platforms, Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence and Optogenetics, to preserve or restore vision in patients with severe degenerative retinal diseases.
Enthera is an Italian biotechnology startup established in October 2016 by BiovelocITA, Professor Paolo Fiorina, and Dr. Francesca D'Addio. The company specializes in developing biotherapeutics aimed at treating autoimmune disorders, with a focus on type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. Enthera's pipeline targets key pathways involved in cell apoptosis in the gut, pancreas, and other organs to combat these intractable conditions effectively.
Pixium Vision
Post in 2020
Pixium Vision SA is a bioelectronics company based in Paris, France, focused on developing innovative implantable medical devices aimed at restoring vision for individuals blinded by the degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina. The company’s flagship product, the PRIMA System, is a bionic vision system designed to improve visual acuity and enhance the independence of patients. Pixium Vision also works on the Intelligent Retinal Implantable System (IRIS1), which is currently undergoing clinical trials, and is developing two subsequent generations, IRIS2 and IRIS3, each designed to provide improved visual capabilities through advanced technologies. Founded in 2011 as a spin-out from the Vision Institute and Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Pixium collaborates with prestigious institutions such as Stanford University and Moorfields Eye Hospital to further its research and development efforts in retinal implant systems.
PinCell
Seed Round in 2020
PinCell is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative treatments for dermatological diseases, particularly those that are orphan conditions. The company focuses its research on identifying novel therapeutic molecules that target specific pathways involved in the pathomechanisms of inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases. By addressing unmet medical needs in this area, PinCell aims to provide effective therapies for patients suffering from various skin disorders. Through its commitment to research and development, the company seeks to advance the understanding and treatment of these challenging conditions.
Genespire
Series A in 2020
Genespire is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative gene therapies for patients suffering from genetic diseases, with a particular emphasis on primary immunodeficiencies and inherited metabolic disorders. The company specializes in creating therapies that utilize integration-defective lentiviral vectors combined with gene editing techniques. This approach allows for highly effective and adaptable targeted insertion of therapeutic genes into blood cells, providing patients with a range of tailored therapeutic options suited to their specific conditions. By focusing on transformative solutions, Genespire aims to significantly improve the lives of individuals affected by severe genetic disorders.
Nitrase Therapeutics
Series A in 2020
Nitrase Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies against a novel class of enzymes called nitrases, initially focusing on Parkinson’s disease. Its proprietary platform enables the identification and targeting of these enzymes to potentially slow or halt disease progression.
Redx Pharma is a UK-based biotechnology company established in 2010, specializing in drug discovery and development. It focuses on improving existing drug classes to create best-in-class new drugs for cancer, fibrosis, and related diseases. The company's portfolio includes RXC004 (porcupine inhibitor) in Phase I clinical trials for various cancers, ROCK inhibitors for inflammatory disease-related fibrosis, and Pan-RAF inhibitor for colorectal cancer. Redx Pharma has collaborations with global pharmaceutical companies and the NHS.
Inventiva Pharma
Post in 2020
Inventiva Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in France, dedicated to developing oral small molecule therapies aimed at addressing significant unmet medical needs in fibrosis, lysosomal storage disorders, and oncology. The company has established a robust pipeline supported by a proprietary discovery engine and a wholly-owned research and development facility. It possesses an extensive library of molecules and a team with considerable expertise in developing compounds that target nuclear receptors, transcription factors, and epigenetic modulation. Inventiva is advancing clinical candidates, including lanifibranor, which is being developed for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition currently lacking approved treatments. Additionally, the company is engaged in a variety of pre-clinical therapy programs, further strengthening its portfolio in the fields of oncology, fibrosis, and rare diseases.
GenSight Biologics
Post in 2019
GenSight Biologics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases of the eye. It uses gene therapy-based platforms, Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence and Optogenetics, to preserve or restore vision in patients with severe degenerative retinal diseases.
Inventiva Pharma
Post in 2019
Inventiva Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in France, dedicated to developing oral small molecule therapies aimed at addressing significant unmet medical needs in fibrosis, lysosomal storage disorders, and oncology. The company has established a robust pipeline supported by a proprietary discovery engine and a wholly-owned research and development facility. It possesses an extensive library of molecules and a team with considerable expertise in developing compounds that target nuclear receptors, transcription factors, and epigenetic modulation. Inventiva is advancing clinical candidates, including lanifibranor, which is being developed for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition currently lacking approved treatments. Additionally, the company is engaged in a variety of pre-clinical therapy programs, further strengthening its portfolio in the fields of oncology, fibrosis, and rare diseases.
Inotrem is a biotechnology company specializing in immunotherapy for acute and chronic inflammatory syndromes. It has developed a proprietary technology platform targeting the TREM-1 pathway to control unbalanced inflammatory responses, leading to the creation of nangibotide (LR12), a first-in-class TREM-1 inhibitor with potential applications in septic shock and myocardial infarction.
Abivax is a France-based clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics that harness the body's natural regulatory mechanisms to stabilize immune responses in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Its portfolio aims to address large unmet needs across autoimmune conditions, viral infections, and cancer, with obefazimod in Phase 3 trials for adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease. The company relies on its drug development platforms to advance treatments that modulate the immune system and potentially extend benefits to other inflammatory indications.
May Health
Series A in 2019
May Health is a healthcare company focused on addressing infertility related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The company has developed an innovative, minimally invasive procedure aimed at restoring ovulation in women with PCOS. This one-time treatment is performed transvaginally under ultrasound guidance, allowing for its execution in a clinical setting without the need for general anesthesia. May Health's approach seeks to provide patients with a more natural pregnancy experience by assisting the body to ovulate as it would naturally, thereby offering a less medicalized alternative to traditional fertility treatments.
AFYX Therapeutics
Debt Financing in 2019
AFYX Therapeutics A/S is a pharmaceutical company based in Copenhagen, Denmark, focused on developing and manufacturing treatments for mucosal diseases. Established in 2014, the company is known for its flagship product, the Rivelin® patch, which is designed for the treatment of oral lichen planus. This innovative patch is flexible, biodegradable, and adheres to mucosal surfaces, utilizing electrospinning technology to deliver medication directly to the affected area. By offering targeted therapies for conditions that currently lack approved treatment options, AFYX Therapeutics aims to enhance patient relief and support recovery without disrupting daily activities.
CinCor Pharma
Series A in 2019
CinCor Pharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, founded in 2018. The company specializes in the development of innovative treatments for cardiovascular, metabolic, and kidney diseases. Its primary focus is on CIN-107, an aldosterone synthase inhibitor aimed at addressing resistant hypertension and primary aldosteronism. By advancing its clinical candidates toward marketing approval, CinCor seeks to provide effective solutions for patients suffering from these conditions.
Twentyeight-Seven Therapeutics
Series A in 2019
Twentyeight-Seven Therapeutics is a developer of microRNAs designed to target regulatory proteins.The company's modulating RNA which are short non-coding RNAs that inhibit target gene expression by suppressing mRNA translation and promoting mRNA decay and develop small molecules that can modulate levels of miRNAs by targeting proteins that interact with these miRNAs, enabling users to target miRNAs are directly involved in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis.
GenSight Biologics
Post in 2019
GenSight Biologics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases of the eye. It uses gene therapy-based platforms, Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence and Optogenetics, to preserve or restore vision in patients with severe degenerative retinal diseases.
HighLife is a medical technology company specializing in Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) aimed at treating mitral valve regurgitation. Founded in 2010 by Georg Börtlein, the company is developing a minimally invasive prosthetic mitral valve designed to be implanted on a beating heart, allowing for the preservation of the native valve structure and surrounding anatomy. HighLife's innovative system facilitates a transseptal delivery through the femoral vein, enabling a reversible approach that minimizes trauma to patients during surgical procedures. The technology is currently undergoing clinical evaluation, with a focus on ensuring ease and safety of use for healthcare providers.
Checkmate Pharmaceuticals
Series C in 2018
Checkmate Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2015. The company specializes in developing novel immunotherapies for cancer treatment, with a focus on CpG oligonucleotides. These oligonucleotides activate an anti-tumor T-cell response and are combined with checkpoint inhibition to enhance the immune system's ability to combat tumors. Checkmate Pharmaceuticals has formed strategic alliances with Merck KGaA and Pfizer to advance its clinical programs, aiming to increase the efficacy of existing immunotherapies and provide new treatment options for cancer patients.
InCarda Therapeutics
Series B in 2018
InCarda Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Founded in 2009 and based in Newark, California, the company specializes in a novel inhaled treatment approach to manage acute cardiovascular conditions. Its lead product, InRhythm, is an inhaled formulation of an antiarrhythmic drug designed to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation quickly, allowing patients to administer the therapy in various settings, such as at home or work. By delivering medication directly to cardiac tissue, InCarda's therapy aims to provide effective treatment for atrial arrhythmias with a simplified approach. The company has completed Phase 1 clinical trials and is currently advancing its lead product through Phase 2 trials.
Inspirna is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing first-in-class cancer therapies that target RNA-regulated drivers of tumor growth. Using RNA biology-based discovery platforms, including miRNA-DRIVEr and RNA-DRIVEr, it identifies novel cancer targets and advances them with oral small-molecule medicines and antibody-drug conjugates. Its lead programs include RGX-202 for RAS-mutant colorectal cancer and RGX-104 for small cell and non-small cell lung cancers, currently in early-phase trials (Phase 1b/2). The company aims to translate RNA-centric targets into treatments for patients with cancers that lack effective options.
Enthera
Seed Round in 2018
Enthera is an Italian biotechnology startup established in October 2016 by BiovelocITA, Professor Paolo Fiorina, and Dr. Francesca D'Addio. The company specializes in developing biotherapeutics aimed at treating autoimmune disorders, with a focus on type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. Enthera's pipeline targets key pathways involved in cell apoptosis in the gut, pancreas, and other organs to combat these intractable conditions effectively.
Crescendo Biologics
Series B in 2018
Crescendo Biologics develops innovative antibody therapeutics using its proprietary platforms. The company focuses on generating high-affinity, human VH antibody fragments for oncology and other indications. Its technology is based on a transgenic mouse platform that enables the creation of fully human VHH domain building blocks.
Corvidia Therapeutics
Series B in 2018
Corvidia Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing precision therapies for cardiovascular and renal diseases. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on researching and commercializing innovative treatments aimed at addressing chronic kidney disease, particularly in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and inflammation, as well as conditions like high triglyceride-induced acute pancreatitis. Corvidia Therapeutics is recognized for its approach that targets specific biologic pathways, enabling healthcare providers to deliver more effective therapies to patients with unique sensitivities. As of July 2020, Corvidia operates as a subsidiary of Novo Nordisk A/S.
LimFlow is a medical technology company focused on developing innovative solutions for treating end-stage chronic limb ischemia (CLI) patients. Its flagship product, the LimFlow System, utilizes a novel percutaneous procedure to restore blood flow to the ischemic foot by diverting blood around diseased arteries into the tibial vein. This approach is designed to provide an elevated flow of oxygenated blood, thereby alleviating ischemic pain, promoting wound healing, reducing the risk of amputations, and enhancing patient mobility. Currently approved for sale in CE-mark regulated markets, the LimFlow System is also undergoing investigational use in the United States, where it offers new hope to patients who have exhausted other revascularization options. LimFlow emphasizes a multi-disciplinary team approach to maximize the benefits of its technology.
Inventiva Pharma
Post in 2018
Inventiva Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in France, dedicated to developing oral small molecule therapies aimed at addressing significant unmet medical needs in fibrosis, lysosomal storage disorders, and oncology. The company has established a robust pipeline supported by a proprietary discovery engine and a wholly-owned research and development facility. It possesses an extensive library of molecules and a team with considerable expertise in developing compounds that target nuclear receptors, transcription factors, and epigenetic modulation. Inventiva is advancing clinical candidates, including lanifibranor, which is being developed for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition currently lacking approved treatments. Additionally, the company is engaged in a variety of pre-clinical therapy programs, further strengthening its portfolio in the fields of oncology, fibrosis, and rare diseases.
SafeHeal is a medical device company specializing in digestive surgery. It develops and manufactures a vacuum-based, flexible bypass sheath designed to protect a gastrointestinal anastomosis after colorectal cancer surgery, remaining in place during healing to reduce ostomy needs and support postoperative recovery. The company originated as the first venture created and incubated by MD Start, a medtech accelerator, with backing from MD Start and Sofinnova Partners.
Mainstay Medical
Post in 2018
Mainstay Medical is a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing ReActiv8, an implantable neurostimulation system designed to treat chronic mechanical low back pain by restoring control to the lumbar stabilizing muscles. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, it operates in Ireland, the United States, and Australia and collaborates with scientists and clinical experts to deliver therapies for the large underserved population of people with debilitating chronic low back pain. Founded in 2008, the company aims to provide a restorative treatment that improves function and quality of life by reestablishing muscle control in the lumbar spine.
Mironid
Venture Round in 2018
Mironid Limited is a biotechnology company based in Newhouse, United Kingdom, that specializes in drug discovery and development. Founded in 2014, Mironid focuses on creating innovative drug candidate molecules that modulate key cell signaling proteins to address degenerative kidney diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancer. The company's pipeline includes unique compounds designed to treat these conditions, utilizing a Physiology Mirroring Approach that aligns drug target environments with those found in living cells. Mironid aims to identify and validate novel drug targets, particularly in areas with significant unmet medical needs, by leveraging advanced technologies to streamline and enhance the drug discovery process. Through its dedicated efforts, Mironid seeks to develop differentiated therapies that improve patient health and quality of life.
HOOKIPA Pharma
Series C in 2017
HOOKIPA Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing immune-therapeutics targeting infectious diseases and cancers using its proprietary arenavirus platform. Its lead product candidates include HB-101 for cytomegalovirus prevention in transplant patients, and HB-201/HB-202 for human papillomavirus-positive cancers.
HighLife is a medical technology company specializing in Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) aimed at treating mitral valve regurgitation. Founded in 2010 by Georg Börtlein, the company is developing a minimally invasive prosthetic mitral valve designed to be implanted on a beating heart, allowing for the preservation of the native valve structure and surrounding anatomy. HighLife's innovative system facilitates a transseptal delivery through the femoral vein, enabling a reversible approach that minimizes trauma to patients during surgical procedures. The technology is currently undergoing clinical evaluation, with a focus on ensuring ease and safety of use for healthcare providers.
Breath Therapeutics
Series A in 2017
Breath Therapeutics GmbH, based in Munich, Germany, with an additional office in Menlo Park, California, specializes in developing innovative drug-aerosol therapeutics aimed at treating bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and other severe respiratory diseases. Founded in 2016 and operating as a subsidiary of Zambon S.p.A., the company focuses on creating novel formulations of existing drugs combined with advanced inhalation technologies. Their drug-device combinations are designed to deliver high concentrations of therapeutics directly to the lungs, enhancing efficacy while minimizing systemic exposure. This approach targets rare respiratory diseases with significant unmet medical needs, positioning Breath Therapeutics at the forefront of inhalation therapy advancements.
myTomorrows
Venture Round in 2017
myTomorrows is an independent organization based in the Netherlands that focuses on improving access to treatments currently in development for patients with unmet medical needs. The company provides both patients and their doctors with comprehensive information about available treatment options worldwide, ensuring they are informed and can navigate administrative hurdles. By collaborating with medicine manufacturers, myTomorrows facilitates early access to innovative therapies for those who have exhausted viable treatment options. The organization has developed a Knowledge Base that integrates extensive medical and clinical data, offering an actionable overview of the full clinical development pipeline. This platform aims to enhance understanding and accessibility, ultimately supporting patients in finding the care they need.
HOOKIPA Pharma
Series B in 2016
HOOKIPA Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing immune-therapeutics targeting infectious diseases and cancers using its proprietary arenavirus platform. Its lead product candidates include HB-101 for cytomegalovirus prevention in transplant patients, and HB-201/HB-202 for human papillomavirus-positive cancers.
Inspirna is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing first-in-class cancer therapies that target RNA-regulated drivers of tumor growth. Using RNA biology-based discovery platforms, including miRNA-DRIVEr and RNA-DRIVEr, it identifies novel cancer targets and advances them with oral small-molecule medicines and antibody-drug conjugates. Its lead programs include RGX-202 for RAS-mutant colorectal cancer and RGX-104 for small cell and non-small cell lung cancers, currently in early-phase trials (Phase 1b/2). The company aims to translate RNA-centric targets into treatments for patients with cancers that lack effective options.
MedDay is an international biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases by targeting key neurometabolic pathways. Established in 2016, the company is focused on creating disease-modifying therapies that aim to repair and protect the nervous system. By investigating brain metabolism, MedDay seeks to address significant unmet medical needs and improve patient care for those affected by these disorders. The promising outcomes from their clinical trials motivate the company to continue exploring innovative treatment options, ultimately striving to enhance the quality of life for patients and their caregivers in the healthcare community.
Corvidia Therapeutics
Series A in 2016
Corvidia Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing precision therapies for cardiovascular and renal diseases. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on researching and commercializing innovative treatments aimed at addressing chronic kidney disease, particularly in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and inflammation, as well as conditions like high triglyceride-induced acute pancreatitis. Corvidia Therapeutics is recognized for its approach that targets specific biologic pathways, enabling healthcare providers to deliver more effective therapies to patients with unique sensitivities. As of July 2020, Corvidia operates as a subsidiary of Novo Nordisk A/S.
ENYO Pharma
Series A in 2016
ENYO Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Lyon, France, with additional operations in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 2014, it focuses on discovering and developing antiviral therapies by studying virus-host interactions within the human protein interaction network and leveraging its drug discovery platform to identify intracellular targets and molecules. The company's pipeline includes EYP001, a lead compound that modulates FXR, aiming to reduce the hepatitis B virus cccDNA reservoir and suppress viral transcription, and EYP002 for preclinical development. It also conducts toxicology testing for antiviral candidates against multiple viruses, including influenza, and pursues additional programs aimed at chronic hepatitis B and other infectious diseases. ENYO collaborates with researchers and institutions in Lyon, including Inserm and related biopole ecosystems, to advance its programs through early-stage clinical development and preclinical studies. The company aims to translate virus-host interaction biology into therapeutics for infectious diseases and related liver and metabolic conditions.
ObsEva SA is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Geneva, Switzerland, dedicated to developing innovative therapeutics for women's reproductive health and pregnancy. Founded in 2012 by Ernest Loumaye and André Chollet, the company focuses on addressing serious conditions affecting women. Its key products in development include Linzagolix, an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist aimed at treating pain from endometriosis and heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids. ObsEva is also working on OBE022, a once-daily oral prostaglandin F2α receptor antagonist designed for managing preterm labor between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation, and Nolasiban, an oral oxytocin receptor antagonist intended to enhance clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. The company operates primarily within the Swiss market while targeting global solutions for women's reproductive health needs.
ReCor Medical
Series D in 2015
ReCor Medical is a medical device company focused on treating resistant hypertension with a non-focused therapeutic ultrasound system for renal denervation. Its PARADISE technology comprises a six French catheter with a cylindrical transducer that delivers circumferential ultrasound energy to the renal nerves, while water-based cooling protects the renal artery and enables efficient nerve ablation. The system aims to reduce sympathetic nerve activity to lower blood pressure. The company designs, develops and manufactures this ultrasound ablation system and markets it through distributors in Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and Italy. ReCor Medical was founded in 2009 and is based in Palo Alto, California. In 2018, it became a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings.
myTomorrows
Venture Round in 2014
myTomorrows is an independent organization based in the Netherlands that focuses on improving access to treatments currently in development for patients with unmet medical needs. The company provides both patients and their doctors with comprehensive information about available treatment options worldwide, ensuring they are informed and can navigate administrative hurdles. By collaborating with medicine manufacturers, myTomorrows facilitates early access to innovative therapies for those who have exhausted viable treatment options. The organization has developed a Knowledge Base that integrates extensive medical and clinical data, offering an actionable overview of the full clinical development pipeline. This platform aims to enhance understanding and accessibility, ultimately supporting patients in finding the care they need.
Crescendo Biologics
Series A in 2014
Crescendo Biologics develops innovative antibody therapeutics using its proprietary platforms. The company focuses on generating high-affinity, human VH antibody fragments for oncology and other indications. Its technology is based on a transgenic mouse platform that enables the creation of fully human VHH domain building blocks.
ProQR Therapeutics
Series A in 2014
ProQR Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing RNA-based therapies for patients with severe genetic rare diseases. Its primary focus includes Leber's congenital amaurosis type 10, dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, and other inherited retinal disorders.
NuCana plc is a UK-based, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative cancer treatments. It specializes in transforming widely-used chemotherapy agents into more effective and safer medicines using its proprietary ProTide technology. NuCana's pipeline includes Acelarin, in Phase III trials for biliary tract and metastatic pancreatic cancers, and NUC-3373 & NUC-7738, in Phase I trials for advanced solid tumors. The company collaborates with academic institutions for research and licensing agreements. NuCana was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Edinburgh, with a focus on the U.S. market.
Inotrem is a biotechnology company specializing in immunotherapy for acute and chronic inflammatory syndromes. It has developed a proprietary technology platform targeting the TREM-1 pathway to control unbalanced inflammatory responses, leading to the creation of nangibotide (LR12), a first-in-class TREM-1 inhibitor with potential applications in septic shock and myocardial infarction.
Crescendo Biologics
Series A in 2013
Crescendo Biologics develops innovative antibody therapeutics using its proprietary platforms. The company focuses on generating high-affinity, human VH antibody fragments for oncology and other indications. Its technology is based on a transgenic mouse platform that enables the creation of fully human VHH domain building blocks.
Pixium Vision
Series A in 2013
Pixium Vision SA is a bioelectronics company based in Paris, France, focused on developing innovative implantable medical devices aimed at restoring vision for individuals blinded by the degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina. The company’s flagship product, the PRIMA System, is a bionic vision system designed to improve visual acuity and enhance the independence of patients. Pixium Vision also works on the Intelligent Retinal Implantable System (IRIS1), which is currently undergoing clinical trials, and is developing two subsequent generations, IRIS2 and IRIS3, each designed to provide improved visual capabilities through advanced technologies. Founded in 2011 as a spin-out from the Vision Institute and Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Pixium collaborates with prestigious institutions such as Stanford University and Moorfields Eye Hospital to further its research and development efforts in retinal implant systems.
HOOKIPA Pharma
Series B in 2013
HOOKIPA Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing immune-therapeutics targeting infectious diseases and cancers using its proprietary arenavirus platform. Its lead product candidates include HB-101 for cytomegalovirus prevention in transplant patients, and HB-201/HB-202 for human papillomavirus-positive cancers.
MedDay is an international biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases by targeting key neurometabolic pathways. Established in 2016, the company is focused on creating disease-modifying therapies that aim to repair and protect the nervous system. By investigating brain metabolism, MedDay seeks to address significant unmet medical needs and improve patient care for those affected by these disorders. The promising outcomes from their clinical trials motivate the company to continue exploring innovative treatment options, ultimately striving to enhance the quality of life for patients and their caregivers in the healthcare community.
ProQR Therapeutics
Seed Round in 2013
ProQR Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing RNA-based therapies for patients with severe genetic rare diseases. Its primary focus includes Leber's congenital amaurosis type 10, dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, and other inherited retinal disorders.
Flexion Therapeutics
Series B in 2012
Flexion Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and commercializing therapies for managing musculoskeletal conditions. Its flagship product, ZILRETTA, is an intra-articular injection used for knee osteoarthritis pain management in the United States.
NuCana plc is a UK-based, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative cancer treatments. It specializes in transforming widely-used chemotherapy agents into more effective and safer medicines using its proprietary ProTide technology. NuCana's pipeline includes Acelarin, in Phase III trials for biliary tract and metastatic pancreatic cancers, and NUC-3373 & NUC-7738, in Phase I trials for advanced solid tumors. The company collaborates with academic institutions for research and licensing agreements. NuCana was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Edinburgh, with a focus on the U.S. market.
NuCana plc is a UK-based, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative cancer treatments. It specializes in transforming widely-used chemotherapy agents into more effective and safer medicines using its proprietary ProTide technology. NuCana's pipeline includes Acelarin, in Phase III trials for biliary tract and metastatic pancreatic cancers, and NUC-3373 & NUC-7738, in Phase I trials for advanced solid tumors. The company collaborates with academic institutions for research and licensing agreements. NuCana was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Edinburgh, with a focus on the U.S. market.
HOOKIPA Pharma
Series A in 2011
HOOKIPA Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing immune-therapeutics targeting infectious diseases and cancers using its proprietary arenavirus platform. Its lead product candidates include HB-101 for cytomegalovirus prevention in transplant patients, and HB-201/HB-202 for human papillomavirus-positive cancers.
Creabilis
Series B in 2011
Creabilis is an emerging European specialty pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology and focused on developing innovative treatments for skin disorders. The company is committed to addressing significant unmet medical needs in this area and has a strong track record in dermatological research. Creabilis has established a robust pipeline of clinical and pre-clinical drug candidates, including its lead product, CT327, which is a topical treatment for chronic pruritus and is set to enter Phase II clinical trials. Additionally, the company plans to build a pruritus franchise around CT327 and another candidate, CT340, both of which were developed using its proprietary Low Systemic Exposure platform technology. Through its innovative drug discovery programs, Creabilis aims to market these products directly or in partnership, reinforcing its position in the specialty pharmaceuticals sector.
Omthera Pharmaceuticals
Series B in 2011
Omthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceuticals company that specializes in the clinical development of innovative therapies for dyslipidemia, a condition characterized by elevated triglyceride levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The company is led by a team of seasoned experts in the field of lipid disorders, committed to creating effective treatments aimed at improving patient outcomes. By focusing on the needs of the millions affected by dyslipidemia, Omthera strives to advance healthcare solutions that address this significant health challenge.
DBV Technologies
Series C in 2011
DBV Technologies is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on epicutaneous immunotherapy, delivering biologically active compounds to the immune system through the skin using its Viaskin platform. Its lead product candidate, Viaskin Peanut, targets peanut allergy and is advancing for use in children aged 4 to 11 and other age groups. The company is developing Viaskin Milk for immunotherapy of cow’s milk protein allergy and milk-induced eosinophilic esophagitis, Viaskin Egg in preclinical development for egg allergy, and a booster vaccine for Bordetella pertussis. Additional early-stage programs include efforts against respiratory syncytial virus, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes. DBV Technologies has collaborations to expand its diagnostic capabilities, including a patch-based test with Nestlé Health Science for non-IgE mediated CMPA. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Montrouge, France, the company emphasizes skin-delivered immunotherapy as its core approach.
ABIONYX Pharma
Series C in 2010
ABIONYX Pharma SA is a French biopharmaceutical company established in 2005, currently based in Labege. It specializes in the discovery and development of therapies targeting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) for treating cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The company's primary focus is on developing HDL mimetics to rapidly regress atherosclerotic plaque in high-risk patients. Its lead product candidate, CER-001, is a Phase II clinical trial asset designed to mimic the properties of pre-beta HDL for treating post-acute coronary syndrome patients and familial primary hypoalphalipoproteinemia patients. Additionally, ABIONYX Pharma has another drug candidate, CER-209, in Phase I trials for metabolic diseases and liver-related conditions such as atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis.
Mainstay Medical
Series A in 2010
Mainstay Medical is a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing ReActiv8, an implantable neurostimulation system designed to treat chronic mechanical low back pain by restoring control to the lumbar stabilizing muscles. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, it operates in Ireland, the United States, and Australia and collaborates with scientists and clinical experts to deliver therapies for the large underserved population of people with debilitating chronic low back pain. Founded in 2008, the company aims to provide a restorative treatment that improves function and quality of life by reestablishing muscle control in the lumbar spine.
TME Pharma
Series D in 2010
Founded in 1997, TME Pharma is a Berlin-based biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of biostable aptamers and substances derived from mirror image nucleic acids. Its lead product, NOX-A12, targets the tumor microenvironment to enhance cancer therapy effectiveness.
Omthera Pharmaceuticals
Series A in 2010
Omthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceuticals company that specializes in the clinical development of innovative therapies for dyslipidemia, a condition characterized by elevated triglyceride levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The company is led by a team of seasoned experts in the field of lipid disorders, committed to creating effective treatments aimed at improving patient outcomes. By focusing on the needs of the millions affected by dyslipidemia, Omthera strives to advance healthcare solutions that address this significant health challenge.
Crescendo Biologics
Seed Round in 2009
Crescendo Biologics develops innovative antibody therapeutics using its proprietary platforms. The company focuses on generating high-affinity, human VH antibody fragments for oncology and other indications. Its technology is based on a transgenic mouse platform that enables the creation of fully human VHH domain building blocks.
Flexion Therapeutics
Series A in 2009
Flexion Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and commercializing therapies for managing musculoskeletal conditions. Its flagship product, ZILRETTA, is an intra-articular injection used for knee osteoarthritis pain management in the United States.