Versant Ventures

Founded in 1999, Versant Ventures is a global healthcare investment firm dedicated to supporting exceptional entrepreneurs building innovative companies. With over $2 billion under management and offices across North America and Europe, the firm invests across all stages of healthcare company development, with a focus on novel therapeutics. Versant's team, with deep investment, operating, and scientific expertise, takes a hands-on approach to company building.

Brian Atwood

Managing Director

Mehmet Badur

Principal

Brad Bolzon

Managing Partner

Jeremy Caldwell

Venture Partner

Sam Colella

Managing Partner

Past deals in Switzerland

VectivBio

Venture Round in 2020
VectivBio AG is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2019 as a spinout from Therachon. The company specializes in the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative treatments for severe rare diseases, particularly those with significant unmet medical needs. Its lead product candidate, Apraglutide, is a synthetic GLP-2 analog designed to enhance the intestine’s ability to absorb fluids and nutrients, thereby reducing the reliance on parenteral support in patients with short bowel syndrome. VectivBio is dedicated to developing best-in-disease therapies that aim to meaningfully improve the lives of patients and their families, providing more than just incremental advancements over existing standard-of-care options.

VectivBio

Series A in 2020
VectivBio AG is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2019 as a spinout from Therachon. The company specializes in the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative treatments for severe rare diseases, particularly those with significant unmet medical needs. Its lead product candidate, Apraglutide, is a synthetic GLP-2 analog designed to enhance the intestine’s ability to absorb fluids and nutrients, thereby reducing the reliance on parenteral support in patients with short bowel syndrome. VectivBio is dedicated to developing best-in-disease therapies that aim to meaningfully improve the lives of patients and their families, providing more than just incremental advancements over existing standard-of-care options.

Anokion

Series B in 2019
Anokion is a biotechnology company focused on antigen-specific immune tolerance to reduce immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins and treat autoimmune and allergic diseases. A spin-off from EPFL, it uses a platform technology that can be applied to many proteins across multiple clinical indications, including autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes. The company is based in Ecublens, Switzerland.

Therachon

Series B in 2018
Therachon is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of treatments for rare genetic diseases that lack available therapies. Primarily based in Basel, Switzerland, with research labs in Nice, France, the company is advancing its lead candidate, TA-46, a novel protein therapy aimed at treating achondroplasia, the most prevalent form of short-limbed dwarfism. In addition to its focus on achondroplasia, Therachon is also committed to developing therapeutics targeting rare gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal disorders, with the goal of enabling medical professionals to effectively manage conditions such as short bowel syndrome.

Therachon

Series A in 2017
Therachon is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of treatments for rare genetic diseases that lack available therapies. Primarily based in Basel, Switzerland, with research labs in Nice, France, the company is advancing its lead candidate, TA-46, a novel protein therapy aimed at treating achondroplasia, the most prevalent form of short-limbed dwarfism. In addition to its focus on achondroplasia, Therachon is also committed to developing therapeutics targeting rare gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal disorders, with the goal of enabling medical professionals to effectively manage conditions such as short bowel syndrome.

Therachon

Series A in 2015
Therachon is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of treatments for rare genetic diseases that lack available therapies. Primarily based in Basel, Switzerland, with research labs in Nice, France, the company is advancing its lead candidate, TA-46, a novel protein therapy aimed at treating achondroplasia, the most prevalent form of short-limbed dwarfism. In addition to its focus on achondroplasia, Therachon is also committed to developing therapeutics targeting rare gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal disorders, with the goal of enabling medical professionals to effectively manage conditions such as short bowel syndrome.

Piqur Therapeutics

Series A in 2015
PIQUR Therapeutics AG is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2011. The company specializes in the discovery and development of innovative anti-cancer drugs, focusing on lipid kinase (PI3K) and mTOR inhibition, which are recognized as effective drug targets in oncology. PIQUR's pipeline includes promising compounds, with its lead drug, bimiralisib, designed to dual inhibit the PI3K/mTOR pathway. By developing targeted therapies for oncology and dermatology, PIQUR Therapeutics aims to improve the lives of cancer patients and address genetic diseases, ultimately enhancing their recovery and overall quality of life. The company holds a secured patent scope that protects many of its chemical compounds, reinforcing its commitment to advancing cancer treatment.

CRISPR Therapeutics

Series B in 2015
CRISPR Therapeutics specializes in developing transformative gene-based medicines using its proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing platform. This technology enables precise, directed changes to genomic DNA for treating serious human diseases. The company focuses on various disease areas including hemoglobinopathies, oncology, regenerative medicine, and rare diseases.

CRISPR Therapeutics

Series A in 2015
CRISPR Therapeutics specializes in developing transformative gene-based medicines using its proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing platform. This technology enables precise, directed changes to genomic DNA for treating serious human diseases. The company focuses on various disease areas including hemoglobinopathies, oncology, regenerative medicine, and rare diseases.

Anokion

Series A in 2014
Anokion is a biotechnology company focused on antigen-specific immune tolerance to reduce immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins and treat autoimmune and allergic diseases. A spin-off from EPFL, it uses a platform technology that can be applied to many proteins across multiple clinical indications, including autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes. The company is based in Ecublens, Switzerland.

CRISPR Therapeutics

Series A in 2014
CRISPR Therapeutics specializes in developing transformative gene-based medicines using its proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing platform. This technology enables precise, directed changes to genomic DNA for treating serious human diseases. The company focuses on various disease areas including hemoglobinopathies, oncology, regenerative medicine, and rare diseases.

Piqur Therapeutics

Series A in 2014
PIQUR Therapeutics AG is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2011. The company specializes in the discovery and development of innovative anti-cancer drugs, focusing on lipid kinase (PI3K) and mTOR inhibition, which are recognized as effective drug targets in oncology. PIQUR's pipeline includes promising compounds, with its lead drug, bimiralisib, designed to dual inhibit the PI3K/mTOR pathway. By developing targeted therapies for oncology and dermatology, PIQUR Therapeutics aims to improve the lives of cancer patients and address genetic diseases, ultimately enhancing their recovery and overall quality of life. The company holds a secured patent scope that protects many of its chemical compounds, reinforcing its commitment to advancing cancer treatment.

Realeve

Series C in 2011
Autonomic Technologies, Inc. is a medical device company that specializes in developing and commercializing innovative therapies for autonomic disorders, with a particular emphasis on severe headaches. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, the company has additional offices in Germany and Switzerland. Its flagship product, the ATI Neurostimulation System, is a miniaturized, battery-less microstimulator designed to deliver low-level energy directly to the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) to effectively treat chronic cluster headaches. This technology aims to set a new standard in the management of severe headaches and migraines, providing patients with a safe and effective treatment option.

Realeve

Series B in 2009
Autonomic Technologies, Inc. is a medical device company that specializes in developing and commercializing innovative therapies for autonomic disorders, with a particular emphasis on severe headaches. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, the company has additional offices in Germany and Switzerland. Its flagship product, the ATI Neurostimulation System, is a miniaturized, battery-less microstimulator designed to deliver low-level energy directly to the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) to effectively treat chronic cluster headaches. This technology aims to set a new standard in the management of severe headaches and migraines, providing patients with a safe and effective treatment option.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.