June 23, 2021 top three startups: Form Health, Apollo Therapeutics, Brightline
Basma.com Raises $3M in Series A Funding
BASMA.com, a London, UK-based digital healthcare platform working for orthodontics focused on MENA, raised $3M in Series A funding.
The round was led by MEVP with the participation from SOSF, IM capital and returning investors iSME, Cedar Mundi Ventures and IFA capital.
The company intends to use the funds to hire new talent, expand its geographic reach across the Middle East, and grow its network of partner dental clinics across KSA, UAE, and the region, to reach more cities and countries in the GCC.
Founded by Dr. Cherif Massoud and Hrag Hayrabedian, BASMA.com uses ISO and CE certified invisible teeth aligners, 3D-printed in-house, to assist its network of partner clinics to treat patients with mild to moderate cases of teeth crowding and spacing in an average of 6 months.
Basma.com Raises $3M in Series A Funding
BASMA.com, a London, UK-based digital healthcare platform working for orthodontics focused on MENA, raised $3M in Series A funding
Sweden’s medical history digitiser and collaboration platform Doctrin raises €13 million
Doctrin, a medtech startup hailing from Stockholm, has raised €13 million to further its efforts of providing, “patient-centric healthcare, free from barriers”. In doing so, Doctrin is now looking beyond its existing markets of Sweden, the Czech Republic, Norway, and the UK, and developing new medical specialty offerings. To date, the firm has raised approximately €26 million.
Founded in 2016 by Ashkan Labaf, Magnus Liungman, and Mattias Bernow, Doctrin takes on the traditional paper-based medical history file by offering health care professionals a mechanism to enter a history digitally, with the end result being a high-quality medical report, one that providers can make assessments and decisions from in record-breaking time.
Sweden’s medical history digitiser and collaboration platform Doctrin raises €13 million – Tech.eu
Doctrin, a medtech startup hailing from Stockholm, has raised €13 million to further its efforts of providing, “patient-centric healthcare, free from barriers”. In doing so, Doctrin is now looking beyond […]
Veralox Therapeutics Closes $16.6M Series A Financing
Veralox Therapeutics, a Frederick, Md.-based biotechnology company developing first-in-class small molecule therapeutics that treat the underlying pathologies of diseases with significant unmet medical needs, closed a $16.6m Series A financing.
The round was led by Hatteras Venture Partners with participation from Genesys Capital, Point Field Partners and Alexandria Venture Investments as well as support from previous investors Sanofi Ventures, JDRF T1D Fund, Maryland Momentum Fund, VTC Innovation Fund and TEDCO. In conjunction with the funding, Ben Scruggs, PhD, principal at Hatteras Venture Partners, and Jamie Stiff, MBA, managing director at Genesys Capital, will join the Veralox Therapeutics board of directors.
The company intends to use the funds to advance the development program for its lead product candidate VLX-1005 for the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
Led by Jeffrey W. Strovel, PhD, chief executive officer, Veralox Therapeutics is developing first-in-class therapeutics that target the underlying pathologies of diseases with unmet medical needs based on advanced understanding of the role of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) in the onset and development of many serious diseases and conditions. The company’s lead candidate, VLX-1005, is in development for the treatment of patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Second generation therapeutic products are under development for type 1 diabetes and other immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases.
Veralox Therapeutics Closes $16.6M Series A Financing | FinSMEs
Veralox Therapeutics, a Frederick, Md.-based biotechnology company developing first-in-class small molecule therapeutics that treat the underlying pathologies of diseases with significant unmet medical needs, closed a $16.6m Series A financing
Sempre Health Raises $15M in Series B Financing
Sempre Health, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a behavior-based healthcare pricing solution, closed a $15M Series B financing.
The round was led by the Blue Venture Fund – a collaboration among Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) companies, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and Sandbox, with participation from UPMC Enterprises and existing investors Rethink Impact, LifeForce Capital and Industry Ventures.
The company intends to use the funds to advance its two-sided network of payors and pharma manufacturers nationwide and further grow the number of chronic disease patients Sempre can help access their medications.
Led by Anurati Mathur, CEO, Sempre Health works with health plans and pharmaceutical companies to reduce costs for patients who refill their prescriptions on time. By combining technology, behavioral science, and dynamic pricing, Sempre Health aims to boost all of its members’ medication adherence to exceed 80 percent of days covered, improve the health of people and save hundreds of billions of dollars in avoidable medical costs.
Sempre Health Raises $15M in Series B Financing | FinSMEs
Sempre Health, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a behavior-based healthcare pricing solution, closed a $15M Series B financing
Form Health Raises $12M in Series A Funding
Form Health, a Boston, MA-based obesity telemedicine company, raised $12M in Series A funding.
The round was led by M13 with participation from SignalFire and NextView Ventures.
The company intends to use the funds to expand availability to 90% of the US population.
Founded by CEO Evan Richardson and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Florencia Halperin, Form Health is a medically supervised weight loss program that combines virtual care from board certified physicians with FDA-approved medications. The company employs a staff of board certified physicians and registered dietitians trained in obesity management. Each patient is paired with a physician and dietitian team for frequent check-ins that incorporate medical guidance and behavioral, nutrition, and activity changes for lasting weight loss and improved health.
Form Health Raises $12M in Series A Funding
Form Health, a Boston, MA-based obesity telemedicine company, raised $12M in Series A funding
35 million euros against erectile dysfunction, hair loss and stress
Intimate health, hair loss or psychological stress - Manuel Nothelfer and Nico Hribernik are not intimidated by topics that others may not like to talk about. They have now received growth capital for their health platforms, which they operate under the umbrella of Wellster Healthtech: 35 million euros have been raised in the financing round that has now been concluded.
The round is led by the listed pharmaceutical company Dermapharm, and the existing investors HV Capital and SevenVentures, the investment arm of the ProsiebenSat.1 Group, also followed suit. The fact that the financiers opened their wallets is probably also due to the fact that there are already successful templates for the business model in the USA: While the provider Hims presented an IPO in January at a valuation of 1.6 billion US dollars, competitor Roman wants according to rumors - and even exceed the rating. Wellster wants to follow suit and become number one in vertically integrated health platforms outside of North America.
35 Millionen Euro gegen Erektionsstörungen, Haarausfall und Stress
Szeneköpfe haben Wellster aus München angeschoben. Nun hat die Gesundheitsplattform viel Geld aufgenommen – und will durch Zukäufe wachsen.
Apollo Therapeutics Raises $145M in Funding
Apollo Therapeutics, a Cambridge UK-based biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing treatments based on breakthrough discoveries, raised $145M in funding.
The round was led by Patient Square Capital, with participation from Rock Springs Capital, Reimagined Ventures and UCL Technology Fund. In conjunction with the financing, Jim Momtazee, Managing Partner of Patient Square Capital, will join Apollo’s Board of Directors.
The company intends to use the funds to advance its pipeline into development across oncology, major inflammatory disorders and rare disease, expand its U.S. operations in Boston area, and pursue collaborations globally with leading academic institutions.
Led by Dr. Richard Mason, CEO, Dr. Richard Butt, chief scientific officer, Jamie Heath, chief financial officer, and Arjun Krishnan, chief business officer, Apollo Therapeutics is a portfolio-based biopharmaceutical company advancing potentially transformative treatments based on breakthrough discoveries. The company was originally established in late 2015 as a joint venture between the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London (then subsequently IP Group Plc), University College London, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Johnson & Johnson Innovation to set-up to to develop therapeutics that have transformative potential above the current standard of care. The company evaluates breakthrough scientific discoveries across multiple criteria, including having a compelling and testable biological hypothesis or having a differentiated mechanism or technology compared to other therapeutics in development or on the market.
Apollo Therapeutics Raises $145M in Funding | FinSMEs
Apollo Therapeutics, a Cambridge UK-based biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing treatments based on breakthrough discoveries, raised $145M in funding
Mnemo Therapeutics Raises €75M in Series A Funding
Mnemo Therapeutics, a Paris, France-based biotechnology company developing cell therapies using a novel target identification engine, stronger T cells and manufacturing, completed a €75m ($90m) Series A financing.
The round was led by Casdin Capital, returning investor Sofinnova Partners, and an undisclosed investor, with participation from Redmile, Emerson Collective and Alexandria Venture Investments.
The company intends to use the funds to accelerate development of the EnfiniT targeting and next generation chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) T cell therapy platform combining research from Institut Curie and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).
Led by Alain Maiore, CEO, Mnemo Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing cell therapies that create accessible cures. With its EnfiniT platform, a drug discovery engine, Mnemo applies a novel, integrated approach to cell therapy through precise identification of a new class of antigens with target specificity and the ability to efficiently reprogram T cells to increase their memory phenotype, as well as refine their engineering.
Mnemo Therapeutics Raises €75M in Series A Funding
Mnemo Therapeutics, a Paris, France-based biotechnology company developing cell therapies using a novel target identification engine, stronger T cells and manufacturing, completed a €75m ($90m) Series A financing
VectorY Raises €31M in Seed Funding
VictorY, an Amsterdam, The Netherlands-based biotechnology company, raised €31M in seed funding.
The round was led by Forbion and an unnamed global investment firm, with participation from BGV and Eli Lilly and Company.
The company intends to use the funds to establish pre-clinical proof of concept for vectorized antibodies in target indications of ALS and Alzheimer’s, to further expand the team, and to establish proprietary manufacturing capabilities, including a GMP facility in the Netherlands.
Led by newly appointed CEO Alexander Vos and CTO Dr. Sander van Deventer, VectorY Therapeutics is a biotech company focusing on the development of innovative gene therapy approaches for the treatment of muscular and neurodegenerative disorders through vectorized antibodies.
Launched in October 2020, the company has established its laboratories and offices at the Amsterdam Science Park in The Netherlands and is developing a pipeline of vectorized antibodies targeting muscular and CNS diseases, based on a novel AAV platform and innovative antibody-based targeted degradation technologies. These non-immunogenic viral vectors have enhanced properties of cell type specificity, thus improving delivery, durability and accessibility of targeted tissues and cells.
VectorY Raises €31M in Seed Funding | FinSMEs
VictorY, an Amsterdam, The Netherlands-based biotechnology company, raised €31M in seed funding
Umoja Biopharma Raises $210M in Series B Funding
Umoja Biopharma, a Seattle, WA-based oncology company, closed a $210m Series B financing.
The round was co-led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Cormorant Asset Management with participation from new investors, including RTW Investments, LP; Temasek; Presight Capital (the international venture arm of Christian Angermayer’s Apeiron Investment Group); Caas Capital; and an investment fund associated with SVB Leerink. They were joined by all the company’s existing investors: MPM Capital, DCVC Bio, Qiming Venture Partners USA, Casdin Capital, The Emerson Collective, and Alexandria Venture Investments.
Led by Andrew Scharenberg, M.D., co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Ryan Crisman, Ph.D., co-founder and Chief Technical Officer, Umoja Biopharma leverages proprietary integrated technologies to reprogram immune cells in vivo to create next-generation immunotherapies for the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
Umoja Biopharma Raises $210M in Series B Funding | FinSMEs
Umoja Biopharma, a Seattle, WA-based oncology company, closed a $210m Series B financing
Brightline Raises $72M in Series B Funding
Brightline, a Palo Alto CA-based provider of a behavioral health solution built specifically for children, teens, and their families, raised $72M in Series B funding.
The round was led by GV which participation from Optum Ventures, 7wireVentures, and Gaingels and returning investors Oak HC/FT, Threshold Ventures, Blue Shield of California, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, SemperVirens VC, and City Light Capital. Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO Emeritus, BET Networks, also contributed to the round as an independent investor. The round includes $7M of venture debt from Silicon Valley Bank. Ben Robbins, psychiatrist and Venture Partner at GV, is joining Brightline’s Board of Directors. Glen Tullman, CEO of Transcarent and Managing Partner at 7wireVentures, and Laura Veroneau, Partner at Optum Ventures, are joining Brightline as Board Observers.
The company, which has now raised a total of nearly $100 million in funding to date, intends to use the funds to to scale care across the country.
Led by Naomi Allen, CEO and co-founder, Brightline provides technology-enabled pediatric behavioral health care.
Brightline Raises $72M in Series B Funding | FinSMEs
Brightline, a Palo Alto CA-based provider of a behavioral health solution built specifically for children, teens, and their families, raised $72M in Series B funding
Circle Pharma Raises $66M in Series C Financing
Circle Pharma, Inc., a South San Francisco, Calif.-based macrocycle drug discovery and development company focused on intractable cancer targets, raised $66m in Series C financing.
The round was co-led by The Column Group and Nextech Invest with participation from Pandect Bioventures, together with new investors including Euclidean Capital, Pavillion Capital, Hartford HealthCare Endowment and Eli Lilly and Company.
The company intends to use the funds to advance its wholly owned cyclin-targeted programs towards the clinic, with potential applications in Rb-dysregulated cancers such as small cell lung cancer and cyclin E dependent malignancies, including ovarian cancer. In addition, Circle Pharma will apply its macrocycle platform to other precision oncology targets that have a clear therapeutic rationale but are considered undruggable with small molecules.
Led by David J. Earp, J.D., Ph.D., President and CEO, Circle is developing a technology platform that facilitates the design and synthesis of intrinsically cell-permeable macrocycles that can address both intra- and extra-cellular therapeutic targets, and can be delivered by multiple routes, including oral administration. Its macrocycle drug discovery & development platform is applicable across a wide range of serious diseases and the company is initially focusing its development efforts on intracellular protein-protein interactions that are key drivers in cancer.
Circle Pharma Raises $66M in Series C Financing
Circle Pharma, Inc., a South San Francisco, Calif.-based macrocycle drug discovery and development company focused on intractable cancer targets, raised $66m in Series C financing
Lenz Therapeutics Raises $47M in Series A Financing
Lenz Therapeutics, a San Diego, CA-based biopharmaceutical company with a lead late clinical-stage program that represents a potential therapy for presbyopia, raised $47m in Series A funding.
Backers included Versant Ventures and RA Capital Management.
The company intends to use the funds to progress its lead asset, an eyedrop formulation of aceclidine, towards an NDA submission for the treatment of presbyopia.
Led by Eef Schimmelpennink, CEO, Lenz Therapeutics is a late-stage clinical company developing innovative ophthalmic pharmaceutical products that improve vision. Its lead program, aceclidine, is an eye drop designed to restore the loss of near vision associated with presbyopia. Aceclidine is an NCE in the U.S. and has an established safety profile from its prior use in Europe for glaucoma.
Lenz Therapeutics Raises $47M in Series A Financing | FinSMEs
Lenz Therapeutics, a San Diego, CA-based biopharmaceutical company with a lead late clinical-stage program that represents a potential therapy for presbyopia, raised $47m in Series A funding
ViaCyte Raises $45M in Funding
ViaCyte, a San Diego CA-based regenerative medicine company, raised $45M in Series D funding.
The round, which brought total Series D to more than $115m, includes participation from existing investors Bain Capital Life Sciences, TPG Capital, RA Capital Management, Sanderling Ventures, Adage Capital Partners, Invus Group, Asymmetry Ventures, and Artis Ventures.
The company intends to use the funds to advance its portfolio of stem cell-derived therapies designed to provide a functional cure for patients with type 1 diabetes.
Led by Michael Yang, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Brittany Bradrick, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, ViaCyte is a regenerative medicine company developing novel cell replacement therapies based on two major technological advances: cell replacement therapies derived from pluripotent stem cells and medical device systems for cell encapsulation and implantation. The company’s first product candidates are being developed as potential long-term treatments for patients with type 1 diabetes to achieve glucose control targets and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia and diabetes-related complications. To accelerate and expand its efforts, ViaCyte has established collaborative partnerships with such companies as CRISPR Therapeutics and W.L. Gore & Associates. ViaCyte is headquartered in San Diego, California.
ViaCyte Raises $45M in Funding | FinSMEs
ViaCyte, a San Diego CA-based regenerative medicine company, raised $45M in Series D funding
R-Zero Raises $41.5M in Series B Funding
R-Zero, a San Francisco, CA-based biosafety technology company dedicated to reducing the spread of infectious disease, raised $41.5m in Series B funding.
The round, which brought total capital raised to over $58m, was led by World Innovation Lab with participation from John Doerr and current investors DBL Partners and SOSV / HAX. Rob Theis, General Partner at WiL, joined R-Zero’s Board of Directors as part of the round.
The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the development and deployment of its automated disinfection ecosystem.
Founded in early 2020 by Grant Morgan, CEO, R-Zero is a biosafety technology company dedicated to developing disinfection technologies to reduce the spread of all infectious diseases. Its first product, Arc [an IoT-enabled, whole-room UV disinfection device] is currently enabling a higher level of health safety for hundreds of thousands of people, across both public and private sector organizations, without the use of chemicals.
R-Zero Raises $41.5M in Series B Funding
R-Zero, a San Francisco, CA-based biosafety technology company dedicated to reducing the spread of infectious disease, raised $41.5m in Series B funding
Nuevocor Closes US$24M Series A Financing
Nuevocor, a Singapore-based preclinical-stage biotech company specializing in gene therapy for cardiomyopathies, closed a $24m Series A financing round.
The round was co-led by EVX Ventures and Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF), with EDBI, Xora Innovation, SEEDS Capital and other investors joining the syndicate.
Led by founding CEO Dr Yann Chong Tan, Nuevocor is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing AAV gene therapy for the treatment of genetically defined cardiac diseases with high unmet need. Its lead program, lamin A/C dilated cardiomyopathy (LMNA DCM) gene therapy is based on decades of research into fundamental mechanisms underlying LMNA-associated disease enabled by development of novel technologies on the part of scientific co-founders Colin Stewart and Brian Burke of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research.