Next Phase Newsletter

A specialist investor funded by private investors and which has operations in Europe and the USA exclusively focuses on investments in early-stage drug development companies targeting cancer therapies. The firm is most interested in companies from late seed stage to Series A. The investment size will vary, and it can range from a few hundred thousand dollars up to a couple of million dollars. The firm may make 3-4 investments in the next year, depending on the opportunity. The firm has no geographic restriction and is actively seeking new investment opportunities across the globe.

In the life sciences, the firm is currently seeking new investments targeting the development of oncology therapies, and is open to all types of therapies within the oncology space, including platform technology. The firm will not invest in medical devices or diagnostics. The firm typically invests in companies with solid preclinical proof-of-concept (late preclinical stage/pre-IND), and will fund the companies at least up to human proof-of-concept (clinical Phase Ib – Phase IIa). Historically, the firm was active in companies targeting immunotherapy and tumor cell metabolism within the oncology field, but does not restrict future investments to these strategies within oncology as the firm is open to new targets and approaches within the field.

The firm only invests in private companies with experienced management teams and breakthrough potential. The firm looks to be a lead investor and typically prefers a board seat upon investment. As a strategic investor, the firm will support portfolio companies with partnership management services, including filling management teams with experts in the field.

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com

The corporate venture capital arm of an integrated healthcare system is making investments out of a $150 million dollar fund. The firm can invest as little as $5 million but tends to allocate $7-$10 million initially, and $10-$15 million over the lifetime of an investment. The firm only invests in preferred equity rounds, and is comfortable leading life sciences deals, particularly in healthcare IT. The firm only invests in US-based and incorporated companies. The group is a strategic investor capable of forging relationships with the health system, but is also financially motivated. The firm is involved in approximately 4-5 new investments each year.

The firm is primarily interested in healthcare IT and healthcare services companies with a B2B focus. Physician-facing health IT technologies are also of interest, but given the inherent difficulties with adoption of such technologies, would need significant traction/users to be considered. Diagnostics, medical devices and drug delivery companies will be evaluated secondarily, pending and necessary FDA approval has been received. Companies that are able to benefit the healthcare system’s members are of particular interest. The firm is indication agnostic, however, and is not interested in investing into companies working with novel compounds or therapeutics. The firm is looking for mid to later-stage companies for investment.

The firm looks to invest in companies that have already received institutional funding from highly qualified investors where the investor syndicate has majority stake in the company. The firm will consider companies that are both pre and post-revenue, but is primarily interested in companies with early (single digit millions) commercial traction.

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com

An early-stage venture capital firm based in Toronto, Canada is making medtech investments out of its third fund. The firm generally looks to make investments in companies ranging from $1 – $5 million initially and up to $10 million over the life of the investment. The firm is focused on Canadian companies, but will work with companies in the Northeastern and Midwestern U.S. as well. The firm aims to make approximately 2-3 new investments per year.

Within the life science space, the firm is looking for medical device and diagnostics companies that have a clear path to FDA approval, and will look at any devices/diagnostics, pre-FDA approval including 510(k) and PMA pathways. In addition to medtech, the firm is also interested in health IT with the focus being on B2B software-centric companies. The firm is looking for companies that have managed to demonstrate market interest in their product prior to investment.

The firm looks to be a very active investor in chosen companies and always pursues a board seat. The firm looks for strong experienced management teams and looks to bring their own entrepreneurial experience to aid in the growth and expansion of companies.

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com

A Shanghai-based private equity fund formed through a partnership between two Chinese healthcare firms is focusing on pharmaceuticals, medical device & diagnostics, and medical services. The firm typically makes equity investments of US$5-10 million per deal over a 5-6 year exit horizon. The firm is open to leading or co-investing. The firm is currently seeking opportunities from China and the U.S.

The firm has a clearly defined investment focus primarily on three healthcare subsectors: Pharmaceuticals, Medical Device & Diagnostic, and Medical Service. Within pharmaceuticals, the firm considers chemical drugs in Oncology, Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, second generation drugs, brand generics, OTC, drug delivery platforms, CRO/CMO; biotech products in Biosimilar, Vaccines, blood product, etc.; and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Within Medical Device and Diagnostics, the firm is interested in High-end devices, Consumables, Implantable Devices and Interventional Devices with high-technical barriers, Molecular Diagnostics, Immunological Diagnostics, and Genetic Diagnostics. In addition, the firm is seeking R&D services that support cell therapy, stem cell, and new therapies. For first-in-class products, the firm prefers products in Phase 2 trials or later. For 505b2 drugs or medical devices, the firm considers from preclinical to pre-IND stages.

The firm is looking for experienced management teams with sector expertise. Within China, the firm prefers company with approved products and sales track record. Within the U.S., the firm can consider earlier stage companies depending on the business model and exit strategy. The firm’s GP has strong network in China and can offer assistance in distribution and registration.

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com

A Japan-based medtech corporation with a California office is seeking to invest in venture-stage startup companies. Typical allocation sizes range from $0.2M-$2M, and may be structured as research funds, equity, or convertible loans depending on the phase of development. The firm will consider companies at all stages from concept to OTM, with OTM products being candidates for M&A and distribution agreements. Investments are focused on medical technology and diagnostics companies.

The firm is interested in medical technology and diagnostics companies across indications, but has a current focus in cardiovascular and regenerative indication areas.  Technologies at any stage of development may be considered.

The firm may or may not seek a board seat on companies they invest in. They are open to working with all management teams, and view deals globally.

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com

A Canada-based investment group formed by successful entrepreneurs seeks to invest globally in small-to-mid sized medical device and pharmaceutical companies. The firm can act as a co-investor or lead, and can leverage distribution networks and partnerships across 4 continents. Typical allocations are < $25 M structured as equity, and may come from a combination of the firm’s fund, partners’ personal funds, or a family office whose wealth is managed by the firm. Portfolio companies focus on specialty pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, & ancillary health services.

The firm’s specialty area is in generic pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution, and manufacturing and distribution of specialty medical devices. Urology and urogynecology devices, injectable medications, cardiovascular medications, dental devices, vaccines, oncology therepeutics, diagnostics, and surgical simulators are reflected in portfolio companies. Devices that fit well in the focus and distribution regions of portfolio companies are of particular interest.

The firm looks for strong & accomplished management teams and above all, values, innovation, transparency, integrity, and execution. The firm may or may not seek a board seat depending on the structure of the allocation.

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com

A venture capital firm based in Cambridge, MA raised a new fund in 2015, which closed at $500 million. The firm makes highly varied allocations, and focuses on investing in North American biotech hubs (including Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego), but also considers opportunities elsewhere in North America and in Europe.

The firm invests in therapeutic companies with products at the preclinical development stage. The firm typically invests in biologics and NCEs rather than optimizations of existing chemical entities. The firm is opportunistic regarding indication areas but focuses on oncology, CNS, anti-infectives, and other serious life-threatening diseases (including orphan diseases), and generally does not invest in fields that require large Phase III trials such as cardiology and diabetes.

The firm seeks companies pursuing disease targets that have been rigorously validated via animal studies, pharmacology and/or genetic studies. The firm invests in high-quality management teams, and syndicates investments with a select group of preferred strategic and financial investors.

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com