Hot Investor Mandate: VC Firm Backed by a Family Trust Invests in All Life Science Technologies Related to Cardiovascular and Neurovascular Disease Globally

2 Mar

A philanthropic venture firm was established by a family trust to accelerate the development of promising technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and neurovascular disease through targeted investments. This US-based firm makes 4-5 investments each year of approximately $1-2 million into privately-held companies worldwide at both the seed and Series A stages. The firm operates under an evergreen structure and has made 49 investments to date.

While the firm is focused on cardiovascular, neurovascular and metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes, dyslipidemia and obesity), The firm invests across all technology sectors including biotech, medtech, diagnostics, and regenerative medicine. The firm looks to invest in companies where its investment will help move the company to a value inflection point necessary for the next and larger financing round.

The firm invests in technologies that have the potential for a clear impact on patient therapy and/or standard of care, an adequate level of IP protection, well-defined use of proceeds with quantifiable and achievable milestones, and a clear understanding of the next round of fundraising needs including size and likely sources.

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

Hot Investor Mandate: Asia-Based Investment Firm With $1B+ AUM Invests Around $5M and More Into Early Clinical Stage Projects, With Strong Interests in Therapeutics and Digital Therapeutics

2 Mar

An investment firm headquartered in Asia manages over $1.2B AUM and makes initial investments generally around $5M, but has the capacity to invest much higher amounts depending on the opportunity and fit. While the firm’s focus is on more developed companies, the firm is actively seeking early-stage opportunities with strong global potential, and is open to considering those outside of their headquarters.

Within life sciences, the firm’s main focus is in therapeutics and digital therapeutics, but the firm is also interested in medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health/healthcare IT. The firm looks at all modalities and indications. When considering therapeutics companies, the firm prefers to invest in early clinical stage projects and tend to avoid investing in pre-clinical ones.

The firm has no specific company or management team requirements. The firm can act as either a lead or co-investor, and will seek board representation in companies they fund as a lead investor.

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

The Art of Raising Money for a Life Sciences Company

23 Feb

By Yang (Kenny) Zhou, Vice President of Marketing, LSN

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Some of the biggest challenges executives of early-stage life sciences companies face is securing financing and forging their first licensing deals. Though they may possess deep scientific knowledge, finding the right investors and partners, and telling their story in a compelling way may require skills they have not yet developed. Life Science Nation works with entrepreneurs to tell their stories, identify potential investors and partners, and connect with them. Daniel Levine  of Levine Media Group interviews Dennis Ford, founder and CEO of Life Science Nation, for BigBio Communications about the journey and challenges life sciences entrepreneurs make when they set out to raise money, what investors care about, and what steps they can take to best ensure their success. Listen here:

Life Science Nation & Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) Equals RESI Success

23 Feb
Miriam-Kent
Miriam Kent
Interview with Miriam Kent, General Manager, Business Growth, Trade and Talent, Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA)

By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN

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Caitlin Dolegowski

Life Science Nation (LSN) worked with the Brisbane Economic Development Agency and their MedTech Accelerator cohort in a hybrid Entrepreneurial Education program that culminated at RESI JPM San Francisco. We talked with Miriam Kent, General Manager, Business Growth, Trade and Talent at BEDA to learn more about their take-aways from the education course and RESI conference and hear what is next for the MedTech innovation coming from Brisbane.

Caitlin Dolegowski (CD): Introduce us to Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) and discuss your focus in the life science industry and how the MedTech Accelerator cohort came to be? 

Miriam Kent: General Manager, Business Growth, Trade and Talent at Brisbane Economic Development Agency: As Brisbane’s champion, BEDA works to enhance and promote the city’s reputation globally, drive visitation, and attract investment and talent in key growth industries.

We support domestic and international investors with full market entry and expansion strategies, while supporting local businesses to scale globally and grow through our accelerator programs.

BEDA’s MedTech Initiative is designed to elevate our exceptional local talent, to attract international investment, and fast-track life-saving medical products to the market.

Brisbane has a strong track-record for innovation thanks to our world-class research institutes and universities. We’re supporting the next generation of companies to stand out in a globally competitive market, to foster fresh developments and discoveries.

CD: BEDA brought a MedTech Accelerator cohort to work with Life Science Nation (LSN) in a hybrid (virtual and in person) educational program and wrapping the program at RESI JPM San Francisco, can you tell us about the startups that attended? 

MK: A rapid test for sepsis, a bionic voice box, and an inhaler for anaphylaxis are just some of the life-changing healthcare innovations produced by the Brisbane cohort.  We were extremely proud to see two Brisbane companies take out gold and bronze in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge.

Field Orthopaedics impressed the panel of seasoned investors and industry experts to secure the top prize for their innovative surgical screws and nails for treating complex fractures.

Meanwhile, Max Kelsen, claimed bronze with its machine learning solutions that are transforming the way scientists store, analyse and work with data to fast-track vital research.

Leading Brisbane MedTech companies – Clinials, De Motu Cordis, Laronix, Microbio and Midnight Health were also awarded finalist seats and were successful in attracting global investor and partner interest.

CD: Congrats to the BEDA cohort who did very well in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI JPM San Francisco, taking 1st and 3rd place! What aspects of the LSN educational program were most useful to help get the companies ready for JPM Week and pitching at RESI? 

MK: While these businesses are experts in their fields, knowing how to pitch their idea and who to pitch to on a global stage can be a challenge for some early-stage ventures looking to secure investment. With the support of Life Science Nation, our cohort members have been able to create strategies and connections to advance their global fundraising campaigns in a pivotal international market.

Throughout the program, the cohort has also benefited from mentorship from peak bodies like Life Sciences QLD, industry leaders like Vaxxas and ASX-listed Microba, as well as advice from local investors and venture capital groups.

CD: The educational program also featured executives from leading MedTech firms such as Stryker and Philips; how do you think their contributions shaped the success of the cohort at RESI JPM? 

MK: Insights shared by global leaders like Stryker provide invaluable context and underline the importance of a refined and strategic funding campaign.

Stryker’s recent investment in Brisbane’s Herston Quarter health precinct will help drive medical technology, innovation, and collaboration to improve patient outcomes and solidify our city’s capability and reputation as a global science and research leader.

CD: Did the mix of virtual content over several months and in-person tutoring at the start of the JPM Week work well? 

MK: The mix of virtual and in-person content ensures we can deliver an intensive, comprehensive learning experience, in a convenient way for leaders with busy schedules.

It is exciting to see the discussion and collaborations across continents.

CD: What is next for BEDA’s MedTech Accelerator cohort? 

MK: The feedback we’ve received has been hugely positive and we look forward to working with a new cohort for year two of our MedTech Accelerator in 2023.

The outstanding success of our local start-ups, in a competitive global market, is a testament to the quality of the research and development that’s happening here in Brisbane.

We’d like to thank Life Science Nation for partnering with us to support this vital industry.
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Introducing Digital RESI March Panelists

23 Feb

By Momo Yamamoto, Investor Research Analyst, LSN

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Get ready as Digital RESI March is approaching within weeks! Life Science Nation (LSN) is excited to announce that our upcoming Digital RESI March, a fully virtual conference, will have 6 investor panels, giving you the latest insights on various early-stage life science industries. Panel topics include: Seed Funds, Impact Investors, Early-Stage Therapeutics, Aging at Home, and Health System Partners.

Life Science Nation’s upcoming 3-day RESI Conference will give you the chance to join robust discussions with seasoned investors. The curated panels are here to provide new entrepreneurs with advice and conversation on how to attract investors, reach fundraising goals, and make meaningful partnerships. The LSN team has recruited over 20 panelists from a wide range of sectors from traditional VC, corporate VC to foundations, strategics, angel groups, and big pharma. Note our Ealy Stage Therapeutics and Health System Partners panels as we brought them back to RESI March. As the 3-day conference will be fully virtual, take advantage of tuning in from the comfort of anywhere you are around the world!

Join the discussion with the panelists below for the latest scoop:

Joshua Barney Caleb Bell Gaye Bok
Joshua Barney
Member
Barrington Angels
Caleb Bell
Venture Partner
Corundum Systems Biology
Gaye Bok
Partner
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Fund (AIDIF)
Adam Hunke Brenda Irwin
Steve Curtis
Director, New Ventures
BrightEdge
Adam Hunke
Principal
Banner Venture Group
Brenda Irwin
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
Relentless Venture Fund
Rick Jones Megan Krench Yury Kukushkin
Rick Jones
Partner
BioAdvance
Megan Krench
Director of Investments
Sanofi Ventures
Yury Kukushkin
Managing Director
JDRF T1D Fund
James Mayer Brian Meshkin Ravi Mistry
James Mayer
Senior Manager, Investment & Venture Services
Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI)
Brian Meshkin
Managing Partner
Profound Ventures
Ravi Mistry
Investor, Individual Angel
3iPartners
Joseph Mocanu John Perez Martin Pfister
Joseph Mocanu
Managing Partner
Verge Health Tech Fund
John Perez
Managing Director
Ballad Health
Martin Pfister
Senior Investment Manager: Life Sciences
High-Tech Gründerfonds
Jack Rack Gomer Krish Ramadurai Brock Reeve
Jack Rack Gomer
Principal
MultiCare Capital Partners
Krish Ramadurai
Partner
Harmonix Fund
Brock Reeve
CEO and Co-Founder
Eos BioInnovation
Nadav Shimoni Yaniv Sneor Mayank Taneja
Nadav Shimoni
Head of Digital Health
Arkin Holdings Ltd
Yaniv Sneor
Founding Member
Mid Atlantic Bio Angels
Mayank Taneja
Director of Venture Investments
OSF Healthcare Ventures

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Hot Investor Mandate: Family Owned Company With Global Offices Manages Venture Fund Investing in Promising Projects in Anti-Aging and Neuroscience Related Indications

23 Feb

A global, family-owned company with headquarters in Europe has offices all around the world. The firm’s venture fund focuses on early stage companies, and positions itself to be a strategic corporate partner to develop and support innovative technologies to commercialization in areas for growth opportunity. The firm’s venture fund typically makes $1-$5 million investments. The firm is seeking 4-5 investments in early-stage companies, start-ups including spinout companies from academia. The firm is geographically agnostic, and is open to investments from all over the world.

The firm is seeking outstanding ideas and promising technologies that are capable of generating a high level of customer interest. Besides early stage projects and seed investments, the firm aims to maximize the value of their entire portfolio, including the development of promising later stage investments and opportunities across all aforementioned the firm’s focus areas. The firm’s interest in Aesthetics comprises an anti-aging focus, including skin rejuvenation, body shaping and modification. The firm is open to all therapeutics, medical devices, and digital health / healthcare IT, as long as the technology serves an unmet need/gap in the aesthetics professionals’ daily practice.

The firm’s Neuroscience perspective includes, but is not limited to the treatment of movement disorders and adjacent indications, while the firm’s consumer healthcare business is open applicable b2b and d2c models for improving consumers’ wellbeing and sustainable quality of life.

The firm take pride in their long-standing commitment to both innovation and continuity. In line with their strategic interests, the firm is open to proactive and long-term engagement with their partners, and hope to provide much more than financial backing.

The firm seeks to directly connect investments to the firm’s global infrastructure by offering access to relevant experts in their scientific research network and providing commercial insights into global market.

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

Hot Investor Mandate: USA-Based Fund Actively Seeks Therapeutics, Medtech, and Digital Health, Investing Up to $20M in Series A Financings and Beyond

23 Feb

A firm actively funds, supports and advances life science technologies from early development through clinical proof-of-concept. The firm’s experienced leadership team works with scientists and entrepreneurs to provide active mentorship, financing solutions and operational guidance to increase the probability of success in early drug development. The firm has access to capital to support companies from seed investment through Series A and B financings and the size of initial seed investment can range from $0.5M to $1.5M. The subsequent Series A investments will be sized to get through preclinical and IND-enabling work and/or through a clinical development study and can range between $8M-$20M, with flexibility to syndicate with investors for larger rounds. For more mature companies that don’t require a seed round or the need to do complete activities/studies prior to a Series A, the firm can invest directly as a Series A investment along with participation in related Series B investments. The firm is open to global opportunities.

The firm supports opportunities across all therapeutic areas and drug modalities (small molecule, peptides, antibodies, genetic technologies, cell therapy, etc.).  Additionally, the firm is open to technologies beyond drug therapeutics, including medical devices, diagnostics and emerging healthtech opportunities (digital health, telemedicine, enabling technologies utilizing AI/ML, etc.). Founder and entrepreneur friendly and supportive of first-time CEOs, the firm works side by side to drive value inflections with the goal to optimize program development and successful outcomes.

The firm is open to working with all types of management teams, including first time entrepreneurs. The firm works hands-on with its portfolio companies by bringing a powerful network, access to resources and expertise to support their growth. The firm prefers to lead but is open to participating with likeminded co-investors to form syndicates.

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