Next Phase Newsletter

A global venture capital fund headquartered in Asia has a strong focus in the microbiome and adjacent fields. Atypical for a VC, the firm has multiple mechanisms to support early-stage innovators and entrepreneurs. In addition to equity investments, they have a sponsored research function that provides grants for academics or startups conducting fundamental research, which may lead to future pipelines or new companies. They are also involved in developing a deep phenotyping platform that follows changes in the microbiome of healthy participants for an extended period of time.

For capital investments, the firm is stage and country agnostic but tends to prefer earlier stages (Seed and Series A). Their interest within the microbiome field is diverse and not limited to therapeutics.  As scientists, entrepreneurs, and operators themselves, the firm fundamentally values the underlying science, team, as well as potential synergy with their mission and existing portfolio companies. Moreover, for startups looking to enter Japanese or Asian markets, the firm provides additional value through their extensive networks and track record of launching businesses in these geographies.

The firm is looking to partner with groups addressing complex challenges with the potential to impact society globally, with a preference for first-in-class or best-in-class innovations. While not exclusive, their current areas of high interest are: 1) skin microbiome/gut-skin axis, 2) women’s and infant microbiome, 3) gut-brain axis, 4) phage therapy, gene editing, and virome.  That said, the firm is open to any promising opportunities, even if they are not directly focused on the microbiome, provided they include amazing teams with a global vision to positively impact society.

The firm is looking for companies and technologies that can move its mission forward and have multiple options for funding, including equity investing and non-dilutive funding. They usually prefer syndicate investments with a smaller cheque size as an initial investment but may lead with substantial follow-on investments once the relationship is established.

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

A new venture fund is an impact investor focused on pediatric indications. Within this area, the firm is willing to invest in companies in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices or digital health that help improve pediatric care. As an impact fund, the firm donates 10% of the General Partner’s Carry Interest to fund pediatric research. The firm generally makes initial investments of $3-5M and will invest globally. The firm looks to invest in 12-15 companies out of their first fund.

Within pediatric indications, the firm is interested in Oncology, Infectious Diseases and select Rare/Orphan indications. The firm will consider any technology that helps move care forward in these areas, either directly, as a therapeutic or other treatment device or diagnostic, or indirectly, as a digital health technology that helps support care or complements treatment. For therapeutics, the firm will invest in companies that are 12-18 months from IND. For diagnostics and medical devices, the firm would like to see a proof of concept or prototype. For digital health, some post pilot sales or evidence of market traction is preferred, as is a partnership with a strategic partner, with validation of the technology.

The firm can lead or co-invest, and looks to be a board observer for every portfolio company.

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 headquartered in USA currently manages 3 funds, and also has an advisory business that is solely dedicated for companies trying to enter the Asian market. The firm has a focus on early-stage investments (pre-Series A to Series B) and has portfolio companies spread over the USA. The firm’s initial investment size varies, but typically falls under the $250K – 2.5M range and is dedicated to follow-on financings of existing portfolio companies. The firm invests only in USA and Canada.

Within life sciences/healthcare, the firm is most interested in medical devices and smart manufacturing in life sciences, and is much more selective when it comes to biotech or therapeutics investments. Most importantly, the firm is focused on assessing the company’s patent status and the degree of novelty. While the firm is agnostic to stage of development, ideally the companies should have a working prototype and significant key data that validates the high potential of their technology. In terms of different types of technologies or diseases areas/indications, the firm is opportunistic.

The firm has no specific management team requirements, but considers patent strategy key in reviewing potential investments. Companies should have key patents issued or a clear strategy on improving their IP portfolio. The firm has great expertise in helping USA/Canada-based companies enter Asian markets (i.e. greater China) and extend their IP coverage. The firm can act as either lead or co-investor and will seek a board seat if they come in 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.

A venture capital firm with offices in Canada is looking to participate in the Seed to Series B financings of early-stage companies with typical investments between USD 0.5 million and USD 5 million. The firm is currently operating out of its second fund in which it has made three investments after making thirteen investments out of its inaugural fund. The firm participates in equity investments including SAFEs and convertible notes. The firm invests primarily in companies based in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Israel.

The firm is primarily interested in investing in companies in the digital health sector but will also consider the medical and diagnostic devices sectors that have a digital component to them. The firm is open to all modalities within the digital health but requires that the technologies be patient facing or have a patient component. The firm will not consider investments in biotech or pharma but will consider digital therapeutics. The firm is phase agnostic and will invest in development as well as on the market technologies. The firm will only invest in Class I and Class II (510k) medical devices, avoiding Class III (PMA). The firm is disease agnostic and will consider companies across all indications but prefers that there is ample market size for the technology to be revenue generating.

The firm prefers to work with experienced management teams. The firm looks to invest in companies in which the founder has a significant stake in the business. The firm is an active and strategic investor and will take a board seat as determined by check size on a case-by-case basis. The firm will participate both as a lead and co-investor.

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