Next Phase Newsletter

An innovative private equity firm and investment fund utilizes the virtual pharma (‘asset-centric’) model and invests in early stage pharmaceutical assets (i.e., small molecules and biologics, including cell and gene therapies), and provides up to $25 million, or more, to fund each project, typically through Phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept, before exiting through sales of successful assets to major pharmaceutical companies. The firm prefers to invest in individual assets through innovative deal structures, and is less likely to make traditional equity investments in companies. The company founders continue to lead development of their asset. Ideal investment candidates have yet to receive significant VC funding, and the firm prefers to invest without typical syndicates. The firm integrates each company’s founders and their asset into a dedicated special purpose vehicle and collaborates closely with them — providing broad and deep drug development expertise and resources to maximize product value. The firm invests in projects around the globe and aims to maintain an ongoing investment portfolio of 15-25 high quality assets.

The firm seeks biopharmaceutical drug assets — small molecules, biologics, and cell or gene therapies. The firm is willing to invest in drug candidates that are up to 12-18 months pre-IND, as well as those that are in, or have completed, Phase I clinical trial(s). Ideal candidates are ‘IND-ready’, patent-protected in all major pharma markets, and represent both potential solutions to major unmet medical needs and significant market potential. The firm is open to all therapeutic areas and indications for which proof-of-concept can be evaluated in early clinical trials, including single asset companies managed by small experienced teams.

The firm is looking to partner with founders and associates with a deep understanding of the science and pharmacology underlying their product, and who are willing to operate in a highly collaborative, virtual and global environment. Such willingness to collaborate is essential because the firm acts as a hands-on investor and partner — contributing its extensive drug development expertise, operational resources and industry connections to each company’s asset to ensure all assets are developed in the most efficient and effective manner, with a particular focus on early development de-risking.

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

A venture firm with offices in US and Israel invests in multiple sectors, including the life sciences. The firm invests in pre-seed and seed stage companies; within healthcare, therapeutics, diagnostics and R&D tools companies developing platform technologies. The firm invests early, often acting as the first institutional capital, investing just after the initial stages of product development. The firm generally leads rounds, investing between $.5-5M in rounds no larger than ~$7M. While the firm has to this point invested in US and Israeli companies, it will also consider European and Canadian companies as well.

Within healthcare, the firm is interested in platform technologies in therapeutics and diagnostics/R&D tools. The firm is agnostic to indication and modality, and is looking for companies that have multiple avenues of development to reach the market. Previous investments include companies building CRISPR technologies, post-treatment monitoring, -omics-based drug development, CAR-T and high-throughput screening. The firm does not invest in digital health or medical devices.

The firm acts as a lead investor. Even though they invest early, the firm prefers that the company have at least two full time co-founders before investing. The firm does take a board seat after investing, and is an active investor.

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

A US fund invests in early-stage startups in many industries with a preference for biotech and IT technology. Typical equity investment size ranges from US$0.5-2 million in Seed to Series B stage companies. The firm is open to either leading or following in a syndicated round. The firm expects to make 5+ deals in the next 12 months and can invest globally with a focus on the US.

The firm considers broadly across healthcare industries including innovative drugs, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health products. The firm has an increased interest in disease-modification therapies, diagnostics and medical devices. The firm prefers companies that develop disruptive technologies to solve unmet medical needs.

The firm is looking for experienced management teams. The firm can leverage its innovation center in China to assist with commercialization in the China market. The firm can act as either a lead or co-investor.

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

A family office/venture capital firm based in USA manages an evergreen fund that operates free from the constraints of traditional venture capital funds. The firm seeks to make seed, venture, and growth equity investments in early to mid-stage medical device companies, but will also consider secured debt to help revenue generating companies with short term cash flow issues. The firm will also consider pre-seed investments. The firm can allocate anywhere from $1M to $10M per company, but generally allocates around $8M. The firm typically does 3 rounds of financing with an initial investment of around $3M. The firm is geographically agnostic, but highly prefers to invest in companies that are based in the US. The firm seeks to make about 3-4 allocations in the next 6-9 months.

The firm is currently looking for medical device companies with a strong emphasis on products with a 510(k) regulatory pathway. In terms of subsectors, the firm is looking for products specifically in the areas of interventional radiology and cardiology, spine/orthopedics and minimally invasive surgery. The firm is generally opportunistic in terms of indication.

The firm is looking to invest in companies with a management team with a track record of success in the healthcare industry. However, the firm is generally flexible and does not require a full management team. The firm can assemble the management team over the course of the investment.

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