Hot Investor Mandate: Corporate Venture Fund Seeks Innovative Therapeutics and Platform Technologies Based in US and Europe

4 Mar

A corporate venture fund of a pharmaceutical seeks to invest in technologies that are complementary to the parent company’s R&D activities. The firm seeks to invest $5-7M as initial investment, and can invest up to $20M over the company’s lifecycle. The firm will focus on investing in companies in US and Europe. 
 
The firm focuses on investing in therapeutics, platform technologies, and digital technologies. In therapeutics, the firm has a strong interest in cell/gene therapy, as well as platform technologies including any platforms that can find or develop drugs across multiple therapeutic areas. Within digital technologies, the firm primarily seeks applications that help with target identification and drug design, accelerating drug discovery and development. The firm does not invest in medical devices or diagnostics. In terms of stage of development, the firm focuses on pre-clinical and early clinical stage opportunities. 
 
The firm does not have specific company or management team requirements. The firm does not lead investments and does not require board representation. 

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

Hot Investor Mandate: French VC Firm With US Office Seeking Early Stage Life Science Investment Opportunities Up to $3M 

25 Feb

A French venture capital firm that has an additional office in the USA is actively seeking investment opportunities within life sciences and healthcare sectors, with a focus on early stage. Initial investments can range from $100K – 3M, and largely varies by deal. The firm typically invests in the form of equity, and may take less equity in exchange for preemptive or pro-rata rights. The firm will consider global opportunities but focuses on USA and Europe-based companies. 

The firm is interested in various opportunities within therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, and digital health. In therapeutics, the firm is excited about platform technologies (especially in oncology), DNA repair, and novel drug delivery mechanisms. Within devices, technologies that integrate or combine new technologies such as robotics, smart devices, IoT, and imaging are areas of interest. In diagnostics, point of care diagnostics technologies that can substantially transform the current standard of care are of interest. Lastly, within digital health, the firm is interested in telehealth, novel digital interventions, and any technology that successfully leverages AI to improve patient outcomes and clinical workflow. The firm is mostly stage and indication agnostic but tend to stray away from cardiovascular and CNS indications. 

The firm has no specific company or management team requirements. The firm seeks to be a very active, hands-on investor and can support their portfolio companies on their operations, scalability, regulatory strategy, and more. The firm has a growing advisory board that companies can seek to leverage. 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 salescore@lifesciencenation.com

Hot Investor Mandate: Saudi Arabian Investment Firm Invests $5-10M in Cell and Gene Therapy Companies, Offering Expertise in Regional and International Markets 

25 Feb

A premier Saudi investment firm boasts a diverse portfolio that spans multiple asset classes, including real assets and alternative investments. Over the past decade, the investment firm has evolved into one of the region’s most compelling success stories, driven by a steadfast commitment to delivering value, fostering partnerships, and catalyzing sustainable development. Their vision is to become a leading integrated solutions provider in cell and gene therapy in Saudi Arabia, establishing themselves as the first globally trusted partner in precision medicine within the Middle East. The firm focus on providing research, manufacturing, and a comprehensive range of services related to genomic medicine, targeting local, regional, and international markets. Check sizes vary and are flexible but on average range between USD $5-10M. The firm aims to act as a catalyst for developing this vital industry and emphasize the importance of the private sector in supporting emerging, innovative sectors. Their aspiration is to accelerate the delivery of groundbreaking innovations and ensure patient access to treatments for chronic and rare diseases in the region. The firm is committed to contributing to the localization of the biotechnology industry as part of the global system and building national expertise to achieve these ambitious goals. 

Within therapeutics, the firm is focused on cell and gene therapy in IND, Phase 1 and/or moving into Phase 2. There are several indications of interest, including orphan diseases, oncology, neurology, immunology, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. For Tech-Driven Biosciences, the firm is interested in AI-driven platforms for drug discovery and clinical development. 

The firm is only interested in companies willing to work with Saudi Arabia toward the goal of bringing biotech innovation to the region through manufacturing and clinical development. A carve out or partnership in the region is necessary. 

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

Hot Investor Mandate: MedTech and Digital Health Focused VC Firm Seeks to Make New Investments In the US Over the Next 9-12 Months

25 Feb

A venture capital firm that manages just under $100 million in assets across 4 funds makes equity investments into companies ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars to $3 million with additional capital reserved for follow on rounds. The firm is looking for companies located throughout the United States and plans to make 2-3 new investments over the next 9-12 months. The firm will invest in both seed and later stage companies. 

The firm is looking for companies developing Medical Devices and Diagnostics, Healthcare IT products and Life Science Research Tools with an emphasis on fast to market low capital intense products that reduce the cost of delivering quality healthcare. The firm is open to all sub-sectors and indications in the medical technology space except for those targeting diseases and disorders of the spine. 

The firm is looking for companies with skilled and experienced management teams. The firm generally looks to take a board seat into companies after investment and play an active role in the management. The firm is willing to invest in both public and privately held companies. 

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

Hot Investor Mandate: VC Firm Invests in USA-Based Medical Device Companies Addressing Cardiovascular and Orthopedic Indications 

25 Feb

A VC firm is investing from its fifth fund that was closed in 2023. The firm focuses exclusively on early stage and seed investments in medical device companies. The firm provides seed, first, or second round of financing, typically in equity. The initial investment in a company ranges from $250K to $3M, with follow-on financing rounds. Accordingly, the firm invests between $2-6M over the life of an investment. The firm typically invests in companies that are based in the US, but may consider exceptional opportunities abroad. The firm is actively seeking new investment opportunities. 

The firm is specifically looking for medical devices that address cardiovascular, orthopedic indications. The firm has no clinical requirements and will invest in design stage. The product must be based on strongly protected IP. 

The firm prefers to invest in companies that are not looking to develop their own sales team, but rather developing a technology that can be sold at a healthy premium to a company which already has the requisite sales and marketing teams in place. The firm generally takes a board seat, but is not a requirement. In addition, the firm prefers to assume a role on the company’s scientific advisory board. The firm is looking for companies with a strong and experienced management team. 

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

FDA’s Med Device Staff Firings: Industry Implications 

25 Feb

By Sougato Das, President and COO, Life Science Nation (LSN)

Sougato-DasThe FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (aka CDRH aka the folks who approve med devices) had firings a little more than a week ago, continuing from the layoffs at the NIH and CDC. Early signs indicate a reduction of 10% – 15%. Those who lost their jobs included those funded by medical device user fees and not tax-payer dollars. Since the cuts affected probationary employees the most, recent hires to evaluate newer technologies like AI-assisted imaging and digital health are gone, making it hard to imagine approvals for these modalities would not grind to a halt. AdvaMed’s head, Scott Whitaker, conveyed that AdvaMed had sent a letter to HHS in response, emphasizing the importance of AI and related technologies, the patient-facing effects throwing a wrench in the approval machine would have, and the lack of tax-payer savings. This may have been effective, as in breaking news today, the Associated Press reported that some of the fired individuals received calls and messages reversing their dismissals, stating terminations were “rescinded effective immediately.”

Besides staff cuts, there are other changes in FDA CDRH guidances, such as removal of requirements to have demographically diverse clinical trials. If the Trump administration continues to lower the regulatory hurdles required for approval, approval times could accelerate despite reduced staff, assuming further layoffs do not materialize and funds from user fees are made available again. Of course, this could result in products with less safety testing, which could lead to recalls and trust erosion.

The million-dollar (well, actually billion dollar) question is: how will these changes affect seed and series A-B funding for med tech, health tech and AI? Usually, regulatory uncertainty has a dampening effect on the investment climate. Companies may need to hedge their bets by doubling down on fundraising and partnering activity. How many meetings have you had in the last 3 months? How many leads do you have? How many meetings do you need to close your next fundraise? LSN can help you dramatically accelerate your business development. With the largest and most detailed life science investor/in-licensor database and the largest investment conferences (by number of attending investors) in the world, LSN is poised to help get you funded before any potential downturn. Reach us at: resi@lifesciencenation.com

Exploring the Future of Biotech Investment: The Therapeutics Panel at RESI Europe 

25 Feb

By Claire Jeong, Chief Conference Officer, Vice President of Investor Research, Asia BD, LSN

With biotech venture capital investment surging by over 33% in 2024 and in-licensing activity remaining strong, optimism is growing in the life science ecosystem. The Therapeutics panel at RESI Europe in Barcelona, taking place at the InterContinental Hotel on April 1, will bring together key investors to explore the evolving landscape of biotech investment and partnerships.

This panel will examine emerging trends and therapeutic breakthroughs, providing insight into the indications and modalities attracting investor interest. Discussions will also highlight the role of venture capital and in-licensing partners in driving innovation, as well as key considerations for biotech companies navigating R&D and scaling operations. Given the high-risk nature of early-stage biotech investment, panelists will share perspectives on how to de-risk opportunities through due diligence and strategic partnerships.

Moderated by Jim McGough of Mid Atlantic Bio Angels, this discussion will feature an esteemed lineup of investor panelists, including Laura Rodriguez of Invivo Partners, Carla Benichou of RV Invest GmbH, and Artemy Shumsky of LongeVC. Their collective expertise will offer a comprehensive look at how investment and collaboration are shaping the future of biotech innovation.

Jim-McGough
Jim McGough

Managing Partner
Mid Atlantic Bio Angels
(Moderator)
Carla-Benichou
Carla Benichou

Senior Investment Analyst
RV Invest GmbH
Laura-Rodriguez
Laura Rodriguez

Partner
Invivo Partners
Artemy-Shumskiy
Artemy Shumskiy

Senior Associate
LongeVC

Investment and strategic partnering remain essential in advancing therapeutics that address high unmet medical needs. Whether you are a biotech entrepreneur seeking funding or an investor looking to stay ahead of industry trends, this panel promises valuable insights into the dynamic world of biotech investment.

Join us at RESI Europe to gain firsthand knowledge from top investors and forge meaningful connections that could help propel the next wave of groundbreaking therapies to market.