Hot Investor Mandate 3: Midwest VC Seeks Data-Driven Medical Devices, Diagnostics, and Drug Adherence Tech

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A venture capital firm based in St. Louis, Missouri, prefers to make growth-stage, equity investments in a variety of sectors, including the life sciences, typically in the $2M-$10M range. The firm prefers to lead rounds, but will also syndicate deals. The firm’s first fund closed late in 2015, and is targeting between 3 and 5 investments per year, focusing on the Midwestern United States. However, this includes all states except for those in the North East and those on the West Coast.

Within the Life Science space, the firm is primarily interested in data-driven, connected medical devices and diagnostics as well as any technology that improves drug adherence (mobile apps, devices, etc.). The firm has deep domain experience in IT and is therefore very interested in healthcare IT, such as enterprise software solutions. In addition, life science tools are also an area of interest. The firm is open to all sectors within the life sciences, with the exception of therapeutics, and requires that the product is already FDA approved or is exempt from regulatory approval.

The firm prefers to work with experienced management teams and serial entrepreneurs, however the firm is open to working with first-time entrepreneurs. The firm prefers to lead rounds and requires a board seat along with an investment.

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

Hot Investor Mandate 4: Midwest Angel Group Seeks Medtech & Healthcare IT Deals Across the USA

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An angel network founded in 2006 and based in Illinois looks to make seed and venture investments generally ranging from $200K to $2M. The group prefers to invest in companies with pre-money valuations of less than $5 million. While the firm prefers to invest in the Midwestern US they are also open to investing as a member of a syndicate in other regions of the United States.

In the life science space, the group is currently interested in companies working with medical technology, healthcare IT and healthcare services/analytics. In terms of healthcare IT, companies with a B2B or B2C (including wearables) focus are both of interest. The group does not invest in drug development/biopharma companies. The group is looking for companies with Class I and II devices that have a defined 510k regulatory pathway with a clear route to commercialization. The group is open to all indication types within this area, prefers company with the potential to reach commercialization in 6-12 months.

The group is looking for privately held companies with experienced management teams, and looks to take a board seat following investment.

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

MaRS Collaborates with Life Science Nation and Johnson & Johnson Innovation to Host RESI in Toronto

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TORONTO – April 12, 2016 – MaRS Discovery District (MaRS) is collaborating with Life Science Nation (LSN) and Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS (JLABS) to bring the Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) Conference to Toronto on June 23, 2016.

The RESI Conference series brings together fundraising CEOs and early stage investors from around the globe, providing the opportunity for dialogue and relationship building, with the goal of eventual capital allocations.

“MaRS supports over 250 Canadian-grown early stage health technology startups,” said Dianne Carmichael, managing director, health innovation & venture services at MaRS. “Our goal is to provide these young emerging ventures with the best connections to investors and industry to help them scale internationally. The Redefining Early Stage Investment (RESI) conference series has a strong track record of attracting global early stage investors. We’re delighted to bring them to MaRS this summer to build on the success of our HealthKick conferences.”

RESI on MaRS will connect cutting-edge health technologies with a broad audience of investors and industry leaders, including: angel syndicates, private wealth firms, corporate venture capitalists, venture philanthropy groups, foundations and endowments, big pharma and virtual pharma companies, mid-level private equity firms, government organizations, and venture capital investors. The conference will also include 16 panel sessions with pharmaceutical, medical device, biotech, consumer health and healthcare IT investors.

The annual MaRS HealthKick Innovation Challenge will happen this year as part of RESI on MaRS. The Dragons’ Den-like Challenge sets 30 selected companies up to demonstrate their technology and business while competing for prizes in a full-day exhibition to investors and potential partners.

“The MaRS Centre in Toronto represents the 4th venue for our North American RESI Conference series. Now fundraising CEOs and scientist entrepreneurs can meet investors every 90 days — Boston took place in September (RESI Boston), San Francisco in January (RESI @ JPM), Houston is in April (RESI @ TMCx) and now Toronto in June (RESI on MaRS),” said Dennis Ford, CEO at LSN and creator of the RESI Conference Series.

Speakers and participating health ventures will be announced in April.

About MaRS Discovery District

MaRS Discovery District in Toronto is one of the world’s largest urban innovation hubs, supporting a new generation of makers and innovators who aim to make the world a better place by creating solutions that address key societal challenges. It is a community that encourages entrepreneurial thinking through education programs and events, and helps startups launch, grow and scale. MaRS supports over 1,000 ventures.

About Life Science Nation

Life Science Nation (LSN) accelerates the funding of early stage life science firms through its Match.com-like sourcing platform for private investment and enables CEOs to be more efficient in their capital-raising efforts. LSN owns and operates the Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) conference series.

For more information, please contact the RESI Team at resi@lifesciencenation.com or 617-600-0668

RESI@TMCx – Program Guide

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By Nono Hu, Director of Marketing, LSN

With 4 days to go, RESI@TMCx is getting ready to roll. We’re looking forward to being back in Houston and filling Texas Medical Center’s TMCx accelerator space with meetings, panels and new health technology ideas. With over 150 investors ready to meet with early stage companies, RESI attendees have already booked over 500 meetings. If you’re ready to plan out your day at RESI, check out the RESI@TMCx Program Guide below.

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RESI Panel Announcement: Large Pharma Firms Looking Externally For New Assets

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By Christine A. Wu, Research Analyst, LSN

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Large pharma companies are increasingly looking to early stage companies to fill their future pipelines. These firms have a variety of means of engaging with early stage companies, including in-licensing, collaborations, equity investments, and M&A. At RESI@TMCx, four senior external sourcing staff from the pharma world will explain what their firms are looking for, how they work with early stage companies, and how an emerging biotech company can position themselves to make a big pharma deal.

Moderated by Bill Kohlbrenner, CSO, Life Science Nation, the panelists are:

  • Marc Schwabish, US Head, Pharma Business Development & Licensing, Bayer
  • Barbara Araneo, Innovation Sourcing Director, Novo Nordisk
  • Joseph Simeone, Director, Business Development & Licensing, Merck
  • Mark Day, Executive Director, Head of External Research & Scouting, Alexion

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RESI Panel Announcement: Explore Houston’s Innovation Drive in The Future Is Now

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By Lucy Parkinson, Director of Research, LSN

Houston is on a roll in life science technology. In 2015, the TMCx Accelerator ran its debut class of new healthcare companies; 2016 has already seen the arrival of JLABS@TMC, and AT&T Foundry will open in Houston soon. These facilities will collectively support dozens of new healthcare inventions, fostering a diverse ecosystem of early stage life science companies in Houston. This RESI panel, The Future Is Now, will cover these new developments and explain why Houston’s moment for has come.

Moderated by Nicole Fisher, Founder & CEO, HHR Strategies, the panel will feature:

This unique session will explore how Houston has become a health innovation hub that attracts major strategic firms to open facilities for entrepreneurs. The participants will also describe the innovation that’s happening at their new facilities in Houston, how they’re supporting new technologies that are coming out of Texas Medical Center’s instutitions, and what kinds of innovators they’re looking to work with.

If you’d like to be there in person, it’s not too late to sign up to join RESI@TMCx.

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Hot Investor Mandate 1: China Fund Looks Worldwide for Preclinical Therapeutics and Devices for Large Markets

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An investment holding company based in China specializes in equity investment, debt financing, and equity investment services. With capital commitment from both public and private investors, the firm currently has total assets under management of over US$4.5 billion. The firm is current investing from its newest US$100 million and RMB 1 billion funds that are set to close in 2016. Typical equity allocations range from US$2-6 million in an early stage company, while the firm can participate from pre-series A to pre-IPO financing rounds. The firm is currently seeking opportunities from China, US, and EU.

The firm invests across various sectors in life sciences. In pharmaceuticals, the firm is looking for innovative assets in the pre-clinical phase and is open to both small molecules and biologics. The firm focuses on diseases with large market potential such as oncology and cardiovascular conditions. In MedTech, the firm is looking for concept stage or post-prototype products that have large market potential and high entry battier.

The firm is looking for experienced management teams. The firm typically syndicates with other investors and takes 10%-20% minority stake in a financing round. Board representation is often required. The firm prefers China-based companies, Chinese-owned foreign businesses, or products with a China-angel; however, this is not a requirement. The firm can provide its expertise to help with registration, distribution, M&A, and formation of joint venture and strategic partnership in the country.

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