This week in the summer reading series, we explore the current categories of early stage life science investors. As a result of the significant changes the investor landscape has undergone in the past few years, many traditional players have moved downstream to later stage investments or out of the space entirely, and new faces have stepped in to fill the void. Understanding what motivates these different groups and how they operate is crucial when looking for a successful financial partnership.
Chapter 4 of The Life Science Executive’s Fundraising Manifesto “Categories of Life Science Investors” explains how and why the funding landscape has changed, the types of investors who are currently funding companies, and, in general, the approach these entities take toward investing.
A specialist investor that is funded by private capital was founded in 2011 and has operations in Luxembourg, Belgium and USA. The firm exclusively focuses on investments in early-stage drug development companies targeting cancer therapies. The firm is most interested in companies from late seed stage to series A. The investment size will vary, and it can range from a few hundred thousand dollars up to a couple of million dollars. The firm may make 3-4 investments in the next year, depending on the opportunity. The firm has no geographic restriction and is actively seeking new investment opportunities across the globe.
In the life sciences, the firm is currently looking for new investments targeting the development of oncology therapies. The firm will not invest in medical device or diagnostics. The firm typically invests in companies with solid preclinical proof of concept (late preclinical stage/ pre-IND), and it will fund the companies at least up to human proof of concept (clinical phase Ib/ phase IIa). The firm prefers to invest in companies with small pipeline and a clear regulatory pathway. Historically, the firm was active in companies targeting immune therapy and tumor cell metabolism within the oncology field.
The firm primarily invests in private companies with experienced management team and breakthrough potential. The firm looks to be a lead investor and may take a board seat.
If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com
A venture capital fund financed entirely by a Russian pharmaceutical company is looking to make investments ranging from $5-$15 million in companies in the life science space. The firm could make as many as 2-3 investment over the next 6-9 months and is willing to allocate to companies located around the globe. Besides equity investment, the firm would consider local licensing opportunities for Russian/CIS market.
The fund is currently looking for companies developing therapeutics and is open to both small molecules, biologics, and cell/gene therapy. The firm is more interested in companies working with single assets although they are also willing to consider platform technologies. Indications of interest include Oncology, Inflammation, Neurodegenerative diseases, Orphan genetic diseases, Critical care, Regenerative medicine and Cardiovascular. The firm looks for companies that have at least reached in-vivo proof of concept with their lead asset.
The fund is looking for privately held companies and prefers companies with experienced management teams in place. The firm looks to act as a value-added investor through their strategic alignment with its parent company, and looks to take a seat on the company’s board on a case by case basis. The firm is willing to both lead and co-invest in financing rounds.
If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com
A South Korean pharmaceutical company that specializes in Gastrointestinal, CNS, and Metabolic products is actively searching for promising therapeutic candidates under development around the world to incorporate into its pipeline. The company is flexible in terms of the structure, but mostly in-licensing or co-development. The company is interested in world wide/major territories such as the US, EU, APAC, and East Asia.
The firm is currently seeking promising therapeutic candidates to incorporate into its pipeline. The company is most interested in neurology, hepatology, and gastroenterology. However, the firm is also interested in other therapeutic areas that address large unmet medical needs. The company will look at both small molecules and biologics and will consider only NCE or NCE-like molecules (such as repositioning molecule, new indication, etc). The company prefers assets in phase I, II, or IND-ready. However, the company will also look at assets in phase III and NDA stage.
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 based in the southwestern United States manages 2 funds for a combined total of $270 million in assets under management. The firm generally invest between $2-$6 million of equity capital per round and up to $10-$15 million over the life of the investment. The firm plans to invest in 2-5 companies over the next 6-9 months and will consider firms located throughout the United States.
The firm is currently looking for companies developing Medical Devices, Therapeutics, Diagnostics and Healthcare IT products. For medical devices and therapeutics the firm is open to the full spectrum of subsector and indication and will consider companies developing orphan indications. The firm is interested in seed and venture stage companies, generally looking to invest in companies with a lead asset in pre-clinical trials. Only in certain cases of reformulation and repurposing would the firm consider investment into a company with a product in clinical trials. The firm is also willing to consider companies targeting orphan indications. In the Healthcare IT space the firm has stated interest in areas of clinical sequencing and diagnostic platforms but will also consider other companies that fall into the Healthcare IT space as well with the exception of tradition EMR companies. The firm is also considering investment into mobile health companies developing consumer facing apps.
As such an early stage investor, the firm investment almost exclusively in pre-revenue companies. The firm also looks for experienced management teams and generally takes a seat on the company’s board.
If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com
By Nono Hu, Senior Manager, Branding & Messaging, LSN
This Monday, RESI came to TMCx, the Texas Medical Center’s 100,000-square-foot accelerator space. RESI @ TMCx featured approximately 150 investors, 250 biotech, medtech and healthcare IT entrepreneurs, and 60 service providers.
In the exhibit hall, 34 of the most innovative early stage life science companies at the event were chosen to participate in a virtual investment contest – The RESI Innovation Challenge, showcasing cutting-edge life science technologies in poster displays and competing to raise the most RESI Cash. Without further ado here are the top 3 contestants!
First Prize Winner: Redox
Redox is the modern API for healthcare integration. Redox helps developers integrate with EHRs and health systems manage their connections to the cloud. The Redox Engine de-risks software implementations by enabling turnkey EHR integration with any application you choose to work with.
As a first prize winner, Redox will receive complimentary subscription to the LSN Investor Platform.
Alejandro Zamorano, Director of Business Development, LSN | Niko Skievaski, Co-founder, Redox | James Lloyd, Co-founder & CTO, Redox | Michael Quigley, Director of Research, LSN
Second Prize Winner: NeuroFx
NeuroFx has developed an innovative, cell-free therapeutic factor concentrate derived from adult adipose (fat) stem cells that has demonstrated great potential based on animal testing to not only reduce brain injury caused by stroke, but in addition promote regeneration and repair of brain tissues. The founders of NeuroFx, together with its management team, have extensive experience in stem cell research and development and/or the necessary backgrounds in product commercialization to bring this therapeutic asset to market. NeuroFx will pursue development of additional indications for its products by partnering with pharmaceutical, regenerative medicine or medical device companies. The funding NeuroFx is seeking is to support its IND application and complete a Phase 1 trial.
As a second prize winner, NeuroFx will receive two complimentary RESI tickets.
Alejandro Zamorano, Director of Business Development, LSN | Wade Lange, CEO, NeuroFx | Karen Momper, Director, Business Development, NeuroFx | Michael Quigley, Director of Research, LSN
Third Prize Winner: TeVido BioDevices
TeVido BioDevices uses innovative 3D bio-printing of a woman’s own living cells – to develop custom grafts for breast cancer reconstruction. The first product is targeted to improve nipple reconstruction, where current procedures often flatten and fade over time. TeVido has a platform technology that addresses a significant unmet need in the broad field of reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, a market estimated to be $6B globally.
As a third prize winner, TeVido will receive one complimentary RESI ticket.
Alejandro Zamorano, Director of Business Development, LSN | Laura Bosworth, CEO & co-founder, TeVido BioDevices | Scott Collins, CTO & VP of Research and Development, TeVido BioDevices | Michael Quigley, Director of Research, LSN
With the third installment of the summer reading series we take a look at the important decision of whether or not one should use a fundraising partner to help them in securing capital. Chapter 3 of TheLife Science Executive’s Fundraising Manifesto “Going It Alone or Choosing a Fundraising Partner,” tackles this question head-on, describing what companies would be a suitable fit for fundraising partners, providing a breakdown of the different types in the marketplace today, and advising readers on how to go about vetting a potential partner.
This week in the summer reading series, we explore the current categories of early stage life science investors. As a result of the significant changes the investor landscape has undergone in the past few years, many traditional players have moved downstream to later stage investments or out of the space entirely, and new faces have stepped in to fill the void. Understanding what motivates these different groups and how they operate is crucial when looking for a successful financial partnership.
