Hot Investor Mandate: USA-Based VC Firm Invests Up to $10M in Companies Developing Medical Devices, Diagnostics, and Research Tools 

10 Dec

An early-stage investment and development firm located in the US operates under an evergreen structure. The firm is flexible in investment size and structure, but prefer initial investments in the $1-10M range and the firm reserves additional funds for the subsequent funding of successful companies. 

 
The firm invests in medical devices and research tools. For medical devices, the firm prefers those that can be approved under PMA guidelines. For research tools, the firm invests in technologies that enhance and enable the discovery and manufacture of therapeutics and diagnostics and have multi-million dollar yearly sales. 
 
The firm seeks to invest in small, early-stage companies with a lean but strong and qualified management/execution team. The firm prefers to invest in companies in the U.S., but will consider certain opportunities in Europe. 
 

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 Seed to Series A Companies in Medtech, Healthtech, and Techbio Sectors, With USA Focus

10 Dec

A venture capital firm headquartered in the US is currently investing from their 1st fund. The firm invests in Seed and Series A. The firm makes initial equity investments between $250K-$3M. The firm prefers to lead and requires a board seat; however, they can co-invest as well. The firm invests in the USA and will consider investments outside of the USA if a regulatory process has been completed. 
 
The firm invests in healthtech, medtech, and techbio. The firm has a particular consideration for IVD. For digital health (considered healthtech), the firm prefers software-based solutions, and has an overall investment focus on software-based solutions. For tech bio, the firm is interested in tech such as gene editing and cell therapies. For diagnostics and medical devices, the firm will only invest in class 1 and 510K and is not open to PMA. The firm requires companies to be revenue generating, indicating scale and likes to see annual repeat customers. 
 
The firm prefers to lead and requires a board seat. The firm is founder friendly and has no strict management team requirements. 

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

Innovator’s Pitch Challenge Winning Companies at RESI London

10 Dec

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

Life Science Nation proudly announces the top three winners of RESI London 2024’s Innovator’s Pitch Challenge! Twenty innovative companies pitched at RESI London, providing a unique platform for early-stage life science and healthcare companies to present their technologies and connect with potential investors.

1st Place: Vzarii Therapeutics

Vzarii Therapeutics is a preclinical stage Biotech company, developing gene therapy technologies directly targeting mitochondrial dysfunction for prevalent neurodegenerative diseases with large unmet clinical need. Our Science is based on the knowledge that mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the pathophysiology of many neurodegenerative diseases. Our focus is on our lead program, VZ-103, designed to prevent disease progression and preserve vision in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD). We have generated robust pre-clinical POC evidence across multiple in vitro and in vivo models highlighting the value of this first in class therapeutic approach for dry AMD. Our Technologies have applications for multiple neurodegenerative diseases including dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD), glaucoma, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Motor Neuron Disease. We are currently raising seed funding to progress the development of our lead program.

2nd Place: Rinri Therapeutics

Realising the potential of cell therapy to treat hearing loss Motivated by the desire to treat the >500m people globally whose lives are affected by hearing loss, Rinri Therapeutics is advancing the world’s first regenerative cell therapies for the condition. By replacing the inner ear’s dead or damaged sensory cells that cause sensorineural hearing loss, the company is developing a portfolio of life-changing new approaches. This could lead to the reversal of the condition for which no pharmaceutical therapies are available, only palliative medical devices. Encouraging data indicate that Rinri Therapeutics’ technology platform has the potential to transform hearing loss. Rincell-1, the company’s first product, is expected to enter clinical trials soon. We’re proud to work closely with patients, their families, and leading doctors to ensure we develop the safest and most effective treatments for severe hearing loss.

3rd Place: UPYTher

UPyTher is a biotechnology company developing innovative medicines using proprietary formulation technology. It focuses on treating diseases in hard-to-reach areas with unmet medical needs, particularly peritoneal cancers. These cancers are currently untreatable due to the lack of effective drug delivery. UPyTher’s approach involves administering new-generation medicinal products directly into the peritoneal cavity, offering local, prolonged tumor exposure with reduced toxicity. Its initial products are based on known chemotherapeutics that are currently used off-label in intraperitoneal therapy in an ineffective way, along with novel immune-modulatory compounds. The company has secured €2.8 million to demonstrate preclinical proof of concept for its lead products targeting colorectal and ovarian peritoneal cancers. UPyTher is seeking €12.5 million in Series A funding by Q3 2025 to complete CTA/IND-enabling studies and initiate patient trials by 2026. All products are backed by robust patent protection and additional regulatory market exclusivity upon approval from EMA and FDA.

The IPC finalists delivered 6-minute pitches and a 7-minute interactive Q&A session with a panel of investor judges. In addition, each participating company showcased its technology at its personalized table space in the RESI Exhibition Hall, creating further opportunities for engagement.

The Innovator’s Pitch Challenge features a distinctive voting system where registered RESI attendees—including startup executives, early-stage investors, and industry experts – ‘invest’ in their favorite IPC companies using RESI cash provided at check-in. Attendees based their decisions on the companies’ presentations and pitch performances.

For those interested in participating in the next Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, applications for RESI JPM 2025 are now being accepted for the waitlist only as all slots are completely full.

Apply to RESI JPM IPC Waitlist

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RESI JPM 2025 IPC Finalists 

3 Dec

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

Life Science Nation announces the finalists for the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) at the upcoming RESI JPM 2025, which will take place at the Marriott Marquis in San Francisco. These innovative startups will showcase their technology in the life sciences and healthcare technologies across the 4Ds—drugs, devices, diagnostics, and digital health.

The IPC provides a unique opportunity for emerging companies to pitch directly to a panel of active investors, including venture capital firms, family offices, corporate venture arms, and angel groups. Participants receive invaluable feedback on their pitch, enjoy the chance to network with investors, and compete for recognition among their peers.

The IPC Finalists will also showcase their technologies in the RESI Exhibition Hall, where they can connect with RESI attendees. This platform highlights the diversity and creativity driving innovation in life sciences.

About the RESI Innovator’s Pitch Challenge

The IPC is a core component of RESI conferences, setting them apart from other partnering events. Finalists pitch to a dedicated panel of investors who provide interactive feedback, and the competition is designed to foster valuable connections and constructive dialogue. IPC participants benefit from conference registrations with full access to partnering opportunities, exhibit space, and the potential to win complimentary registration to a future RESI conference.

Join Us at RESI JPM 2025

This 50th edition of RESI features an expanded schedule, including an in-person day on January 14 and three virtual partnering days on January 15, 16, and January 21. Registration is currently open. Don’t miss your chance to engage with innovators, investors, and industry leaders at this premier event.

Meet the RESI JPM 2025 Innovator’s Pitch Challenge Finalists:

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Register for  RESI London Register for RESI JPM

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RFK Jr. as HHS Head: Biotech Investment Implications 

3 Dec

By Greg Mannix, VP, EMEA Business Development, LSN

GregEditor’s note: The below article is a digest of published expert analyst commentary rather than original content.

According to analysts, RFK Jr’s nomination to head HHS may have introduced a level of uncertainty when it comes to the future of biotech and pharma investment, especially in the areas of vaccines and infectious disease. After his appointment, pharma stocks, especially those of vaccine makers, dropped. Regulatory uncertainty is generally not ideal for the industry. For example, Moderna tried to reassure investors by asserting that according to legislation, the secretary’s role is management, not policy. We may see an RFK who focuses on diet and obesity prevention and leaves regulatory matters for the FDA commissioner (Trump nominated Marty Makary, MD). On the other hand, if HHS, FDA, CDC (for which Trump nominated Dave Weldon, MD) and NIH (for which Trump nominated Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD) see a departure of resources with scientific expertise, the resulting uncertainty could have a dampening effect on investment, especially at the venture stages. However, reducing FDA funding may face hurdles due to nearly half the agency’s budget being funded by user fees rather than federal funds.

RFK Jr has expressed skepticism of the transparency of the safety data behind COVID vaccines as well as vaccines for measles and polio. However, his primary complaint has been mandates rather than regulatory process; He has also expressed sentiment toward GLP-1s, highlighting that these drugs address symptoms rather than food system issues. This has resulted in some industry analysts expressing concern about the confidence of investors who fund vaccines or infectious disease therapies.

NIH funding is also a concern to biotech investors. RFK Jr previously stated that he would reduce NIH staff by 600 – 20,000 employees on his first day on office, potentially shrinking an organization that spends $50B on research, either directly, through monetary grants or through partnerships. Watch our video with the NIH, where they explain funding and partnering options beyond SBIR. Given the reliance life science startups have on NIH funding and partnerships, an RFK Jr effect on startup investment dollars could be most influenced in the short term by potential changes at the NIH. RFK Jr also said that he wants the NIH to take an 8-year break from researching infectious disease, presumably to focus on chronic diseases. He has also stated in the Wall Street Journal that half of NIH’s budget should be dedicated to research on preventative, alternative and holisitic medicine. Notwithstanding the above, the first Trump administration recommended cuts in federal spending on research too, but the NIH saw its budget increase 30% between 2016 and 2020.

Finally, RFK Jr has indicated that he wants DTC pharmaceutical advertising to cease. Analysts have estimated returns on DTC advertising to be 100% to 500%, and some have indicated that such a ban would reduce pharmaceutical revenue.

All that said, many analysts and government experts have indicated that they do not believe RFK Jr. will end up making seismic shifts in the above areas, due to congressional oversight, industry pressure or precedent during the first Trump administration. Perhaps more important will be Makary’s moves as FDA commissioner and Bhattacharya’s actions as head of the NIH. The one thing we can be sure of is the first quarter of 2025 will certainly be carefully watched by the biotech investors.

Register for RESI JPM

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Navigating Early-Stage Funding in Life Sciences 

3 Dec

By Momo Yamamoto, Senior Investor Research Analyst, LSN

Securing early-stage funding is a pivotal challenge for life sciences startups aiming to bring innovative technologies to the market. Investors are increasingly drawn to biotechnology and life sciences opportunities, motivated by the potential for significant impact.

Co-moderated with Labiotech.eu, Europe’s leading biotech platform, this webinar offers exclusive insights into investor strategies, emerging trends, and what it takes to capture attention in today’s funding landscape.

Watch the full discussion here:

Register for RESI JPM

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Confirmed Investors at RESI London and RESI JPM   

19 Nov

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

Life Science Nation (LSN) is proud to host two pivotal RESI conferences to close out 2024 and kick off 2025: RESI London and RESI JPM. Each event combines in-person networking with virtual partnering to provide unparalleled opportunities for startups, service providers, and investors.

RESI London: December 4-6, 2024

Co-located with Genesis 2024, RESI London takes place in person on Wednesday, December 4, at 11 Cavendish Square, with two days of virtual partnering on December 5-6. This conference will bring together European and global investors, including VCs, angel groups, family offices, and others, with cutting-edge companies across the life sciences sector. Attendees can expect insightful investor panels, the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC), and direct access to investors through the partnering platform.

RESI London 2024 Confirmed Investors

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RESI JPM: January 14-21, 2025

As part of JP Morgan Healthcare Week, RESI JPM will take place in person on Tuesday, January 14, at the Marriot Marquis in San Francisco, followed by virtual partnering on January 15-16 and an additional virtual day on January 21. This extended virtual component, introduced based on attendee feedback, ensures even greater connectivity with investors worldwide.

RESI JPM will feature expert-led investor panels, engaging workshops, the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC), and one-on-one partnering meetings. Marking the 50th RESI conference, the event will host over 600 investors, including representatives from big pharma, medtech, CVCs, venture capital funds, and family offices.

RESI JPM 2025 Confirmed Investors

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What Makes RESI Unique?

LSN’s investor research team carefully curates a pool of investors actively seeking opportunities in the life sciences sector. This meticulous vetting ensures high-quality connections through the RESI partnering platform, enabling attendees to focus their efforts on investors that match their goals.

Whether you are seeking to showcase your technology, connect with industry leaders, or identify promising investments, the upcoming RESI London and RESI JPM conferences are unmissable opportunities to expand your network and build meaningful partnerships.

Register for  RESI London Register for RESI JPM

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