Tag Archives: investor

Hot Investor Mandate 4: Toronto-Based Global Firm Seeks to Invest Early-Stage Medical Device, Diagnostics, and Digital Health Companies

19 Apr

A firm based in Toronto that has offices worldwide manages a variety of different investment vehicles including private equity and multi-strategy funds. In the life sciences, the firm makes equity investments typically at Series A; initial investments range from $100,000-$1 million with follow on capital available of $1-3 million. The firm focuses on companies based in North America but has the capacity to invest worldwide.

In the life sciences, the firm focuses on medical devices, diagnostics and digital health companies. The firm prefers to invest in companies that are close to commercialization or which are already generating revenue (for example, device companies must ideally be ready to file for a CE Mark, 510k or Health Canada application).

The firm prefers to invest in experienced entrepreneurs who have deep knowledge of their sector. The firm only invests in companies developing products that have a clear path to market, and which serve a clear need; the firm prefers to invest in companies that are no more than a year from obtaining revenues. As the firm has offices globally, the firm is well placed to help portfolio companies make international distribution or license/royalty agreements. The firm invests 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 mandates@lifesciencenation.com.

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Why MaRS Toronto for an International Early Stage Investor Conference?

5 Apr

By Dennis Ford, Founder & CEO, Life Science Nation; Creator of RESI Conference Series

There is a rich diversity of technology assets being developed in Toronto, as MaRS Discovery District and Johnson & Johnson’s JLABS have convened to create one of the most dynamic centers for life science technology innovation in North America. However, not to use an old cliché, Toronto’s real value in life science is in the people, from its visionary leaders to its extraordinary scientist-entrepreneurs, all striving (and succeeding) to move the needle and create the next generation of healthcare innovation.

When I first launched the Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) Conference in Toronto in 2016, my network of global early-stage investors were initially open to seeing what was up in the north country. Just two years and three Toronto RESI conferences later, I am witnessing unprecedented signups from the global investor community. Much to my amazement, this upcoming RESI conference (April 10th at MaRS Discovery Centre) has seen a 25% increase in investor and strategic partner registrations. We expect 300-350 qualified investors (all with vetted investment mandates) to peruse the lineup of hundreds of early-stage biotech, medtech, diagnostics and digital health startups. But one quite compelling factor is that we expect that almost 60% of the investors and partners will be from outside of Canada.

But I digress. Back to the people factor. What I learned from discussion with investors who have attended RESI on MaRS in the past was actually quite startling. The main takeaway from a majority of the investors I chatted with was that the caliber of the fundraising CEOs and scientist-entrepreneurs was the main differentiator. It was their genuineness and their lack of inflated value of their technology that impressed the investors. In contrast, the Boston, NYC and CA players had elevated expectations regarding the amount of time it takes to get a deal done, and the valuations of their assets were off the charts. The investors implied that if they find a deal they like in Toronto, the valuations and executive teams in Canada are much more realistic, which translates into getting contracts signed quicker. These perceptions impact and ignite the global investor community and have heightened interest in Toronto, which proves out the adage that if you build it, they will come!

 

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Hot Investor Mandate 1: Large VC Firm Focused on Data-Driven Life Science Technologies, from Devices to Computational Drug Discovery

5 Apr

A venture capital firm with offices in California backs entrepreneurs applying deep and differentiated technology to transform giant industries. The firm focuses on seed and series A investments and has raised multiple funds to date, with over $1B AUM. The firm usually makes seed investments in the range of $250K – $1M and venture-stage investments from $1M-$4M and may use both convertible notes or straight equity. The firm may lead or co-invest in a syndicate and looks to add unique value to entrepreneurs with a strong Equity Partner network, operational experience and technical background.

The firm invests in several verticals and is focused on deep technologies such as AI, advanced materials, quantum computing, etc. In the healthcare space, the firm is focused on the entire continuum including computational drug discovery, AI-driven diagnostics, better/faster clinical trials and technologies used by payers and providers to better understand and manage risk and drive better outcomes. The common theme is that the startup’s underlying technology be novel and data-driven. The firm is also interested in synthetic biology. The firm does not invest in biopharma or traditional medical devices/diagnostics with a standard regulatory pathway.

The firm requires that startups have some type of proof-of concept and traction. The firm prefers experienced/proven management teams and entrepreneurs that are introduced through the firm’s network. The firm typically seeks a board seat when leading an investment.

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

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Hot Investor Mandate 2: Healthcare-Focused VC and PE Fund Invests in North American Companies in Therapeutics, Medical Devices, Digital Health and Services

5 Apr

A private equity and venture fund is currently focused on health care investments such as therapeutics, medical devices, health care services, and digital health companies. The firm likes to invest early, generally seed-series A, as one of the earliest investors, and be involved throughout the life of the company, helping it grow and develop. The firm invests primarily in companies in North America. The firm will generally invest $250,000-$2M in the initial investment, with the potential for continuing funding. Because the firm prefers to play an active role in their portfolio companies, the firm will only invest in a limited number of companies at any given time.

The firm primarily invests in therapeutics and medical devices. Because the firm prefers to invest early, they look at companies that are still pre-clinical/in development and, for devices, will consider PMA as well as 510k devices. The firm is indication agnostic, focusing on technologies that inspire their passion. The firm will consider investing in technologies related to orphan diseases.

The firm has no specific management team requirements. Due to the firm’s active role in their portfolio companies, the firm does like to take a board seat following the investment.

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

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Hot Investor Mandate 3: Technology Firm Establishes New Venture Fund for Investing in Early-Stage Digital Health Companies Globally

5 Apr

An operating group of a global public technology firm with an $18B market cap. The group began its venture portfolio in 2018 with investments in B-to-B software companies targeted at specific vertical markets such as healthcare. The fund invests $0.5M – 1M per company and is seeking companies raising seed to Series B rounds. The company is seeking 5 – 10 new investments to build their initial portfolio. The company prefers companies based in Canada, though as the parent firm is located in the US, UK, EU, and AU, the fund is open to invest globally.

The company is seeking healthcare IT, and they are particularly investing in technologies with a software component. The firm prefers commercial-stage companies, though is open to looking at clinical-stage companies as well. The company is indication agnostic.

The company will help companies fill management team positions, if necessary. The company prefers companies that are generating $100K – 3M in annual revenue.

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

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Hot Investor Mandate 4: USA and China-Based Biotech Company Seeks to Invest in Life Science Companies, with Focus on Cell/Gene Therapies, Antibodies, Synthetic Biology, etc.

5 Apr

A public biotech company with headquarters in USA and China is actively seeking for investment, partnering and acquisition opportunities to expand the company’s business in multiple areas. The firm usually invests as a strategic investor in as early as seed rounds. Typical allocations are $1-5 M.

The firm’s sectors of focus are cell and gene therapies, antibody therapeutics, life science tools, drug discovery technologies, synthetic biology technologies and industrial enzyme products.

The firm may seek a board seat depending upon size of investment. The firm is open to working with all stages of management teams and may lead or co-invest.

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

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Hot Investor Mandate 1: France-Based VC Initially Invests Up to $15M in Eary-Stage Therapeutics and Medical Device Companies

29 Mar

A venture capital firm based in Paris, France invests in early stage life science companies and seeks to be the first institutional investor in a company. The firm has raised numerous funds to date and currently has approximately €1.4 billion AUM. The firm is currently investing from its recent fund of €300M. The firm makes seed and venture investments, oftentimes investing in a company’s seed round and later leading the Company’s A round. The firm can allocate €1-15M initially and up to € 30 M over the life of the investment.

The firm is currently looking for biotech therapeutics and medical devices and tends to steer away from service companies. For therapeutics, the firm is agnostic in terms of subsector and invests in small molecule, biologics, cell and gene therapy, etc. The firm is also indication agnostic, but currently most interested in oncology (especially CAR-T assets), immunology/inflammation, CNS/neurology (with a particular interest in rare neuro conditions). The firm will consider products as early as 24-months from IND through to Phase III. For medical devices, the firm seeks paradigm-shifting technologies that can reach a human proof-of-concept stage in a relatively short period of time, and prefers PMA regulatory pathways although is open to other regulatory pathways as well.

The firm prefers to lead or co-lead an investment and generally requires a board seat in its portfolio companies. The firm seeks outstanding entrepreneurial management teams.

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

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