BGF

LifeArc Ventures - six new investments, portfolio progress and an expanding investment team

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024
BIA, BGF, Biotechnology, Ion channel, COVID-19, Cytomegalovirus, Methamphetamine, UBS, Therapy, Asthma, Meetup, Disease, Venture, Innovation, ADHD, Safety, Frontotemporal dementia, Eurosport 1, AstraZeneca, Cocaine, CMV, Chair, COPD, Infection, Investment, LifeArc, AbCellera, Bose, Patient, Associate, G protein-coupled receptor, Partnership, Innovate UK, Merck Group, Ecosystem, PwC, FDA, System, Chronic pain, Clinical trial, News, Pharmaceutical industry

LifeArc Ventures' portfolio grew in 2023, as we invested in five companies and co-founded one new company across the therapeutics and healthtech space.

Key Points: 
  • LifeArc Ventures' portfolio grew in 2023, as we invested in five companies and co-founded one new company across the therapeutics and healthtech space.
  • We have expanded our investment team, adding two new members and further strengthened our Early Ventures Investment Committee through the appointment of a new Chair and new independent member.
  • Jon joined us from M Ventures' biotechnology investment team and previously was an associate within the healthcare investment banking team at UBS, after starting his career as a doctor.
  • In addition, Clare Terlouw, Head of LifeArc Ventures, was re-elected to the BioIndustry Association (BIA) Board of Directors for the third time.

LifeArc Ventures - six new investments, portfolio progress and an expanding investment team

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024
BIA, BGF, Biotechnology, Ion channel, COVID-19, Cytomegalovirus, Methamphetamine, UBS, Therapy, Asthma, Meetup, Disease, Venture, Innovation, ADHD, Safety, Frontotemporal dementia, Eurosport 1, AstraZeneca, Cocaine, CMV, Chair, COPD, Infection, Investment, LifeArc, AbCellera, Bose, Patient, Associate, G protein-coupled receptor, Partnership, Innovate UK, Merck Group, Ecosystem, PwC, FDA, System, Chronic pain, Clinical trial, News, Pharmaceutical industry

LifeArc Ventures' portfolio grew in 2023, as we invested in five companies and co-founded one new company across the therapeutics and healthtech space.

Key Points: 
  • LifeArc Ventures' portfolio grew in 2023, as we invested in five companies and co-founded one new company across the therapeutics and healthtech space.
  • We have expanded our investment team, adding two new members and further strengthened our Early Ventures Investment Committee through the appointment of a new Chair and new independent member.
  • Jon joined us from M Ventures' biotechnology investment team and previously was an associate within the healthcare investment banking team at UBS, after starting his career as a doctor.
  • In addition, Clare Terlouw, Head of LifeArc Ventures, was re-elected to the BioIndustry Association (BIA) Board of Directors for the third time.

ViaNautis Bio announces $25 million Series A financing to drive the next generation of genetic nanomedicines

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 13, 2023
CNS, BGF, Brain, Cystic fibrosis, Head, IBEC, Science, Tissue, Biological engineering, Patient, Small RNA, Asos, Pancreas, Messenger, UCL, Eli Lilly, Therapy, Plasmid, Nanomedicine, Central nervous system, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, ICREA, Vaccine, Pharmaceutical industry

Formerly known as SomaServe, ViaNautis has secured support from a consortium of prominent global investors enabling the advancement of its proprietary drug delivery platform – polyNaut®.

Key Points: 
  • Formerly known as SomaServe, ViaNautis has secured support from a consortium of prominent global investors enabling the advancement of its proprietary drug delivery platform – polyNaut®.
  • ViaNautis’s polyNaut® platform applies advanced polymer materials and in silico screening to precisely guide genetic molecules such as pDNA, mRNA, siRNA and ASOs to their intended targets.
  • ViaNautis presents an excellent opportunity in the world of genetic therapies by enabling the delivery of cargoes to otherwise inaccessible sites of action in the body.
  • It opens a plethora of novel prospects in the world of genetic therapies, offering the ability to reach previously inaccessible treatment sites.

Machine Discovery Secures $6 Million to Deliver AI Tools For Semiconductor Design

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
University, UCSB Physics Department, CSO, BGF, OXFORD, Content discovery platform, Machine learning, Engineering, Growth, Video game, Manufacturing

First core application in analog semiconductor design, delivering instant prediction capability for integrated circuit design as a companion to existing tools and simulators.

Key Points: 
  • First core application in analog semiconductor design, delivering instant prediction capability for integrated circuit design as a companion to existing tools and simulators.
  • By 2026, Machine Discovery will cut the analog semiconductor product development cycle in half.
  • OXFORD, England and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Machine Discovery, a software company which uses machine learning technology to accelerate compute-intensive optimization and simulation tasks, has secured $6 million of funding.
  • Bijan Kiani, CEO of Machine Discovery, said: "Machine Discovery is pioneering the use of machine learning to reduce product development cycles in a variety of sectors.

Ion Channel Drug Developer Maxion Therapeutics Appoints Eva-Lotta Allan as Chair of its Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Partnership, G protein-coupled receptor, Iochpe-Maxion, Biotechnology, Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership, Almirall, Antibody, USD, BGF, NED, Immunocore, GPCR, Partner, Patient, CBO, Chairperson, Drug discovery, Growth, Ablynx, Therapy, Eva-Lotta Kiibus, Chronic pain, Eurosport 1, Nomination, Management

Eva-Lotta Allan, Chair, Board of Directors, Maxion Therapeutics, commented: "I'm delighted to be appointed to Maxion at such an exciting time in its development.

Key Points: 
  • Eva-Lotta Allan, Chair, Board of Directors, Maxion Therapeutics, commented: "I'm delighted to be appointed to Maxion at such an exciting time in its development.
  • I look forward to working with the Board of Directors and the rest of the Maxion team to help improve patients' lives while creating value for our shareholders."
  • KnotBody technology combines the benefits of naturally occurring mini-proteins, which have ion channel modulating activity, with antibodies, using state-of-the-art phage and mammalian display technologies.
  • The resulting fusion protein, which combines the drug-like benefits of both molecules, helps address key challenges in ion channel and GPCR drug discovery.

Caristo Diagnostics Completes Series A Financing and Welcomes New CEO to Advance Ground-Breaking AI Technology for Cardiac Disease Detection

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 17, 2023
University of Oxford, LLP, CVD, Consultant, Splenic infarction, FAI, CCTA, CCO, BGF, Medicare, Oxford Sciences Enterprises, US, Risk, Algorithm, Association of British HealthTech Industries, AI, FDA, Cardiovascular disease, Death, Computed tomography angiography, Medical device, Pharmaceutical industry, EU

OXFORD, England, April 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Caristo Diagnostics Limited, a global leader in cardiac and vascular disease diagnostics and risk prediction, today announced it has secured a further £13 million (US$16.3 million) to conclude its Series A financing round. Caristo will use the capital to advance its CaRi-Heart® technology, an AI-assisted diagnostics and risk prediction tool, into standards of cardiac care in major global markets.

Key Points: 
  • Caristo will use the capital to advance its CaRi-Heart® technology, an AI-assisted diagnostics and risk prediction tool, into standards of cardiac care in major global markets.
  • The investment was led by Oxford Science Enterprises and joined by BGF , Longwall Venture Partners , Oxford Investment Consultants LLP , Oxford University and other investors.
  • "We are thrilled that five successful institutional investors participated in the financing round which validates the vast clinical and business potential of Caristo's innovations", said Oran Muduroglu, Board Chairman of Caristo.
  • Caristo aims to change this statistic through the delivery of its state-of-the-art coronary disease diagnostic technology.

Caristo Diagnostics Completes Series A Financing and Welcomes New CEO to Advance Ground-Breaking AI Technology for Cardiac Disease Detection

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 17, 2023
University of Oxford, LLP, CVD, Consultant, Splenic infarction, FAI, CCTA, CCO, BGF, Medicare, Oxford Sciences Enterprises, US, Risk, Algorithm, Association of British HealthTech Industries, AI, FDA, Cardiovascular disease, Death, Computed tomography angiography, Medical device, Pharmaceutical industry, EU

OXFORD, England, April 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Caristo Diagnostics Limited, a global leader in cardiac and vascular disease diagnostics and risk prediction, today announced it has secured a further £13 million (US$16.3 million) to conclude its Series A financing round. Caristo will use the capital to advance its CaRi-Heart® technology, an AI-assisted diagnostics and risk prediction tool, into standards of cardiac care in major global markets.

Key Points: 
  • Caristo will use the capital to advance its CaRi-Heart® technology, an AI-assisted diagnostics and risk prediction tool, into standards of cardiac care in major global markets.
  • The investment was led by Oxford Science Enterprises and joined by BGF , Longwall Venture Partners , Oxford Investment Consultants LLP , Oxford University and other investors.
  • "We are thrilled that five successful institutional investors participated in the financing round which validates the vast clinical and business potential of Caristo's innovations", said Oran Muduroglu, Board Chairman of Caristo.
  • Caristo aims to change this statistic through the delivery of its state-of-the-art coronary disease diagnostic technology.

Survey from LoopMe Reveals 62% of Consumers Play Games on Their Mobile Devices, with 76% Playing More Than an Hour per Day

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Technology, Electronic Games, Social Media, Entertainment, Mobile Entertainment, Consumer, Apps, Applications, Artificial Intelligence, Marketing, Digital Marketing, Advertising, Other Consumer, Communications, Content Marketing, Music, GDPR, Gaming, Research report, Advertising, BGF, Research, SVP, Artificial intelligence, Marketing, Growth, CTV, IDC, EMarketer, Video game, Statista

“There are clear benefits to brands that explore new creative experiences that help keep in-app mobile gaming audiences highly engaged,” said Lewis Ward, Research Director, Gaming and VR/AR at IDC. “Leveraging newer ad formats -- for instance, playable and interactive ads -- can translate into more momentum for brands’ ad content because users don’t have to be passive, which is, of course, how games work. The in-app mobile gaming creative market will get more interesting in 2023 as more big brands experiment with these more engaging ad types."

Key Points: 
  • The new research from LoopMe explores consumer preferences related to in-app mobile gaming in the U.S., the U.K., and Singapore.
  • Key findings show that 62% of consumers play games on their mobile devices, with 76% playing upwards of an hour daily, and 15% playing for more than five hours per day.
  • Furthermore, one fifth of mobile gamers are highly attentive, focusing on the gameplay and nothing else, presenting a prime captive audience to lean into mobile brand advertising.
  • Most brands are not intentionally buying mobile gaming app advertising as a branding vehicle and some arent even aware they are buying it.

CJ Biomaterials Partners with South Korean Industry-University Research Council to Promote Eco-Friendly Material and Accelerate Adoption of PHA Technology

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
SKC, CJ CheilJedang, Ductility, Policy, Foodservice, EP, PHA, NatureWorks, CJ Group, Plastic, Partnership, Food packaging, Soil, Ministry of Science and ICT, PLA, Trifecta Entertainment & Media, CJ, HDC Hyundai EP, Carbon, San Francisco Mandatory Recycling and Composting Ordinance, Hyundai, TUV, Ministry, BGF, Happiness, Entertainment, Restaurant, APHA color, Organization, Certification, MCA, Polymer, MSIT, Incheon National University, Fermentation, Biopolymer, Coffee, Research, ICT, APHA, Compost, Health, Special, Silk, Science, Accor

CJ Biomaterials' PHA product, known as PHACT, is a 100% bio-based polyester produced by fermentation.

Key Points: 
  • CJ Biomaterials' PHA product, known as PHACT, is a 100% bio-based polyester produced by fermentation.
  • CJ Biomaterials will participate in the Bioplastic Future Tech Forum for Special R&D Zone hosted by the MSIT and INNOPOLIS.
  • This is an industry-university research consultative body based in South Korea that welcomes participation from domestic and foreign companies.
  • Earlier this year, CJ Biomaterials announced commercial-scale production of PHA following the inauguration of its production facility in Pasuruan, Indonesia.

Cambridge GaN Devices Secures $19m to Scale up for $50bn Power Semiconductor Device Market

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Data Management, Technology, Research, Engineering, Sustainability, Manufacturing, Mobile, Wireless, Environment, Other Professional Services, Other Energy, Finance, Semiconductor, Utilities, Alternative Energy, Energy, Professional Services, Artificial Intelligence, Other Technology, Software, Hardware, Science, CO2, IP, University, Imperial, TSMC, Engine department, Eaton, Science and technology in Asia, Growth, Foresight Solar Fund, Electricity, CGD, Investment, Financial Conduct Authority, AI, Martlet, ICS, Gallium nitride, CIC, Engineering, Strategic Foresight Group, University of Cambridge, Electronics, BEIS, EIS, VCT, Low-carbon economy, Business Growth Fund, Seed, Lighting, BGF, Genomics, ASIC, PCB, Traction, Attention, Medtech, Value, Semiconductor, Boilermaker, Consumer electronics, Renewable energy, Creative industries, Fine chemical, Bristol, EU, Penta

Our ICeGaN GaN transistors which are now in the hands of customers at scale are amongst the most efficient devices of their type on the market.

Key Points: 
  • Our ICeGaN GaN transistors which are now in the hands of customers at scale are amongst the most efficient devices of their type on the market.
  • CGD has already made remarkable progress, developing new intellectual property and bringing to market its new ICeGaN Gallium Nitride transistor family which addresses a $50bn global power semiconductor market.
  • As a Value Chain Aggregator of TSMC, we supported Cambridge GaN Devices as the first GaN customer in Europe.
  • Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD) is a fabless semiconductor company spun out by Prof. Florin Udrea and Dr. Giorgia Longobardi from Cambridge University in 2016 to exploit a revolutionary technology in power devices.