Ventures

Epilepsy causes uncontrolled seizures, greatly reducing quality of life and sometimes leading to early death. Over 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, but only two-thirds respond to medication. For those with drug-resistant epilepsy, treatment options are limited and often ineffective. MIR Therapeutics is developing a new gene therapy to provide lasting and powerful seizure control for drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Their therapy delivers microRNA-335 to the affected brain regions using an AAV9 viral vector, which helps control hyperexcitability by regulating voltage-gated sodium channels. This results in fewer and less severe seizures.

Karla Therapeutics is exploring an approach, treating mental disorders by leveraging our immune system. Neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and OCD are increasingly prevalent, yet treatment options often have side effects and limited effectiveness. By bridging between the immune system and mental health, Karla aims to revolutionize treatment methods. Their research focuses on a specific protein identified by top-tier immunologists, showing promising results in early experiments for OCD, anxiety, and ADHD.

Neurolieve Biosciences, a pre-clinical stage company, is developing Fc2-13 GalR2, an innovative bioengineered protein (FC fusion protein) targeting neuropathic pain. Peripheral Neuropathy, a debilitating condition affecting millions, damages the peripheral nervous system, causing severe discomfort and lowering quality of life. The fusion protein reduces peripheral neuron excitability, providing pain relief. After successful in vitro and in vivo validations, the company is advancing towards GLP toxicology studies completion.

MLA Diagnostics improves melanoma diagnosis, offering personalized measurement of malignancy levels. Traditional diagnosis often leads to overtreatment or undertreatment, resulting in patient distress or undetected cancer progression. By analyzing methylation, our test provides accurate prognosis, enabling tailored treatment plans and saving lives. With the melanoma therapeutics market on the rise, our innovative solution is poised to make a significant impact, improve patient outcomes and create opportunities.

Rare diseases often lead to years of diagnostic odyssey and immense patient suffering. Therefore Genorare is set to dramatically shorten this diagnostic journey for individuals with rare diseases. Genorare's platform enables real-time, secure analysis of genomic, clinical, and phenotypic data using Large Language Models, predictive analytics, and Fully Homomorphic Encryption. A key innovation is the use of Fully Homomorphic Encryption, a next-generation privacy technology that allows for advanced analysis while ensuring patient data remains completely secure, promising a new standard of care for the rare disease community.

MindAffect is redefining what’s possible in diagnostics. By harnessing Brain-Computer Interface technology and AI, we can “read” how the brain reacts to sound and visual stimuli—objectively, in real time, and without requiring a single response from the patient. At the core is our patented and clinically validated Rapid CAEP® technology, which captures the brain’s automatic reactions. This breakthrough allows clinicians to diagnose patients who would otherwise be difficult or impossible to test—such as infants, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. In a world where over two billion people are underserved by current diagnostic methods, this changes everything. Our first product, Sofi, is the world’s fastest objective hearing diagnostic system, delivering accurate hearing thresholds in minutes. Sofi has been validated in leading hospitals, championed by key opinion leaders across the audiology community, and recognized globally—winning the Innovation Award at the World Congress of Audiology

ArtiFex tackles a solution for coronary and peripheral bypass surgeries. Traditional grafts from the great saphenous vein face issues like rapid degeneration, leading to complications. With millions of bypass surgeries conducted annually and a billion-dollar market for vascular grafts, there's a clear need for improvement. ArtiFex's innovative vascular graft, made of cobalt-chrome and cellulose promotes tissue regeneration, strength, and ensures blood flow without causing clotting or immune reactions.

Persuasive addresses the challenge of identifying Stable Angina patients early on, crucial for preventing heart attacks. Currently, without a diagnostic test in general practitioner settings, many referrals to hospitals prove unnecessary. The solution is a simple blood test, leveraging an extracellular vesicle protein signature to distinguish SA patients from those with non-cardiac chest pain. This innovative approach promises to streamline patient management, saving lives and healthcare resources.