BGV (BioGeneration Ventures)

BGV (BioGeneration Ventures) is pleased to welcome Margien Boels as an Investment Manager for BGV’s FIRST fund. In addition to her role at BGV, Margien serves as Chief Operating Officer of Phlox Therapeutics, a portfolio company of the FIRST fund. Since 2021, she has led Phlox’s strategic growth and operational excellence, advancing the development of a novel RNA-based therapeutic for rare cardiomyopathies. Before joining BGV, Margien was Senior Impact Officer with the valorization team at the Dutch CardioVascular Alliance (DCVA). In this role, she played a key part in supporting the creation of start-ups driven by pioneering cardiovascular research in the Netherlands. Margien also brings industry experience from her time at Eli Lilly and Nutricia, a Danone Company, where she focused on chronic diseases as part of the medical teams. Holding a PhD in Medicine from Leiden University Medical Center and an MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology, Margien combines scientific expertise with strategic business acumen to help accelerate breakthrough healthcare innovations. We look forward to Margien’s contributions to BGV and the continued success of our FIRST fund’s portfolio companies. Click on the following link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/ex25scsU #biotech #lifesciences

BGV (BioGeneration Ventures) proudly congratulates its portfolio company, Citryll, on the publication of new research in Frontiers in Immunology that highlights the expanded therapeutic potential of its monoclonal antibody, CIT-013. Originally developed to target Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), CIT-013 has now been shown to effectively inhibit the formation of eosinophil extracellular traps (EETs) with equal potency. The study also confirmed the presence of CIT-013’s epitope on EETs, reinforcing the broader applicability of Citryll’s innovative approach beyond neutrophilic inflammatory diseases. Read the full publication here: https://lnkd.in/eBNyjPYm Daniela Couto #lifesciences #publication #biotech

On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, BGV (BioGeneration Ventures) proudly honors the remarkable contributions of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). To all the women and girls working to change the world through science, let us continue to inspire the next generation of leaders in STEM. We are especially proud of the amazing women on the BGV investment team who are making an impact every day: Daniela Couto, PhD Rianne Ellenbroek, PhD Karen Chan, PhD Margien Boels, PhD, MBA Jana Obajdin, PhD Cathrin Hansen, PhD Tag a scientist or mentor who inspires you, and learn more about the incredible women at BGV working in this field by clicking the following link: https://lnkd.in/eZWQ4pXa #WomenInSTEM #DayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience #Innovation #BioGenerationVentures #biotech #lifesciences #venturecapital

We are pleased to welcome Jana Obajdin, PhD, as an Analyst, and Cathrin Hansen, PhD, as a Fellow to the BGV (BioGeneration Ventures) team. Jana holds a PhD in Cancer & Pharmaceutical Science from King's College London, where her research focused on optimizing the structure and composition of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for the treatment of solid tumors. Cathrin completed her PhD research as a Marie Curie Fellow at Amsterdam UMC, specializing in neurovascular biology and neuroimmunology. Their expertise will be invaluable in advancing our mission to support groundbreaking life science innovations. We look forward to their contributions to the BGV family. Learn more about our team by clicking on the following link: https://lnkd.in/eZWQ4pXa #LifeSciences #BiotechInvestment #HealthcareInnovation #NewTeamMembers #welcome #lifesciences #venturecapital #biotech

BGV (BioGeneration Ventures) is pleased to announce the appointment of Pieter Rottiers, PhD, as Chief Executive Officer and Director of its portfolio company Tanai Therapeutics. With over 20 years of leadership in medical biotechnology, Pieter brings a proven track record in advancing innovative therapies, including his expertise in guiding early-stage and clinical programs. His appointment marks a pivotal moment for Tanai as the company works to develop its groundbreaking, oral, first-in-class therapeutic targeting a genetically validated pathway for obesity treatment. Read more about Peter's appointment using the following link: https://lnkd.in/e5Ebtcf2 Rianne Ellenbroek #lifesciences #bitoech #obesity #CEO #moverandshaker #appointment #leadership

BGV (BioGeneration Ventures) is proud to announce that its portfolio company RhyGaze AG, a spinout from the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), has successfully closed a USD 86 million Series A funding round. Led by GV (Google Ventures), with participation from ARCH Venture Partners, F-Prime Capital, and founding investors BioGeneration Ventures and Novartis Venture Fund, this funding will advance RhyGaze’s groundbreaking gene therapy for optogenetic vision restoration. The investment will enable critical steps, including pharmacology and toxicology testing, observational studies, and a first-in-human clinical trial to assess safety and efficacy. We commend the RhyGaze team for their significant progress and look forward to their continued contributions to innovative vision restoration solutions. Read more using the following link: https://lnkd.in/e-y66iJq #financing #lifesciences #venturecapital

BGV (BioGeneration Ventures) portfolio company CatalYm GmbH has appointed Scott Clarke as its new Chief Executive Officer. With over 20 years of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, Scott brings deep expertise in driving company growth, advancing innovative therapies, and shaping strategic transactions. Scott's appointment marks an important milestone as CatalYm enters a new phase of corporate and clinical development. The company is set to launch a broad Phase 2b program for its lead candidate, visugromab, targeting non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer and additional tumor types. Click on the following link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/ehSdxuK8 #Biopharma #Leadership #Innovation #CancerTherapies #BGVPortfolio #CatalYm

BGV (BioGeneration Ventures) is excited to share an important milestone from our portfolio company, AZAFAROS B.V.. The company’s lead asset, nizubaglustat, has received orphan drug designation from both the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of GM1 gangliosidosis. This recognition highlights the potential of nizubaglustat to address a significant unmet need in rare lysosomal storage disorders. Azafaros has also announced that its Clinical Trial Application (CTA) for two global Phase 3 studies has been approved across multiple European countries. These trials will assess the safety and efficacy of nizubaglustat in GM1/GM2 gangliosidoses and Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC), with enrollment expected to begin in Q2, 2025. Earlier this year, the company shared positive topline results from a successful Phase 2 study, demonstrating a strong safety profile and early signs of clinical benefit in most patients. These results mark an encouraging step forward in Azafaros’ mission to deliver transformative therapies for patients with rare neurological diseases. Click on the following link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/ecgBaxtn #lifesciences #biotech #portfoliocompany

As the year comes to a close, we reflect on the incredible progress and innovation in the life sciences community throughout 2024. At BGV (BioGeneration Ventures) Ventures, we are proud to support and collaborate with passionate entrepreneurs driving breakthroughs in healthcare and biotechnology. This holiday season, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our portfolio companies, partners, and the broader ecosystem for your dedication and trust. Together, we are shaping a healthier, more sustainable future. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season filled with warmth, happiness, and inspiration. Here is to continued success and impact in the new year! #HappyHolidays #LifeSciences #Innovation #BioGenerationVentures #ThankYou Would you like to make any adjustments or add specific achievements from the past year?

Amazing news from our FIRST fund https://lnkd.in/eTwa9vEP