Forbion

Portfolio



  • Allecra Therapeutics


    Lörrach
    Germany
    CEO: Nicholas Benedict

    Phone  +41 79 592 2005
    www.allecra.com

    Allecra Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company established in 2013 focussed on the development of novel treatments to combat multi drug-resistant bacterial infections.

    Forbion contact: Holger Reithinger, Ph.D.



  • AM Pharma B.V.


    Rumpsterweg 6
    3981 AK Bunnik
    The Netherlands
    CEO: Erik van den Berg, MSc, MBA

    Phone  + 31 30 228 9222
    Fax  + 31 30 228 9220
    www.am-pharma.com

    AM Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company developing a novel recombinant human alkaline phosphatase for treatments of severe inflammatory mediated diseases.  Alkaline Phosphatase plays a key role as an anti inflammatory agent in various disease pathways.  The Company’s lead programs are for Acute Kidney Injury and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

    Forbion contact: Bart Bergstein MSc



  • Amakem N.V.


    BioVille, Agoralaan bldg. A bis
    3590 Diepenbeek
    Belgium
    CEO: Mr. Jack Elands

    Phone  +32 11 286-982
    Fax  +32 11 490-209
    www.amakem.com

    Amakem is a kinase platform company focusing on ophthalmology and is developing new treatments for serious eye conditions. The Company's lead candidate, AMA0076, targets glaucoma, a condition which damages the optic nerve resulting in vision loss and ultimately blindness.

    Forbion contact: G-J Mulder, MD



  • arGEN-X B.V.


    Willemstraat 5
    4811 AH Breda
    The Netherlands
    CEO: Tim van Hauwermeiren, MSc, EMBA

    Phone  +31 10 70 38 441
    Fax  +31 10 70 38 440
    www.argen-x.com

    ArGEN-X focuses on the discovery and development of human antibodies using its proprietary SIMPLE Antibody (TM) platform. The platform generates a limitless source of extremely high quality human antibodies that modulate the function of disease targets, including complex receptors and highly conserved targets, that are not possible to generate with other antibody technologies. The Lead antibodies generated are further differentiated through enhancement of their cell killing properties (Potelligent® technology) and circulation time in the body (NHance™ technology). arGEN-X’s portfolio consists of novel programs addressing oncology, autoimmune and inflammation indications.

    Forbion contact: Christina Takke Ph.D.



  • Argos Therapeutics, Inc.


    4233 Technology Drive
    Durham, NC 27704
    USA
    CEO: Jeff Abbey

    Phone  +1 (919) 287-6300
    www.argostherapeutics.com

    Argos is focused on the treatment of metastatic cancers and chronic infections using a proprietary platform technology that stimulates immune cells with messenger RNA. The  company’s lead product is for the personalized treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma and is in phase III clinical development. A secondproduct for therapeutic vaccination in HIV is in phase II development. Argos has also developed an interferon-neutralizing antibody for Systemic lupus and has developed a CD83 Soluble Protein for Transplant Rejection/Autoimmune Disorders in late preclinical development.

    Forbion contact: Sander van Deventer MD Ph.D.



  • bluebirdbio, Inc.


    840 Memorial Drive
    Cambridge, MA 02139
    U.S.A.
    CEO: Nick Leshly

    Phone  +1 617 491 5601
    www.bluebirdbio.com

    bluebird bio is developing innovative gene therapies for severe genetic disorders from a broadly applicable gene therapy platform. bluebird bio has two later stage clinical products in development for childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CCALD) and beta-thalassemia/ sickle cell anemia. The company was formerly known as Genetix Pharmaceuticals

    Forbion contact: G-J Mulder, MD



  • Cardoz AB


    Kornhamnstorg 53
    SE-111 27 Stockholm
    Sweden
    CEO: Carl-Johan Dalsgaard

    Phone  +46 856 630 173
    www.cardoz.com

    Cardoz AB, founded in 2006, is a Stockholm-based pharmaceutical company exploring new medical approaches to treat vascular diseases such as abdominal aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis. The lead anti-inflammatory product targets inflammation and dilatation of the abdominal aorta, and is in phase II clinical development.

    Forbion contact: Sander van Deventer MD Ph.D.



  • Cellnovo, Ltd.


    Ethos, Kings Road
    Swansea, SA1 8AS
    United Kingdom
    CEO: Eric Beard, Executive Chairman

    Phone  +44 203 058 1250
    www.cellnovo.com

    Cellnovo is a medtech company developing a next generation insulin pump system.  The pump is a small sized, precise patch pump that wireressly communicates with a iPhone like controller.  The controller has a built in Lifescan blood glucose meter. All key data like insulin delivery, BG readings and activity are automatically transferred via mobile network to a central database.  Patients and caregivers (physicians and parents of diabetic children) can access this database for advice and monitoring. The iPhone like controller, the mobile connectivity and web based access to the data make this an extremely efficient and user friendly e-Health system.

    Forbion contact: Bart Bergstein MSc



  • Circulite, Inc.


    U.S.A.
    CEO: Paul J. Southworth

    Phone  +1 201 543 2430
    www.circulite.net

     

    CircuLite is developing disruptive solutions to improve the treatment of chronic heart failure. The Company's minimally invasive circulatory support systems are intended to work in conjunction with the heart to enhance clinical outcomes and improve quality of life for patients and their families. SYNERGY is a miniature ventricular support system that offers the potential of a new minimally invasive treatment option for patients with chronic heart failure who are not responding to standard medical care. SYNERGY received CE Mark approval in Europe in September 2012.

     

    Forbion contact: Martien van Osch MSc



  • Curetis AG


    Max-Eyth-Strasse 42
    71088 Holzgerlingen
    Germany
    CEO: Oliver Schacht, PhD

    Phone  +49 7031 491950
    www.curetis.com

    Curetis AG is a molecular diagnostic company focusing on the development and commercialization of a universal molecular diagnostics solution for easy-to-use, fast and reliable molecular disease testing. The lead product is the Unyvero P50 Pneumonia Cartridge (CE mark 2012) that provides a single diagnostic for the detection of, bacteria and antibiotic resistance.

    Forbion contact: Holger Reithinger, Ph.D.



  • Cytheris SA


    175, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau
    92138 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex
    France
    CEO: Damian Marron

    Phone  +33 1 5888 3800
    www.cytheris.com

    Cytheris is a biopharmaceutical company developing a human recombinant Interleukin 7 (IL-7) for the treatment of diseases that are caused by lymphopenia (low lymphocytes).  IL-7 is a critical growth for the stimulation and expansion of a broad repertoire of T cells and is required for normal immune system function.  The lead indications are Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) and HIV-Immune Non Responders (HIV-INR).

    Forbion contact: Bart Bergstein MSc



  • Dezima Pharma


    Naarden
    The Netherlands
    CEO: Sander van Deventer

    Phone  +31 35 699 3000

    Dezima Pharma develops novel compounds to treat cardiovascular disease related to dyslipidemia. Its lead compound is a potentially best-in-class CETP inhibitor currently in mid-stage clinical development.

    Forbion contact: Marco Boorsma, Ph.D.



  • Exosome Diagnostics


    Lasker Biomedical Research Building
 Columbia University Medical Center

    3960 Broadway
 New York NY 10032
    U.S.A.
    CEO: James McCullough

    Phone  +1 646 843 4945
    www.exosomedx.com

    Exosome is a diagnostics company developing exosome-based minimally-invasive, body fluid molecular diagnostics commercializing in vitro diagnostic tests for use in companion diagnostic applications and real-time monitoring of oncologic, metabolic and other diseases. Lead program in prostate cancer.

    Forbion contact: G-J Mulder, MD



  • gIcare pharma Inc.


    2202 Oxford
    Montréal, Québec, H4A 2X8
    Canada
    CEO: Maxime Ranger

    Phone  +1 514 508 7014
    www.gicarepharma.com

    gIcare Pharma develops an innovative, orally-administered drug, GIC-1001, which provides colonic analgesia without the limitations and disadvantages of currently used agents. This new chemical entity is an opioid agonist capable of releasing hydrogen sulphide (H2S), a gaseous mediator providing multiple beneficial pharmacological effects. GIC-1001’s opioid agonist moiety induces viscerosensitivity modulation and exerts antinociceptive effects, which reduces the perception of pain caused by mechanical stimuli in the colon, such as colorectal distension and spasms.

    Forbion contact: Sander van Deventer MD Ph.D.



  • Hookipa Biotech GmbH


    Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2
    1030 Vienna
    Austria
    CEO: Katherine Cohen, PhD

    Phone  +43 660 4923660

    Hookipa develops a new generation of vaccines that target diseases for which vaccination is not effective to date. It has developed the The Vaxwave™ technology, a platform based on replication-defective viral vectors. The platform has become recognized as one of the most promising new strategies for next generation vaccines due to its unique strength for stimulating both potent B cell and T cell immune responses. Vaxwave™ has been validated in various disease models and has the potential of opening the field to a wide range of applications including persistent viral infections and cancer.

    Forbion contact: Sander van Deventer MD Ph.D.



  • Insmed, Inc.


    9 Deer Park Drive, Suite C
    Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
    U.S.A.
    CEO: Will Lewis

    Phone  +1 732 438 9434
    www.insmed.com

    Insmed Incorporated (NASDAQ: INSM) is a biopharmaceutical developing a proprietary advanced liposomal pulmonary technology in areas of high unmet need with site-specific treatment of serious lung diseases in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Its lead compound ARIKACE® (liposomal amikacin for inhalation) is currently conducting a phase three registration study (in Europe and Canada) in patients with CF and a phase 2 trial in patients with NTM.

    Forbion contact: G-J Mulder, MD



  • Mitralign, Inc.


    U.S.A.
    CEO: Rick Geoffrion

    Phone  +1 (978) 863 2400
    Fax  +1 (978) 858 0160
    www.mitralign.com

    Designs and develops percutaneous transcatheter devices for the treatment of mitral valve regurgitation (a significant factor in congestive heart failure.)

    Forbion contact: Martien van Osch MSc



  • NovoGI, Inc.


    U.S.A.
    CEO: Gavriel Meron

    Phone  +1-866-295-7125
    www.novoGI.com

    novoGI is committed to advancing patient care by providing an expanding range of comprehensive solutions for gastrointestinal disease management. The LARATM is the company’s lead product, recently showcased at ASCRS 2012. It is a nitinol-based compression anastomosis device that reconnects the colon after resection. Over 10,000 operations have been performed using novoGI’s clinically proven proprietary technology. With more than 50 peer-reviewed publications the product’s ease of use, healing processes, and successful outcomes in regard to leak rates has been clinically substantiated.

    Forbion contact: Avi Molcho MD MBA



  • Oxyrane, Ltd.


    Greenheys Manchester Science Park, 10 Pencroft Way
    Manchester M15 6JJ
    United Kingdom
    CEO: Michael Campbell

    Phone  +44 161 227 8887
    www.oxyrane.com

    Oxyrane develops enzyme replacement therapies (ERT) for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs). By applying its proprietary robust and scalable glyco-engineering yeast platform, Oxyrane produces human lysosomal enzymes containing appropriate sugar structures, which enables superior product uptake and localization resulting in greater efficacy at lower product doses.

    Forbion contact: Sander Slootweg MSc



  • PanGenetics B.V.


    Yalelaan 46
    3584 CM Utrecht
    The Netherlands
    CEO: Mark de Boer

    Phone  +31 30 253 7911
    www.pangenetics.com

    PanGenetics is a clinical stage company developing  therapeutic antibodies in the field of chronic inflammation. Its lead program is a fully humanized  anti-CD40 antibody.

    Forbion contact: G-J Mulder, MD



  • Pieris AG


    Lise-Meitner-Strasse 30
    85354 Freising-Weihenstephan
    Germany
    CEO: Stephen S. Yoder, J.D.

    Phone  +49 8161 14 11 400
    Fax  +49 8161 14 11 444
    www.pieris-ag.com

    Pieris AG is an independent, clinical-staged biotechnology company advancing its proprietary Anticalin® technology to create differentiated drugs that are safer and more effective than conventional approaches. Exclusive to Pieris, Anticalin-based drugs promise to address high-unmet medical needs and expand the therapeutic potential of current targeted approaches. Pieris’ pipeline ranges from its lead compound, PRS-050 (anti-VEGF, oncology) that recently completed a Phase I clinical trial, to multiple Anticalins in preclinical development across a range of therapeutic areas. To date, the company has signed four discovery and development collaborations: Daiichi Sankyo, Takeda San Francisco, the Sanofi Group and Allergan.

    Forbion contact: Christina Takke Ph.D.



  • PneumRx


    Mountain View / Munich
    U.S.A / Germany
    CEO: Erin McGurk

    www.pneumrx.com

     

    PneumRx, Inc. is a medical device company located in Mountain View, California, and Munich, Germany.  PneumRx was founded in 2004 with the aim of meeting the significant market need for better, minimally invasive treatments for emphysema patients. The PneumRx RePneu LVRC is CE Marked and commercialised in Europe. The LVRC is not available for sale or use in the United States.

     

    Forbion contact: Martien van Osch MSc



  • Promedior, Inc.


    371 Phoenixville Pike
    Malvern, PA 19355
    U.S.A.
    CEO: Suzanne Bruhn, PhD

    Phone  +1 (610) 560 1435
    www.promedior.com

    Promedior, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of fibrotic and inflammatory diseases. Promedior is developing drugs to address the most severe and difficult-to-treat fibrotic and inflammatory conditions of the eye, lung and kidney such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and dry eye disease, pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma and acute and chronic nephropathy.

    Forbion contact: G-J Mulder, MD



  • Provesica, Ltd.


    United Kingdom
    CEO: Tim Brears, PhD

    Phone  +44 (0)1223 493900
    Fax  +44 (0)1223 493901

    Provesica is a clinical-stage company developing a novel therapeutic approach to overactive bladder, an area of significant unmet medical need. The Company’s development compound, XEN-D0501, targets a well-established, but not yet exploited mechanism for overactive bladder, and is about to start Phase two clinical development.

    Forbion contact: Sander Slootweg MSc



  • Pulmagen Therapeutics, Ltd.


    United Kingdom


    Phone  +44 (0)1753 251348

    Pulmagen’s clinical and preclinical pipeline of therapies for chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD, asthma and cystic fibrosis delivers both symptomatic relief (bronchodilators) and a disease modifying effect (anti-inflammatory).

    Forbion contact: Sander Slootweg MSc



  • Santaris Pharma A/S


    Kogle Allé 6
    2970 Hørsholm
    Denmark
    CEO: Hendrik Stage, MSc

    Phone  +45 4517 9800
    www.santaris.com

    Santaris is developing treatments for oncology, based on proprietary third generation RNA chemistry. Santaris’ broad pipeline consists of multiple products in various stages of clinical and preclinical development in cancer, infectious disease and metabolic disorders.

    Forbion contact: Martien van Osch MSc



  • uniQure


    Meibergdreef 61
    1105 BA Amsterdam
    The Netherlands
    CEO: Jörn Aldag, PhD

    Phone  +31 20 566 7394
    www.uniqure.com

    uniQure is a world leader in the research and early development of human gene based therapies. uniQure has obtained market authorization for Glybera (a gene therapy treatment for lipoprotein lipase deficiency) in Europe and has a product pipeline of several gene therapies in development: hemophilia B, acute intermittent porphyria, Parkinson’s disease and Sanfilippo. uniQure is the world leader for manufacturing of AAV-based products on a commercial scale, meeting cGMP requirements, and has extensive experience in the regulatory processes for gene therapies.

    Forbion contact: Sander Slootweg MSc



  • Xention, Ltd.


    United Kingdom
    CEO: Tim Brears, PhD

    Phone  +44 (0)1223 493900
    Fax  +44 (0)1223 493901
    www.xention.com

    Xention is developing novel therapies for the treatment of atrial fibrillation using its proprietary platform of ion channel drug discovery and development. The Company is developing drug candidates that modulate two novel, but well characterised, ion channels and expects to develop breakthrough products in this area of huge unmet medical need.

    Forbion contact: Sander Slootweg MSc



  • Abiomed


    Abiomed (NASDAQ: ABMD) is a pioneer and global leader in healthcare technology and innovation, focused on developing ground-breaking technologies designed to assist or replace the life-sustaining pumping function of the failing heart. Its main product, the IMPELLA, which is a minimally invasive ventricle assist device, was obtained through the acquisition of Impella Cardiosystems in 2005.

    Sale of listed shares in 2008.



  • Acadia Pharmaceuticals


    ACADIA Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative treatments that address unmet medical needs in neurological and related central nervous system disorders.

    Sale of listed shares in 2010.



  • Accelerated Technologies


    A unique partnership model for the creation and acceleration of cardiovascular devices into the market.



  • Acorda Therapeutics


    www.acorda.com

    Acorda is a biotechnology company that develops and markets therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI) and other disorders of the nervous system. Acorda's lead marketed products are Ampyra(dalfampridine) and ZanaflexCapsules (tizanidine hydrochloride) and its pipeline is focused on the treatment, regeneration and repair of the spinal cord and brain.

    Sale of listed shares in 2006.



  • AMT N.V.


    The Netherlands


    www.amtbiopharma.com

    Following the acquisition of the assets and certain liabilities of AMT by uniQure BV, AMT's legal entity will be liquidated and delisted. Please refer to uniQure.



  • Alantos Pharmaceuticals


    Developing 'best in class' small molecule drugs for Type II diabetes and Osteoarthritis/inflammation based diseases. Apart from the lead product (DPPIV inhibitor in phase I clinical trials) Alantos had 5 programs in various stages of preclinical development.

    Alantos Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Amgen in 2007 for US$ 300 million.



  • Ardana


    Combined an in-licencing and M&A driven strategy to commercialize research carried out by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Reproductive Sciences Unit (HRSU) in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Ardana’s lead compound Teverellix was in phase IIa development for BPH and endometriosis. The company was listed on LSE but was unable to successfully develop its compounds.

    Operations were discontinued in 2008.



  • Bioceros B.V.


    Bioceros is a biotech company offering services on early pre-clinical development of recombinant proteins, with an emphasis on monoclonal antibodies.

    FCP sold its stake in a buyout transaction.



  • Biovex


    BioVex (a subsidiary of Amgen) based in Woburn, MA, USA and Abingdon, UK develops biologics for solid tumours and prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases.  The Company’s lead program, an oncolytic vaccine, is completing Phase III testing for metastatic melanoma (study fully enrolled). Amgen acquired BioVex in March 2011 for up to $1bn ($425m upfront). 



  • Borean Pharma


    Uses two technology platforms to identify and produce low cost molecular binders based on naturally occurring human proteins. In addition, Borean develops a proprietary technology that enables multimerization of therapeutic proteins. Borean's lead product is a trimeric Apoliprotein A1 undergoing preclinical trials for plaque reduction in atherosclerosis. Borean also has further research programmes in Crohn's disease, HIV and cancer.

    Sale of assets to Roche in 2006.

     



  • Cell Based Delivery


    CBD developed gene and cell therapy products with focus on delivery of FVIII bloodclotting proteins.

    Discontinuation of operations in 2004.



  • Crucell


    The original investment was made in UbiSys, an antibody discovery company, which merged with Introgen to form Crucell, now a vaccine company.

    At the time of IPO in 2000, Crucell provided a powerful platform for the generation of antibodies together with a proprietary validated next generation human expression system (PER-C-6).  The company was listed in 2000.  Forbion sold its shares in 2004.



  • Flowmedica


    Flowmedica has developed novel, proprietary, minimally invasive intravascular systems for implementing targeted renal therapy. Three infusion systems have been developed and provide an alternative to the standard delivery methods of systemic intravenous infusion to address kidney dysfunction related to a number of diseases.

    The assets of the company were sold to AngioDynamics in 2009.



  • Fovea


    Developing and commercializing drugs for the treatment of ocular diseases, with a special focus on retinal pathologies. Fovea has multiple clinical programs ongoing in retinal degeneration, macular edema, glaucoma, and inflammation. 

    Fovea was acquired by Sanofi-aventis in 2009 for up to EUR 390 million.



  • Galapagos


    Forbion's initial investment was in Cambridge Drug Discovery (CDD), which was sold to Biofocus which in turn was sold to Galapagos. CDD focus was on discovery of novel small molecules against a variety of CNS targets. Galapagos operates service and in-house drug discovery divisions. 

    Sale of listed shares in 2006.



  • Gho Holding


    Company developed a proprietary vanadium salt (BMOV) that showed promising properties in the reduction of reperfusion damage in muscle cells (ACI) and skin tissue (burn wounds).  Prime indication was in ACI.  Pre-clinical development revealed safety issues after which the program was discontinued.



  • Glycart


    Switzerland


    GLYCART biotechnology AG was active in the research and development of engineered antibody-based products with higher efficacy for the treatment of unmet clinical needs such as cancer.

    GLYCART biotechnology AG was acquired by Roche in 2005 for CHF 230 million.



  • Impella Cardiosystems


    Aachen
    Germany


    Impella Cardiosystems developed a small ventricular assist device for temporary support in hospital setting.

    Impella has been acquired by Abiomed in 2004.



  • Jari Pharmaceuticals


    Discovery and development of immunosuppresive drugs from a proprietary library of (proteins from) pathogens.

    Both lead programs encountered safety issues during the pre-clinical development after which the operations were discontinued in 2003.



  • Ness Ltd


    External splint for the functional electrical stimulation of the nerves in partially paralyzed patients. Ness is now part of Bioness and changed its name to Bioness Neuromodulation.

    Shares sold in 2005.



  • NeuTec Pharma Ltd


    Discovery and development of antibodies (fragments) against fungal and bacterial infections derived from patients that cleared a fungal infection. Neutec went public in 2002 and was acquired by Novartis Pharma in 2006.

    Sale of listed shares in 2004.



  • Pathway Medical Technologies


    Developed innovative medical devices for the treatment of arterial diseases with an initial focus on peripheral artery disease (PAD).

    Pathway was acquired by MEDRAD, Inc., a Bayer Healthcare subsidiary, in 2011.

    Forbion contact: Forbion announces acquisition of Pathway Medical Technologies by Bayer Healthcare



  • Rhein Biotech


    Recombinant production of vaccines and other proteins using a novel yeast system (Hansenula polymorpha). The company became public in 2000 after which ABN AMRO Life Sciences (predecessor of Forbion) financed the acquisition of Korea Green Cross Vaccine Corp.  This triggered a substantial growth in the value of the company and therefore the stock price appreciated substantially.  We sold our stake in the public market in 2001.



  • Transave


    Forbion Capital Partners co-led Transave's Series B round in December 2002.
     
    In 2010, the company merged with Insmed Inc. (NASDAQ INSM).



  • X-Cell Medical


    Integrated drug eluting stent (DES) company developing next-generation solutions for restenosis and other cardiovascular clinical applications. X-Cell’s lead program uses 17-ß-estradiol on DES which enhances endothelial growth to help combat sub-acute thrombosis.

    Share buy back in 2007.