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NGN BioMed Opportunity I
In 2006, NGN Capital led a $39 million Series A financing of Artisan Pharma, Inc., a spin-out from Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation (AKP) of Japan. In November 2011, Artisan acquired all shares in Artisan Pharma, Inc., making it a wholly owned subsidiary. Artisan was renamed Asahi Kasei Pharma America Corp. (AKP America)
Artisan Pharma, is focused on developing and commercializing products in critical care and hospital-based markets. As part of the financing, AKP has licensed a late-stage clinical development biologic, ART-123, to Artisan. ART-123 is a novel, recombinant, soluble, human thrombomodulin being developed for the treatment of DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) in sepsis and DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
In November 2011, Artisan was acquired by Asahi Kasei Pharma.
Artisan is located in Waltham, MA
Horizon Pharma is a specialty pharmaceutical company which was created through a merger of Horizon Therapeutics and Nitec Pharma (a previous NGN investment): The company focuses on the development and commercialization of treatments for arthritis, pain and inflammation and has two late stage products. Duexa has been filed in the US, Lodotra successfully completed a US Ph III trials and is already approved in several European countries and marketed by Merck Serono. in Germany.
Dr. Peter Johann, Managing General Partner at NGN Capital is a member of the Board of Directors of Horizon Pharma.
In July 2011, Horizon Pharma completed an initial public offering on the Nasdaq.
Horizon Pharma, Inc. is located in Northbrook, IL.
NGN Capital led a $32 million PIPE financing of Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Javelin is a specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on the growing pain management market with three late stage products in Phase III clinical development or in the regulatory filing process. One of these products, Dyloject®, the first bolus injectable diclofenac formulation, has been approved for sale in the UK. Javelin has submitted Dyloject for European Marketing Authorization Application (MAA). Dyloject™ is posed to fill the void created by the stumbling of COX-2 inhibitors in both EU and US markets with a non-selective COX inhibitor. Combined with its Phase II / III PMI-150 (intranasal ketamine) and Rylomine™ (intranasal morphine) products, Javelin is building an exciting franchise in the moderate-to-severe and breakthrough pain markets.
In July, 2010, Javelin was acquired by Hospira, Inc.
Javelin Pharmaceuticals is located in New York, NY.
NGN Capital led the € 15.5 million Series B second closing following the € 31 million intial round, for a total € 46.5 million Series B financing of Jerini, AG. Jerini went public in November, 2005.
Jerini is a late stage biopharmaceutical company that has completed Phase III clinical trials of Icatibant for the treatment of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE). HAE is a debilitating, potentially life-threatening disease caused by attacks of swelling in the face, throat, abdomen and other parts of the body. Jerini is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of peptide derived (peptidomimetic) and small molecule therapeutics and has a deep pipeline of preclinical products from its Peptide-to-Drugs platform.
In August of 2008, Jerini was acquired by Shire Pharmaceuticals, plc.
Jerini is located in Berlin, Germany.
NGN Capital invested $8 million in a PIPE transaction in Micromet Inc.
Micromet, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of novel, proprietary antibody-based products for cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Two product candidates are currently in clinical trials. Adecatumumab (MT 210), a recombinant human monoclonal antibody, is being evaluated in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of patients with breast cancer and prostate cancer. MT103 (MEDI-538), a BiTE® product candidate, is being studied in a Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Micromet has established a drug development platform based on its BiTE® technology, a unique, antibody-based format that leverages the cytotoxic potential of T-cells, the most powerful “killer cells” of the human immune system. Micromet has established collaborations with MedImmune, Serono and Enzon.
In March 2012, Micromet was acquired by Amgen.
Micromet is located in Bethesda, MD
In July 2010, The Carlyle Group, NGN Capital and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe entered into a definitive agreement to sell Multiplan to BC Partners and Silver Lake for $3.1 billion. BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays Capital and Credit Suisse provided the debt financing for the transaction. Multiplan is a provider of healthcare cost management solutions and was acquired by Carlyle and NGN Capital in a $1.04 billion LBO in 2006.
NGN Capital led a $6.75M Series A financing of PIN Pharma, Inc.
PIN Pharma, Inc. has developed a novel class of immunotherapeutics predicated upon a unique mode of action which has utility in oncology and other indications. Its lead compound has demonstrated exceptional preclinical data and safety profile in a very aggressive cancer mouse model. PIN Pharma will iniatiate human clinical trials inn 4Q 2017.
William Gedale, Senior Advisor to NGN Capital serves as chairman and member of the board of directors, respectively.
PIN Pharma, Inc. is located in New York, NY
NGN Capital led a $36 million Series B financing of OptiScan Biomedical Corporation, an innovative diagnostic equipment company.
OptiScan is focused on further developing and commercializing its system for continuously measuring blood glucose and other analytes in order to support tight glycemic control. Tight glycemic control has been shown in various clinical studies to improve outcomes for hospital patients in intensive care.
Kenneth S. Abramowitz, Managing General Partner of NGN Capital, holds a seat on the board of directors.
OptiScan is based in Hayward, CA.
NGN Capital led the Series B financing (€ 43 million) and pre-IPO rounds of Santhera Pharmaceuticals AG. Santhera went public in November, 2006.
Santhera is a late stage specialty pharmaceutical company with a neuromuscular disease focus. Santhera is in Phase III clinical development in the US and in the Marketing Authorization Application process in Europe for idebenone for the treatment of cardiomyopathy related to Friedreich’s Ataxia. Additional indications for idebenone are in Phase II, including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON).
Santhera has valuable pharma/biotech marketing/development partnerships in Dyskinesia in Parkinson’s Disease, Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD), and in type II diabetes.
Santhera Pharmaceuticals is located in Liestal, Switzerland.
In 2015, NGN exited its position in Santhera.
NGN Capital led a $10 million Series D financing of Sightline Technologies Ltd., an innovative medical device company located in the Advanced Technology Center in Haifa, Israel. Sightline is focused on commercializing and further developing the FDA-cleared ColonoSight® system, a colonoscope with a disposable ColonoSleeve® tube and sheath, which is used for diagnosing and treating abnormalities in the large intestine.
The company’s advanced disposable technology potentially improves safety and speed relative to traditional colonoscopy systems, while the protective sheath places a disposable barrier between the patient, the scope, and the physician.
In March, 2006, Sightline was acquired by Stryker Corporation.
Sightline Technologies is located in Haifa, Israel.