Aclara Biosciences
Mountain View, CA
Nasdaq: MGRM
IPO raised $189 million in 2000. Merged with ViroLogic in 2004 and later renamed Monogram Biosciences
Biochip company developing microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technology with applications for genetic analysis, high-throughput drug screening and clinical diagnostics. Aclara has established several corporate partnerships, including a collaboration with PE BioSystems.
Arena Pharmaceuticals
San Diego, CA
Nasdaq: ARNA
IPO raised $108 million in 2000
Biopharmaceutical company that has developed a technology to accelerate the development of lead compounds targeting G-protein coupled receptors. This core technology, called CART, allows for ligand-independent, direct identification of small molecule compounds that regulate the activity of G-protein coupled receptors. Arena has entered into several research and licensing agreements, including a collaboration with Eli Lilly.
Cerexa
Alameda, CA
Cerexa, Inc. was formed in 2005 as a spin-out from Peninsula Pharmaceuticals to focus on acquiring, developing, and commercializing hospital-based anti-infective therapies for the treatment of patients with serious, life-threatening infections. In early 2007, Forest Laboratories acquired Cerexa for $483 million in cash plus a potential $100-million payment in the event that U.S. product sales of Cerexa’s lead antibiotic, Ceftaroline, exceed $500 million during any twelve-month period within the first five years following product launch.
EBM Solutions
Nashville, TN
Acquired by HealthGate Data Corp. in 2003
Evidence-based medical solutions provider that partners high-quality health and medical information with ongoing monitoring and analysis of healthcare organizations' online initiatives. HealthGate's consumer health information is URAC-accredited and the evidence-based clinical guidelines are backed by independent medical review support through affiliations with Duke University Medical Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
NuVasive
San Diego, CA
Nasdaq: NUVA
IPO raised $72 million in 2004
Medical device company that designs, manufactures and markets minimally invasive spine surgery systems. Its FDA-approved system allows the surgeon to perform common open spine operations through small incisions with a proprietary, easy-to-use guidance system. NuVasive raised $72 million in a May 2004 IPO.
Panacos Pharmaceuticals
Watertown, MA
Nasdaq: PANC
Merged with V.I. Technologies in 2005
Panacos is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule drugs to treat or prevent serious infectious disease. The Company has an expanding pipeline of promising anti-infective drug candidates for major markets with significant, unmet medical needs. The Company's lead antiviral product is PA-457, the first in a new class of drugs to treat HIV infection discovered by Panacos scientists currently in Phase 2 clinical trials.
Peninsula Pharmaceuticals
Alameda, CA
Acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2005
Pharmaceutical development company focused on in-licensing and developing clinical stage pharmaceutical products. Initially, the company is pursuing opportunities that treat infectious diseases, a category that is attractive because of the high probability of clinical success following Phase I, lower development costs, and shorter clinical development timelines. Peninsula has licensing agreements in place with Shionogi & Co. and with Takeda Chemical Industries.
Reprogenesis
Cambridge, MA
Nasdaq: CRIS
Merged with Ontogeny and Creative BioMolecules to form Curis in 2000
Company developing in vivo tissue augmentation/repair products. Reprogenesis merged in July 2000 with Creative Biomolecules and Ontogeny to form Curis, a public company focused on regenerative medicine. Curis is developing products that are designed to recreate the conditions that support the growth of cells and tissue.
Syntonix Pharmaceuticals
Waltham, MA
Syntonix, Inc. was founded in 1999 to discover and develop novel therapeutic proteins for treatment of chronic diseases such as hemophilia, anemia, multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune disorders. Biogen Idec acquired Syntonix in early 2007 for $120 million, including an up front payment of $40 million and milestone payments of up to an additional $80 million based on clinical progress of the lead compound.
Variagenics
Cambridge, MA
Nasdaq: NUVO
IPO raised $70 million in 2000. Merged with Hyseq Pharmaceuticals to form Nuvelo in 2003
Pharmacogenomics company with proprietary gene variance detection technology anticipated to streamline drug development. The company identifies clinically relevant variants in genes that affect drug action and applies this information to the design of clinical trials.
X-Ceptor Therapeutics
San Diego, CA
Nasdaq: EXEL
Acquired by Exelixis in 2004
Genomics-based drug discovery company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics across various therapy areas. The company is leveraging its fully integrated gene-to-drug platform to fuel the growth of its proprietary drug pipeline. Exelixis' development pipeline currently covers cancer and metabolism. Pappas Ventures I was part of the founding investor group that originally invested in X-Ceptor Therapeutics, Inc., which was acquired in October 2004 by Exelixis, Inc.