Welcome to Seroba's November 2019 newsletter. In this issue we focus on science, entrepreneurship and funding for innovatiion.
In the News - Endotronix
Endotronix has been much in the news lately. The company closed an extended Series D financing round in October providing capital to fund the company to FDA approval. Read more.
They also announced an Enterprise Ireland industry partnership with Tyndall National Institute in Ireland, which hit the news here.
Following FDA approval to begin its Pivotal trial for Cordella™, Endotronix enrolled its first patient in the Sirona II study. Positive data from the study, which was carried out at two sites in Belgium and Galway, Ireland, has just been announced. Read more.
Meet the Entrepreneur
In this new series of interviews, we will meet some of the entrepreneurs heading up Seroba's portfolio companies. We'll find out a little about their backgrounds and vision and hope to discover just what persuades someone to embark on the life of an entrepreneur.
In this issue we chat to John Valliant, CEO of Fusion Pharmaceuticals. Read more.
Top Ten
PQ Bypass received Unconditional IDE Approval from the FDA to Start their TORUS SFA Stent Graft Pivotal Study (TORUS-2). TORUS-2 is the second Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approved for the company in less than two years. Read more.
Within a month, PQ Bypass reported the first patient enrollment in the study. No wonder the company has made Medtech Outlook Magazine's list of 'Top Ten CardioVascular Device Companies 2019'.
Best New Electronic Product 2019
One of Seroba's portfolio companies recently won the top prize for 'New Electronic Product of the year 2019' at the British Engineering Excellence Awards. No prizes for guessing.... who won?
Irish Times Innovation of the Year
Over 100 impressive companies took part in the 'Irish Times Innovation of the Year Awards' this year, but in the end it was Global Product Manager, Danny Forde, who proudly accepted the overall prize on behalf of Seroba's portfolio company, Galway-based Atlantic Therapeutics. Read more.
Within two weeks the company was up on stage once again to accept another award. This time our own Daniel O'Mahony was proud to be with the Atlantic Therapeutics team when the winner was announced at the Lifestar Awards in London. Read more.
Nobel Laureate Visits Dublin
The Royal Irish Academy on Dawson Street in Dublin recently hosted a lecture by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Tom Cech. This impressive Professor from the University of Colorado, Boulder, is Scientific Advisor to Seroba's portfolio company, Storm Therapeutics, so we joined the crowd that gathered at the RIA to listen to his words of wisdom. Read more.
Seroba Leads Irish Diversity Initiative
Jennifer McMahon took the lead in the establishment of an Irish Chapter of Level 20 which was launched last month. Level 20 is a pan-European industry association whose aim is to deliver greater representation for women at all levels in the private equity industry with the goal of having 20% of senior roles held by women.
The very well-attended launch was addressed by Jeryl Andrew, CEO of Level 20, who is based in the UK; by Sarah-Jane Larkin, Director General of the Irish Venture Capital Association; and by Jennifer.
Many top firms in the industry attended the Dublin event, but if you missed it, or would like to start a Level 20 chapter where you are, then watch this 3-min video to find out more about Level 20 or join here.
Meet the Seroba Team Out and About
Meet us at these upcoming events:
- Alan O'Connell will be at Medtech Rising in Galway on December 4-5, 2019.
- Seroba is a major sponsor of Medtech Strategist's Innovation Summit 2020 which is being held at Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel on April 21-23.
- Seroba is also involved in helping to organise BioEquity Europe 2020. This will be the first time Ireland will host this key showcase for European biotech. Join us at Dublin's Convention Centre on May 11-12.
- Alan O'Connell will at the Neurodegenerative Drug Development Summit in Boston from February 25-27, 2020.
- Bruno Montanari will be at Bio-Europe Spring in Paris from March 23-25, 2020.