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# Rivervest

A Life Science Venture Capital

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://rivervest.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [The Orphan Drug Act of 1983 by Niall O'Donnell](https://rivervest.com/2023/06/13/expert-insight-the-orphan-drug-act-of-1983-by-niall-odonnell-ph-d/) - In this article, Managing Director Niall O’Donnell, Ph.D. discusses the law that transformed orphan drug development and how one actor’s starring role in its passage spurred 40 years of prolific, life-saving innovation.
- [CASE STUDY: Standard Bariatrics](https://rivervest.com/2023/04/24/case-study-standard-bariatrics/) - This is a case study of RiverVest's role in financing and guiding Cincinnati-based portfolio company Standard Bariatrics through acquisition by Teleflex, Inc.
- [NEWS / RiverVest Mourns Passing of Bradley T. Keller, PhD, Former RiverVest Entrepreneur-in-Residence](https://rivervest.com/2026/08/04/news-rivervest-mourns-passing-of-bradley-t-keller-phd-former-rivervest-entrepreneur-in-residence/) - July 2026 RiverVest Mourns Passing of Bradley T. Keller, PhD,Former RiverVest Entrepreneur-in-Residence Bradley T. Keller, PhD March 22, 1954 – July 30, 2026 In Memoriam With great sadness, RiverVest mourns the passing of Brad Keller, a longtime friend and colleague who served as a RiverVest entrepreneur-in-residence from 2013 to 2018. Brad brought deep scientific expertise
- [RIVERVEST NEWS:  June Newsletter](https://rivervest.com/2026/06/11/rivervest-news-june-newsletter/) - RIVERVEST NEWSLETTER June 2026 Issue RiverVest invites you to read our latest newsletter, featuring: Portfolio Company Avalyn Pharma Completes Upsized $345 Million IPO 2026 Annual Meeting RecapAtalanta Therapeutics: Reaching the Unreachable in Huntington’s Disease by Pascal Krotee, PhDPortfolio News RiverVest News
- [Atalanta Therapeutics: Reaching the Unreachable in Huntington's Disease](https://rivervest.com/2026/05/14/atalanta-therapeutics-reaching-the-unreachable-in-huntingtons-disease/) - / EXPERT INSIGHTS Atalanta Therapeutics: Reaching the Unreachable in Huntington’s Disease by Pascal Krotee, PhDRiverVest Principal The promise of broad and durable gene silencing using RNA interference (May 15, 2026) Huntington’s disease (HD) has long stood as one of the most challenging neurodegenerative disorders to address therapeutically. Despite a clear genetic cause and decades of
- [RIVERVEST NEWS:  February Newsletter](https://rivervest.com/2026/02/27/rivervest-news-february-newsletter/) - RIVERVEST NEWSLETTER February 2026 Issue RiverVest invites you to read our latest newsletter, featuring: Portfolio Company Bluejay Therapeutics Acquired by Mirum PharmaceuticalsJPM 2026 Recap: Signals are Getting ClearerRiverVest Scientific Advisor Alessandro Sette to Receive Prestigious Immunology AwardCould Excess Cortisol Be Driving Type 2 Diabetes Resistance?Portfolio News
- [Portfolio Company Bluejay Therapeutics to be Acquired by Mirum Pharmaceuticals](https://rivervest.com/2025/12/09/portfolio-company-bluejay-therapeutics-to-be-acquired-by-mirum-pharmaceuticals/) - DECEMBER 2025 Portfolio Company Bluejay Therapeutics to be Acquired by Mirum Pharmaceuticals ST. LOUIS–(December 8, 2025)— Bluejay Therapeutics – a RiverVest Venture Fund V portfolio company – has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MIRM), a former RiverVest portfolio company focusing on rare liver diseases. The transaction would add Bluejay’s
- [ANNOUNCEMENT / Teleflex to Acquire Standard Bariatrics](https://rivervest.com/2022/08/22/teleflex-to-acquire-portfolio-company-standard-bariatrics-2/) - AUG 2022 Teleflex to Acquire Portfolio Company Standard Bariatrics ST. LOUIS (August 22, 2022) Read the Press Release ST. LOUIS (August 22, 2022) – Standard Bariatrics – a RiverVest Venture Fund IV portfolio company – has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE: TFX), a global provider of medical technologies
- [JPM 2026 Recap: Signals Are Getting Clearer](https://rivervest.com/2026/02/10/jpm-2026-recap-signals-are-getting-clearer/) - / EXPERT INSIGHTS JPM 2026 Recap: Signals Are Getting Clearer by Isaac Zike, PhDManaging Director of RiverVestVenture Partners This year’s conference was familiar in tone, strengthened by substance (February 10, 2026) – Niall O’Donnell and I joined thousands of global pharmaceutical and biotech leaders, innovators, and investors in San Francisco last month for the annual
- [Year in Review 2025](https://rivervest.com/2025/12/19/year-in-review-2025/) - RiverVest Year in Review: 2025
- [RIVERVEST NEWS:  June Newsletter](https://rivervest.com/2025/02/28/rivervest-news-newsletter-template/) - RIVERVEST NEWSLETTER June 2025 Issue RiverVest invites you to read our latest newsletter, featuring: 2025 Annual Meeting RecapRiverVest Portfolio: Year in ReviewThe Sugar Fix: A New Approach to Treating a Rare Glycosylation DisorderPortfolio News RiverVest News features insights and updates on the Science, Strategy, and Innovation behind
- [With $115 Million in Hand, Biotech Startup Eyes the Finish Line](https://rivervest.com/2025/10/14/with-115-million-in-hand-biotech-startup-eyes-the-finish-line/) - Nicklaus: With $115 Million in Hand, Biotech Startup Eyes the Finish Line
- [Could Excess Cortisol Be Driving Type 2 Diabetes Resistance?](https://rivervest.com/2025/09/24/could-excess-cortisol-be-driving-type-2-diabetes-resistance/) - / EXPERT INSIGHTS Could Excess Cortisol Be Driving Type 2 Diabetes Resistance? by Niall O’Donnell, PhDManaging Director of RiverVestVenture Partners Why taming a stress hormone might be the next breakthrough in type 2 diabetes care (September 24, 2025) – Millions of people on type 2 diabetes (T2B) regimens do everything right – they take their
- [NEWS / RiverVest Mourns Passing of Ronald T. Borchardt, PhD](https://rivervest.com/2025/08/19/news-rivervest-mourns-passing-of-ronald-t-borchardt-phd/) - August 2025 RiverVest Mourns Passing of Ronald T. Borchardt, PhD,RiverVest Scientific Advisory Board Member Ronald T. Borchardt, PhD February 18, 1944 – July 15, 2025 In Memoriam With great sadness, RiverVest mourns the passing of Dr. Ronald T. Borchardt, a valued member of our scientific advisory board since 2015. Ron’s deep knowledge of medicinal chemistry
- [RiverVest Venture Partners Welcomes Brandon Cohen as Analyst](https://rivervest.com/2025/07/07/rivervest-venture-partners-welcomes-brandon-cohen-as-analyst/) - JULY 2025 RiverVest Venture Partners Welcomes Brandon Cohen as Analyst Brandon Cohen ST. LOUIS–(July 8, 2025)–Life sciences venture capital firm RiverVest Venture Partners is pleased to announce that Brandon Cohen has joined the firm as an analyst based in the St. Louis office. Cohen earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) from Washington University in
- [The Sugar Fix: A New Approach to Treating a Rare Glycosylation Disorder](https://rivervest.com/2025/05/15/the-sugar-fix-a-new-approach-to-treating-a-rare-glycosylation-disorder/) - Glycosylation is crucial to the development of healthy organs and tissues. Could replacing a missing sugar help patients with a rare glycosylation disorder improve coordination and mobility?
- [Meet the Leader: Lyn Baranowski, CEO of Avalyn Pharma](https://rivervest.com/2024/09/05/expert-insight-meet-the-leader-lyn-baranowski-ceo-of-avalyn-pharma/) - RiverVest speaks with Lyn Baranowski, CEO of portfolio company Avalyn Pharma, about who she is, what brought her to Avalyn, and what fuels her passion for building great companies.
- [RiverVest Venture Partners Welcomes Nafise Masoumi as Senior Associate](https://rivervest.com/2024/10/16/rivervest-venture-partners-welcomes-nafise-masoumi-as-senior-associate/) - OCTOBER 2024 RiverVest Venture Partners Welcomes Nafise Masoumi as Senior Associate Nafise Masoumi, PhD ST. LOUIS–(October 16, 2024)–Life sciences venture capital firm RiverVest Venture Partners today announced that Nafise Masoumi, Ph.D. has joined the firm as senior associate based in the San Diego office, where she will focus on deal sourcing, due diligence, and analysis
- [Managing Risks, Maximizing Investor Returns, by Tom Melzer](https://rivervest.com/2023/03/14/expert-insight-thomas-c-melzer-eyes-on-the-exit-2/) - In this article, Managing Director Tom Melzer breaks down RiverVest's investment strategy, which centers on managing risk and capital efficiency with one goal in mind: a successful and profitable exit that will maximize investor return.
- [Niall O'Donnell Discusses State of Biotech VC with St. Louis Business Journal](https://rivervest.com/2023/07/25/rivervests-niall-odonnell-discusses-state-of-biotech-vc-in-2023/) - July 2023 RiverVest’s Niall O’Donnell Discusses State of Biotech VC in 2023 RiverVest Managing Director Niall O’Donnell, Ph.D. ST. LOUIS, MO (July 21, 2023) – From the St. Louis Business Journal, Beyond the List: St. Louis area’s largest venture capital firms report managing $9B in capital. “Our newest List ranks the largest venture capital and
- [Mitochondrial Challenges: Innovations in Research and Patient-Centered Care](https://rivervest.com/2023/08/08/expert-insight-mitochondrial-challenges-innovations-in-research-and-patient-centered-care/) - RiverVest's latest Expert Insight explores the role of patient advocacy groups in therapeutic drug development for patients with rare diseases such as mitochondrial disease.
- [Pascal Krotee Wins Life Science Catalyst Award](https://rivervest.com/2023/11/03/in-the-news-rivervests-pascal-krotee-wins-life-science-catalyst-award/) - November 2023 RiverVest’s Pascal Krotee Wins Life Science Catalyst Award Pascal Krotee, Ph.D. RiverVest Senior Associate San Diego, CA (November 1, 2023) – Biocom California today announced the winners of its Eighth Annual Life Science Catalyst Award. RiverVest Senior Associate Pascal Krotee, Ph.D. was among 10 life science trailblazers under the age of 40 recognized
- [RiverVest Venture Partners Promotes Karen Spilizewski and Isaac Zike to Managing Director and Pascal Krotee to Principal](https://rivervest.com/2023/12/13/rivervest-news-template/) - DECEMBER 2023 RiverVest Venture Partners Promotes Karen Spilizewski and Isaac Zike to Managing Director and Pascal Krotee to Principal ST. LOUIS (December 14, 2023) ST. LOUIS, December 14, 2023 – RiverVest Venture Partners today announced the promotions of three current team members: Karen Spilizewski and Isaac Zike, Ph.D. to Managing Director and Pascal Krotee, Ph.D.
- [Global Clinical Trial Investigates Novel Heart Failure Treatment](https://rivervest.com/2024/02/26/expert-insight-global-clinical-trial-investigates-novel-heart-failure-treatment/) - RiverVest's latest Expert Insight explores the role of patient advocacy groups in therapeutic drug development for patients with rare diseases such as mitochondrial disease.
- [Portfolio Company Spotlight: Engrail Therapeutics (Anxiety Disorders)](https://rivervest.com/2024/05/22/expert-insight-engrail-therapeutics-addressing-the-need-for-safer-more-effective-medicines-to-treat-anxiety-disorders/) - For this Expert Insight, RiverVest spoke with Vikram Sudarsan, PhD, founder and CEO of Engrail Therapeutics about the significant unmet need for safer, more effective treatments for anxiety disorders and how the company's lead drug candidate, ENX-102, is addressing that need.
- [Niall O’Donnell, Ph.D. Honored by UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management’s Sullivan Center for Entrepreneurship](https://rivervest.com/2024/06/10/in-the-news-rivervests-niall-odonnell-ph-d-honored-by-uc-san-diegos-rady-school-of-managements-sullivan-center-for-entrepreneurship/) - June 2024 O’Donnell Honored for Entrepreneurial Achievement by UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management Niall O’Donnell, Ph.D. RiverVest Managing Director San Diego, CA (June 5, 2024) – UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management named Niall O’Donnell, Ph.D. (Rady MBA Class of 2006) the Sullivan Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s 2024 Entrepreneurial Achievement Award recipient. The
- [RiverVest Venture Partners Promotes Andrew Kleiboeker and Jeff Seitz](https://rivervest.com/2024/07/18/rivervest-venture-partners-announces-promotions/) - JULY 2024 RiverVest Venture Partners Announces Promotions ST. LOUIS (July 18, 2024) ST. LOUIS, July 18, 2024– RiverVest Venture Partners today announced the promotions of two members of its team. Andrew Kleiboeker has been promoted to associate, and Jeff Seitz to senior analyst. “Both Andrew and Jeff have shown exceptional analytical depth and commitment since
- [Diabetes Treatment: A Story of Complicated Progress and Great Potential](https://rivervest.com/2024/11/14/expert-insight-diabetes-treatment-a-story-of-complicated-progress-and-great-potential/) - RiverVest speaks with Lyn Baranowski, CEO of portfolio company Avalyn Pharma, about who she is, what brought her to Avalyn, and what fuels her passion for building great companies.
- [Year in Review 2024](https://rivervest.com/2024/12/19/year-in-review-2024/) - RiverVest Year in Review: 2024
- [RiverVest Welcomes John Cambier and Gary DeCrescenzo to Scientific Advisory Board](https://rivervest.com/2024/12/12/rivervest-venture-partners-expands-scientific-advisory-board-2/) - ST. LOUIS (December 12, 2024)—RiverVest Venture Partners, a leading life science venture capital firm, today announced that John C. Cambier, Ph.D., and Gary De Crescenzo have joined the firm’s Scientific Advisory Board. Composed of leaders in medical research, RiverVest’s Scientific Advisory Board provides expert guidance to the firm as it identifies and invests in promising biopharmaceutical and medical device companies.
- [Portfolio Company Spotlight: Alleviant Medical (Chronic Heart Failure)](https://rivervest.com/2025/02/12/expert-insight-alleviant/) - Learn how Alleviant's no-implant approach addresses the full spectrum of chronic heart failure.
- [CASE STUDY: Mirum Pharmaceuticals (Lumena 2.0)](https://rivervest.com/2023/01/22/mirum-pharmaceuticals-lumena-2-0/) - After the drug compound they developed was deprioritized, the Lumena team bought it back so they could finish what they started – getting kids with rare liver disease the relief they need.
- [CASE STUDY: Lumena Pharmaceuticals](https://rivervest.com/2023/02/13/case-study-lumena-pharmaceuticals/) - RiverVest co-founded and seed funded Lumena and built a clinical strategy to fast-track its lead drug compound through clinical trials.
- [CASE STUDY: GOOD THERAPEUTICS](https://rivervest.com/2023/08/03/case-study-good-therapeutics/) - This is a case study of RiverVest portfolio company Good Therapeutics, which was acquired by Roche in 2022 for $250 million upfront plus potential milestone returns.
- [NEWS / Life sciences VC RiverVest Expands Team with New Managing Director and Senior Associate](https://rivervest.com/2019/07/23/life-sciences-vc-rivervest-expands-team-with-new-managing-director-and-senior-associate/) - JULY 2019 Life sciences VC RiverVest Expands Team with New Managing Director and Senior Associate ST. LOUIS (July 23, 2019) ST. LOUIS, MO (July 23, 2019) – Life sciences venture capital firm RiverVest Venture Partners today announced the continued expansion of its team as Derek Rapp joins as managing director and Isaac Zike, Ph.D., as senior associate. Most
- [NEWS / RiverVest Mourns Passing of William A. Peck, MD](https://rivervest.com/2023/03/10/rivervest-news-william-a-peck/) - March 2023 RiverVest Mourns Passing of William A. Peck, MD,RiverVest Scientific Advisory Board Founding Member William A. Peck, MD September 28, 1933 – February 22, 2023 In Memoriam We mourn the passing of William A. Peck, MD, who as the founding member of RiverVest’s Scientific Advisory Board helped us build a strong SAB, opened doors
- [ANNOUNCEMENT / Good Therapeutics Acquired by Roche, Launches Spinout Company Bonum Therapeutics](https://rivervest.com/2022/09/07/portfolio-company-good-therapeutics-acquired-by-roche-launches-spinout-company-bonum-therapeutics/) - SEPT 2022 Portfolio Company Good Therapeutics Acquired by Roche, Launches Spinout Company Bonum Therapeutics ST. LOUIS (September 7, 2022) Read the Press Release Good Therapeutics – a RiverVest Venture Fund IV portfolio company – has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by Roche (SIX: RO, ROG;OTCQX: RHHBY) for $250 million up front
- [ANNOUNCEMENT / Amplyx Pharmaceuticals Acquired by Pfizer](https://rivervest.com/2021/04/28/portfolio-company-amplyx-pharmaceuticals-acquired-by-pfizer/) - AUG 2021 Portfolio Company Amplyx Pharmaceuticals Acquired by Pfizer ST. LOUIS (August 26, 2021) Read the Press Release NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced today that it has acquired Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held company dedicated to the development of therapies for debilitating and life-threatening diseases that affect people with compromised immune systems.
- [IN THE NEWS / What's next for RiverVest Venture Partners after raising its largest-ever investment fund](https://rivervest.com/2021/03/24/whats-next-for-rivervest-venture-partners-after-raising-its-largest-ever-investment-fund/) - MAR 2021 What’s next for RiverVest Venture Partners after raising its largest-ever investment fund ST. LOUIS (March 24, 2021) Read the Press Release ST. LOUIS, MO (Mar. 24, 2021) – From the St. Louis Business JournalRiverVest Venture Partners has added dry powder to its arsenal. The Clayton-based venture capital firm on Tuesday said it has
- [ANNOUNCEMENT / RiverVest Venture Partners Closes $275 Million Life Sciences Fund](https://rivervest.com/2021/03/23/rivervest-venture-partners-closes-275-million-life-sciences-fund/) - MAR 2021 RiverVest Venture Partners Closes $275 Million Life Sciences Fund ST. LOUIS (March 23, 2021) Oversubscribed fund to continue investing in high-impact biopharma and medical device innovation ST. LOUIS (March 23, 2021) – RiverVest Venture Partners, a leading venture capital firm, announced today the closing of its RiverVest Venture Fund V, L.P. (“Fund V”),
- [NEWS / Pascal Krotee Joins RiverVest as Senior Associate](https://rivervest.com/2021/02/16/pascal-krotee-joins-rivervest-as-senior-associate/) - FEB 2021 Pascal Krotee Joins RiverVest as Senior Associate ST. LOUIS (February 16, 2021) St. Louis, MO (Feb 16, 2021) – Life science venture capital firm RiverVest continues to expand its team with the addition of Pascal Krotee as senior associate in the San Diego office. “RiverVest has an extraordinary track record of creating and
- [NEWS / RiverVest Expands Analyst and Marketing & Communications Teams](https://rivervest.com/2020/09/01/rivervest-expands-analyst-and-marketing-communications-teams-2/) - SEPT 2020 RiverVest Expands Analyst and Marketing & Communications Teams ST. LOUIS (September 1, 2020) ST. LOUIS, MO (September 1, 2020) – Life science venture capital firm RiverVest has expanded its team with additions to the analyst and marketing & communications teams. RiverVest’s newest analyst, Andrew Kleiboeker joined the firm in June. Kleiboeker performs financial
- [IN THE NEWS / RiverVest's Tom Melzer Forecasts St. Louis VC, Start-up Growth for 2020](https://rivervest.com/2020/01/03/rivervests-tom-melzer-forecasts-st-louis-vc-start-up-growth-for-2020/) - JAN 2020 RiverVest’s Tom Melzer Forecasts St. Louis VC, Start-up Growth for 2020 ST. LOUIS (January 3, 2020) St. Louis Business Journal Read the Press Release Perhaps no part of the St. Louis economy surged in the past decade more than the innovation sector. From the growth of the Cortex district to venture capital investment, St.
- [IN MEMORIAM / RiverVest Mourns Passing of Co-Founder Andrew B. Craig III](https://rivervest.com/2019/05/24/rivervest-mourns-passing-of-co-founder-andrew-b-craig-iii/) - MAY 2019 RiverVest Mourns Passing of Co-Founder Andrew B. Craig III ST. LOUIS (May 24, 2019) We mourn the passing of our co-founder, partner and friend, Andrew B. Craig III. He was essential to RiverVest’s founding in 2000 and inspiration to the firm’s high professional and personal standards. We will miss him as a mentor
- [IN THE NEWS / RiverVest Builds Another San Diego Based Biopharma Company](https://rivervest.com/2019/05/20/rivervest-builds-another-san-diego-based-biopharma-company/) - MAY 2019 RiverVest Builds Another San Diego Based Biopharma Company ST. LOUIS (May 20, 2019) Read the Press Release RiverVest Managing Director Niall O’Donnell is the CEO of Reneo Pharmacueticals, which recently announced a $50M series A financing in which RiverVest participated. © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [NEWS / Sivan Weitzman Joins RiverVest Venture Partners as CFO](https://rivervest.com/2019/01/22/sivan-weitzman-joins-rivervest-venture-partners-as-cfo/) - JAN 2019 Sivan Weitzman Joins RiverVest Venture Partners as CFO ST. LOUIS (January 22, 2019) ST. LOUIS, MO (Jan. 22, 2019) – Life sciences venture capital firm RiverVest Venture Partners today announced that Sivan Weitzman has joined the firm as Chief Financial Officer. Weitzman brings with her experience as CFO at an Israeli investment firm where, during
- [ANNOUNCEMENT / RiverVest Venture Partners Closes on Oversubscribed $184.4 Million Life Science Fund](https://rivervest.com/2018/12/18/rivervest-venture-partners-closes-on-oversubscribed-184-4-million-life-science-fund/) - DEC 2018 RiverVest Venture Partners Closes on Oversubscribed $184.4 Million Life Science Fund ST. LOUIS (December 18, 2018) ST. LOUIS, MO (Dec. 18, 2018) – Life sciences venture capital firm RiverVest Venture Partners today announced the final closing of RiverVest Venture Fund IV, L.P., reaching $184.4 million in capital commitments in an oversubscribed fundraise. RiverVest
- [ANNOUNCEMENT / Portfolio Company Securus Sold to Boston Scientific Represents 9th Exit from RiverVest Venture Fund II](https://rivervest.com/2018/03/18/rivervest-venture-partners-portfolio-company-securus-sold-to-boston-scientific-represents-9th-exit-from-rivervest-venture-fund-ii/) - APR 2018 RiverVest Venture Partners’ Portfolio Company Securus Sold to Boston Scientific Represents 9th Exit from RiverVest Venture Fund II ST. LOUIS and CLEVELAND (April 3, 2018) ST. LOUIS and CLEVELAND (April 3, 2018) – RiverVest Venture Partners today announced portfolio company Securus Medical Group, Inc., has been sold to Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX).
- [NEWS / RiverVest Venture Partners Expands Scientific Advisory Board](https://rivervest.com/2017/10/25/rivervest-venture-partners-expands-scientific-advisory-board/) - OCT 2017 RiverVest Venture Partners Expands Scientific Advisory Board ST. LOUIS (October 25, 2017) ST. LOUIS, MO (Oct. 25, 2017)—RiverVest Venture Partners announced today that Ronald T. Borchardt, Ph.D. and Jared Rutter, Ph.D. have joined the life science venture capital firm’s Scientific Advisory Board. Comprised of leaders in medical research, RiverVest’s Scientific Advisory Board provides expert guidance to the
- [IN THE NEWS / St. Louis Venture Fund Makes $15 Million Bet on its Hometown](https://rivervest.com/2016/12/02/st-louis-venture-fund-makes-15-million-bet-on-its-hometown/) - DEC 2016 St. Louis Venture Fund Makes $15 Million Bet on its Hometown ST. LOUIS (December 2, 2016) Read the Press Release By: David NicklausSource: St. Louis Post-DispatchDate: December 2, 2016 When RiverVest Venture Partners opened its doors in 2000, hopes were high that it would be an important funding source for St. Louis’ nascent
- [ANNOUNCEMENT / RiverVest Venture Partners Closes on $15 Million Biopharma Pre-Seed Fund](https://rivervest.com/2016/11/30/rivervest-venture-partners-closes-on-15-million-biopharma-pre-seed-fund/) - NOV 2016 RiverVest Venture Partners Closes on $15 Million Biopharma Pre-Seed Fund ST. LOUIS (November 30, 2016) ST. LOUIS, MO (Nov. 30, 2016) – Life sciences venture capital firm RiverVest Venture Partners today announced the closing of Archer Seed Fund, L.P. at $15 million. Archer will invest modest amounts of pre-seed and seed funding in about
- [ANNOUNCEMENT / RiverVest Venture Partners co-leads $86 million Series A financing for St. Louis-founded start up Tioma](https://rivervest.com/2016/09/16/rivervest-venture-partners-co-leads-86-million-series-a-financing-for-st-louis-founded-start-up-tioma/) - SEP 2016 RiverVest Venture Partners co-leads $86 million Series A financing for St. Louis-founded startup Tioma ST. LOUIS (September 16, 2016) ST. LOUIS, MO (Sept. 16, 2016) – Tioma Therapeutics, Inc., a RiverVest portfolio company developing therapies to treat solid and blood-based cancers, announced it has raised $86 million in Series A venture financing. The Series
- [IN THE NEWS / RiverVest Opens San Diego Office That's Been 10 Years in the Making](https://rivervest.com/2016/04/07/rivervest-opens-san-diego-office-thats-been-10-years-in-the-making/) - APR 2016 RiverVest Opens San Diego Office That’s Been 10 Years in the Making ST. LOUIS (April 7, 2016) Read the Press Release By: Bruce V. BigelowSource: XconomyDate: April 7, 2016 Xconomy San Diego – RiverVest Venture Partners has stayed mostly under the radar as a small-but-active investor in San Diego life sciences startups for
- [NEWS / Nancy A. Hong Joins RiverVest Venture Partners as Life Sciences VC Opens Office in San Diego](https://rivervest.com/2016/04/07/nancy-a-hong-joins-rivervest-venture-partners-as-life-sciences-vc-opens-office-in-san-diego/) - APR 2016 Nancy A. Hong Joins RiverVest Venture Partners as Life Sciences VC Opens Office in San Diego ST. LOUIS (April 7, 2016) ST. LOUIS, MO (April 7, 2016) – Life sciences venture capital firm RiverVest Venture Partners announced today that Nancy A. Hong, Ph.D., is joining the firm as managing director. The VC firm also
- [ANNOUNCEMENT / RiverVest Venture Partners Closes on $80 Million Life Sciences Fund](https://rivervest.com/2015/05/05/rivervest-venture-partners-closes-on-80-million-life-sciences-fund/) - MAY 2015 RiverVest Venture Partners Closes on $80 Million Life Sciences Fund ST. LOUIS (May 5, 2015) ST. LOUIS, MO (May 5, 2015) – Life sciences venture capital firm RiverVest Venture Partners today announced the final closing of RiverVest Venture Fund III, L.P. at $80.2 million. “This is a great time to be investing in drugs
- [IN THE NEWS / Big year: RiverVest turns in strong 2014, eyes 2015 growth](https://rivervest.com/2014/12/26/big-year-rivervest-turns-in-strong-2014-eyes-2015-growth/) - DEC 2014 Big year: RiverVest turns in strong 2014, eyes 2015 growth ST. LOUIS (December 26, 2014) Read the Press Release By: Brian Feldt, ReporterSt. Louis Business JournalDecember 26, 2014 RiverVest Venture Partners, the Clayton-based venture capital firm, has for several years been considered one of the leading investing firms in the nation when it
- [NEWS / RiverVest Venture Partners' Otonomy Completes $100 Million Initial Public Offering](https://rivervest.com/2014/08/13/rivervest-venture-partners-otonomy-completes-100-million-initial-public-offering/) - AUG 2014 RiverVest Venture Partners’ Otonomy Completes $100 Million Initial Public Offering ST. LOUIS and SAN DIEGO (August 13, 2014) ST. LOUIS and SAN DIEGO (Aug. 13, 2014) – Otonomy, Inc., a RiverVest Fund II portfolio company that develops drug therapies for the inner and middle ear, announced today its $100 million initial public offering. The San
- [IN THE NEWS / Candid Advice For Cash-Strapped Startups From A Biotech Venture Capitalist](https://rivervest.com/2014/07/21/candid-advice-for-cash-strapped-startups-from-a-biotech-venture-capitalist/) - JUL 2014 Candid Advice For Cash-Strapped Startups From A Biotech Venture Capitalist ST. LOUIS (July 21, 2014) Read the Press Release By Josh Baxt, BioSpace.com Exclusive Story In a sense, Niall O’Donnell, Ph.D., and his colleagues at RiverVest Venture Partners run a biomedical adoption agency. They track down innovative discoveries, help raise them for a
- [IN THE NEWS / 15 Agents of Change in Medtech:  No. 7: RiverVest Venture Partners](https://rivervest.com/2014/05/28/15-agents-of-change-in-medtech-no-7-rivervest-venture-partners/) - MAY 2014 15 Agents of Change in Medtech: No 7 RiverVest Venture Partners ST. LOUIS (May 28, 2014)Jamie Hartford Read the Press Release No. 7: RiverVest Venture Partners Passion or the desire to make a difference alone cannot bring about radical changes in the world of medtech. Money and the right guidance are equally crucial.
- [ANNOUNCEMENT / RiverVest Venture Partners' portfolio company Lumena is Sold to Shire for $260 million; Represents Sixth Exit from RiverVest Venture Fund II](https://rivervest.com/2014/05/12/rivervest-venture-partners-portfolio-company-lumena-is-sold-to-shire-for-260-million-represents-sixth-exit-from-rivervest-venture-fund-ii/) - MAY 2014 RiverVest Venture Partners’ portfolio company Lumena is Sold to Shire for $260 million; Represents Sixth Exit from RiverVest Venture Fund II ST. LOUIS and SAN DIEGO (May 12, 2014) ST. LOUIS and SAN DIEGO (May 12, 2014) – RiverVest Venture Partners today announced portfolio company Lumena Pharmaceuticals has been sold to Dublin-based Shire

## Pages

- [Home](https://rivervest.com/) - RiverVest is a leading venture capital firm building life science companies to address significant unmet medical needs.
- [Thomas C. Melzer](https://rivervest.com/tom-melzer/) - Tom Melzer is a co-founder and managing director of RiverVest Venture Partners. Although no longer directly engaged in investing, Tom remains actively involved in firm management, investor relations, and community engagement, ensuring the continued growth and success of the firm.
- [Pascal Krotee](https://rivervest.com/pascal-krotee/) - Pascal Krotee, Ph.D. is a principal at RiverVest Venture Partners, where she focuses on sourcing and conducting due diligence on prospective investments while providing operational support across the firm’s biopharmaceutical and medical device portfolios. RiverVest has an extraordinary track record of creating and investing in groundbreaking and successful technologies that change patients' lives for the
- [Karen Spilizewski](https://rivervest.com/karen-spilizewski/) - Karen Spilizewski is a Managing Director at RiverVest Venture Partners, where she focuses on identifying early-stage medical device technologies, conducting due diligence, and supporting the firm’s portfolio company CEOs to accelerate their products through development and into the marketplace.
- [Jay W. Schmelter](https://rivervest.com/jay-schmelter/) - Jay Schmelter is a co-founder and managing director of RiverVest Venture Partners, where he leads the firm’s investment strategy and operations and guides CEOs to accelerate medical device products through development and into the marketplace.
- [Niall O’Donnell, Ph.D.](https://rivervest.com/niall-odonnell/) - Niall O’Donnell is a managing director of RiverVest Venture Partners, where he focuses on identifying and shaping promising early-stage biopharmaceutical opportunities and building value for RiverVest’s portfolio companies.
- [Isaac Zike, Ph.D.](https://rivervest.com/isaac-zike/) - Isaac Zike, Ph.D. is a Managing Director at RiverVest Venture Partners, where he supports operational and development activities of current portfolio companies, manages diligence processes on potential new investments, and facilitates the development of novel opportunities.
- [Team](https://rivervest.com/team/) - Discover our exceptional team who are all committed to doing business the right way to deliver the best outcomes for patients, entrepreneurs, and investors
- [About](https://rivervest.com/about/) - Discover the inspiring story of RiverVest, a St. Louis-based venture capital firm investing in biopharma and medical devices. With multiple funds, investments, and exits, their successful strategy has helped millions of patients.
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- [Portfolio](https://rivervest.com/portfolio/) - Discover RiverVest's diverse portfolio of Biopharma and Medical Device investors and our consistent delivery of strong results to each.
- [John McKearn, Ph.D.](https://rivervest.com/john-mckearn/) - John McKearn joined RiverVest in 2008 as a managing director and transitioned to his role as senior advisor in 2026. Throughout his tenure, he has been a central scientific voice in the firm’s biopharmaceutical strategy and continues to contribute his deep expertise in immunology, drug discovery, and clinical development and commercialization. His career spans academic research, large pharmaceutical organizations, venture-backed biotechs, and early-stage company formation.
- [Portfolio News](https://rivervest.com/portfolio-news/) - RiverVest is a leading venture capital firm building life science companies to address unmet needs and consistently delivering strong returns to investors.
- [Peter Tontonoz, M.D., Ph.D.](https://rivervest.com/peter-tontonoz/) - Peter Tontonoz is the Frances and Albert Piansky Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Professor of Biological Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles.
- [Alessandro Sette, Dr. Biol. Sci.](https://rivervest.com/alessandro-sette-dr-biol-sci/) - Alessandro Sette is a professor at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in the Centers for Autoimmunity and Inflammation and Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research.
- [Jared Rutter, Ph.D.](https://rivervest.com/jared-rutter/) - Dr. Jared Rutter is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah and an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).
- [Andrew Kleiboeker](https://rivervest.com/andrew-kleiboeker/) - Andrew Kleiboeker is an associate at RiverVest Venture Partners, where he assists with due diligence on medical device investment opportunities and performs financial analysis for portfolio company financings as well as M&A transactions.
- [Jeff Seitz](https://rivervest.com/jeff-seitz-2/) - Jeff Seitz is a senior analyst at RiverVest Venture Partners, where he performs financial analysis and supports the due diligence process.
- [Corrin Short](https://rivervest.com/corrin-short/) - Corrin Short joined RiverVest in 2002 as Executive Assistant.
- [Sivan Weitzman](https://rivervest.com/sivan-weitzman/) - Sivan joined RiverVest in 2019 as Chief Financial Officer, overseeing the firm’s financial operations, including those related to its various funds, portfolio company investments, and management company.
- [Poppy Keller](https://rivervest.com/poppy-keller/) - Poppy conducts financial analysis in connection with portfolio company financings and M&A transactions. She also assists in quarterly valuation analysis, financial reporting, and fundraising efforts.
- [Michael Berman](https://rivervest.com/michael-berman/) - As a consultant to RiverVest, Mike provides the firm with advice on existing and potential portfolio companies, especially as it relates to technology being developed in Israel.
- [Courtney Harris](https://rivervest.com/courtney-harris/) - Courtney joined RiverVest in June 2021. As Controller, Courtney oversees the day-to-day operations of all finance, accounting, and reporting activities for the firm.
- [Kelly K. Cathey](https://rivervest.com/kelly-cathey/) - Kelly is a member of the original RiverVest team. In her role, Kelly has been instrumental in ensuring operational efficiency, while also focusing on technology, human resources, and investor relations.
- [Lumena Pharmaceuticals: Treating life-threatening pediatric liver diseases](https://rivervest.com/lumena-pharmaceuticals-treating-life-threatening-pediatric-liver-disease/) - Discover how Lumena, a biopharma company, tackled a significant unmet need, paving the way for safe, effective oral treatments for life-threatening liver diseases.
- [Mirum Pharmaceuticals: Getting patients with rare liver disease the relief they need](https://rivervest.com/mirum-pharmaceuticals-leading-the-way-in-treating-rare-liver-disease/) - Discover how Mirum's LIVMARLI is revolutionizing treatment for rare liver diseases with its FDA-approved medication, the first of its kind.
- [News](https://rivervest.com/news/) - Stay up to date in the pharmaceutical industry as industry leaders join boards, clinical trial milestones are achieved, and new drug applications are submitted.
- [Nafiseh Masoumi](https://rivervest.com/nafiseh-masoumi/) - Nafise Masoumi is a principal at RiverVest Venture Partners, where she focuses on deal sourcing, due diligence, and analysis of prospective investments and provides operational support for RiverVest’s portfolio companies.
- [Accessibility Statement](https://rivervest.com/accessibility-statement/) - We strive to ensure that our customers have full access to the services offered and to the information shared on our websites. We’re actively seeking to improve our performance to meet level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. If you experience any issues using our site, please let us know the web
- [Newsletter](https://rivervest.com/newsletter/) - RiverVest is a leading venture capital firm building life science companies to address unmet needs and consistently delivering strong returns to investors.
- [Newsletter Signup v1](https://rivervest.com/newsletter-signup-v1/) - Stay up to date in the pharmaceutical industry as industry leaders join boards, clinical trial milestones are achieved, and new drug applications are submitted.
- [Newsletter Signup](https://rivervest.com/newsletter-signup/) - Stay up to date in the pharmaceutical industry as industry leaders join boards, clinical trial milestones are achieved, and new drug applications are submitted.
- [Gary DeCrescenzo](https://rivervest.com/gary-decrescenzo/) - Gary DeCrescenzoIndependent ConsultantPharmaceutical Research and Development The discovery and development of novel therapeutics is both challenging and inspiring, requiring perseverance and tenacity. The RiverVest team has developed a diverse, high-quality portfolio that continues to evolve in exciting new directions, all in the quest to improve the quality of human health and patient care. Gary DeCrescenzo 
- [John C. Cambier, PhD, DFAAI](https://rivervest.com/john-c-cambier-phd-dfaai/) - John C. Cambier, Ph.D., DFAAIEmeritus Chair and Distinguished ProfessorDepartment of Immunology and MicrobiologyUniversity of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus Editor-in-Chief: Immunological ReviewsDistinguished Fellow: American Association of Immunologists The remarkable pace of drug discovery by biotech and pharma owes much to the contributions of venture capitalists. Indeed, real-world conditions that threaten conventional funding sources will
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## Portfolio

- [Allotera Therapeutics, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/alloteratx/) - / PORTFOLIO St. Louis, MO Allotera Therapeutics (formerly Wugen) is a pivotal-stage biotechnology company developing allogeneic, off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapies for cancer. The company is advancing Soficabtagene Geleucel, or Sofi-cel, its lead CD7-targeted CAR-T cell therapy, through a global pivotal study for relapsed or refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Allotera’s gene-editing
- [Flex Vascular, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/flex-vascular/) - / PORTFOLIO Minneapolis, MN Flex Vascular develops and markets innovative medical devices for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease (PAD) and stenosis of arteriovenous (AV) fistulas and grafts, serious conditions leading to reduced blood flow and many complications. The FLEX Vessel PrepTM System optimizes treatment of long, complex vascular lesions by safely creating microincisions in
- [MaxWell Biomedical](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/maxwell-biomedical/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA MaxWell Biomedical is developing a first-of-its-kind device-based solution designed to maintain sinus rhythm in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). MAXWELLBIOMEDICAL.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [Lumena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/lumena-pharmaceuticals-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA Lumena was co-founded by RiverVest in 2010 to develop oral therapeutic compounds for the treatment of rare cholestatic liver diseases. The company’s lead asset, LUM001, was a novel, once-daily, orally administered, potent and selective apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) inhibitor that works by preventing recycling of bile acids back
- [Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/mirum-pharmaceuticals-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Francisco, CA IPO July 2019 (NASDAQ: MIRM) Mirum was formed in 2018, with support from RiverVest, to advance maralixibat, an ASBT inhibitor previously developed by Lumena Pharmaceuticals, a RiverVest Fund II company. Mirum went public in July 2019, and RiverVest liquidated its position in the company in 2023. RiverVest Fund IV Participated
- [Bluejay Therapeutics](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/blue-jay-therapeutics/) - / PORTFOLIO San Francisco, CA Bluejay Therapeutics, founded in 2021, was developing brelovitug, a fully human monoclonal antibody with Breakthrough Therapy and PRIME designations for chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV). At the time of acquisition by Mirum Pharmaceuticals, brelovitug was being evaluated in the AZURE Phase 3 registrational program for HDV, the most severe form
- [Mirum Pharmaceuticals](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/mirum-pharmaceuticals-inc-2/) - / PORTFOLIO San Francisco, CA (NASDAQ: MIRM) Mirum Pharmaceuticals is a leading rare disease company with a global footprint of approved products and a broad pipeline of investigational medicines. The company’s commercial portfolio includes LIVMARLI® (maralixibat) for Alagille syndrome (ALGS) and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), two life-threatening pediatric liver diseases. With the addition of
- [InterVene, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/intervene-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Redwood City, CA InterVene is a privately held medical device company focused on developing transformative products to treat the long-term complications of venous disease. Its flagship technology, Recana Thrombectomy Catheter System, is designed to treat venous in-stent restenosis and native vein obstructions and occlusions. INTERVENE-MED.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [Biolinq](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/biolinq/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA Biolinq is a medical device company developing a wearable biosensor platform that measures biomarkers important to the management of many clinical conditions including diabetes. The company’s first product is a needle-free, intelligent continuous glucose monitoring system. BIOLINQ.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [SeQure Dx](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/sequre-dx/) - / PORTFOLIO Waltham, MA SeQure Dx, Inc. is applying state-of-the-art genomics technologies for gene editor target profiling to advance discovery, clinical development, and diagnostic solutions. Their core technologies, GUIDE-seq and ONE-seq, enable identification of all potential off-target sites prior to initiating therapy, to allow comprehensive confirmation of actual edits. This information provides gene editing therapeutics
- [Atalanta Therapeutics](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/atalanta-therapeutics/) - / PORTFOLIO Boston, MA Atalanta Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to finding solutions for intractable diseases of the central nervous system. Utilizing its novel platform of divalent small interfering RNA (di-siRNA), Atalanta is initially focused on advancing two lead programs through clinical proof-of-concept: KCNT1 (ATL-201) to treat a rare, life-threatening pediatric epilepsy and Pan
- [Spruce Biosciences, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/spruce-biosciences-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Francisco, CA IPO October 2020 (NASDAQ: SPRB) Spruce is developing novel therapies for rare endocrine diseases. The company’s lead product candidate for the treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is intended to correct hormone imbalances, giving patients a therapeutic option that treats their underlying disease while reducing their steroid burden. SPRUCEBIOSCIENCES.COM ©
- [OnKure Therapeutics, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/onkure-therapeutics-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Boulder, CO (NASDAQ: OKU) OnKure Therapeutics is a publicly listed company based in the US. OnKure is focused on the development of PI3Ka mutant subtype inhibitors. PI3Ka is a key oncogenic driver in a variety of cancers. The company’s lead product, OKI-219, is in a Phase I clinical study in breast cancer. RiverVest
- [Engrail Therapeutics, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/alleviant-medical-inc-2/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA Engrail Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company founded in 2019 with the aspiration of becoming a leader in neuroscience. The company is committed to rapidly advancing its innovative, precision-targeted therapeutics for the treatment of diseases including anxiety disorders, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and rare neurodegenerative diseases. Engrail.com © Copyright RiverVest® All
- [Cardialen, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/cardialen-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Minneapolis, MN Cardialen is an early-stage medical device company dedicated to advancing implantable cardioversion and defibrillation therapy to restore normal heart rhythm using significantly lower energy than existing therapies. Cardialen’s MultiPulse™ Therapy (MPT) is currently being studied in FDA-approved early-feasibility clinical trials for both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. CARDIALEN.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights
- [Arch Oncology, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/arch-oncology-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO St. Louis, MO With RiverVest as a founder, Arch Oncology is focused on the discovery and development of best-in-class antibody therapies for the treatment of patients with solid-tumor and certain blood cancers. Arch Oncology’s next-generation anti-CD47 antibodies are highly differentiated compared to other agents in this class, with the potential to improve significantly
- [Allakos, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/allakos-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Francisco, CA IPO July 2018 (NASDAQ: ALLK) Allakos is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutic antibodies targeting a broad range of allergic, inflammatory, and proliferative diseases. The Company’s lead antibody, AK002, targets Siglec-8, an inhibitory receptor on human mast cells and eosinophils. ALLAKOS.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [Scout Bio, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/scout-bio-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Philadelphia, PA Scout is focused on delivering a new generation of gene therapies for pets to significantly improve the standard-of-care for multiple conditions. The technology approach is to express an appropriate level of a therapeutic protein in pet patients using adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) technology, delivered through simple injection. The first target for
- [Lutonix, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/lutonix-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Minneapolis, MN Founded in part by RiverVest, Lutonix developed the first FDA-approved drug-coated angioplasty balloon catheter that delivers paclitaxel to the arterial wall when used for the treatment of peripheral artery disease. Paclitaxel is an anti-proliferative drug commonly used to prevent restenosis, or re-narrowing of treated arteries post-treatment. Acquired by C.R. Bard in December
- [Bonum Therapeutics, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/bonum-therapeutics-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Seattle, WA Bonum is a biopharma company developing immuno-oncology drugs exclusively active within the tumor micro-environemnt. BONUMTX.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [Archmont Biopharma, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/archmont-biopharma-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO St. Louis, MO Archmont, a company co-founded by RiverVest, is developing bone-targeted gene therapy for patients with a rare lysosomal storage disorder known as Morquio A syndrome, leveraging lysosome expertise at Saint Louis University and other leading institutions. This disease leads to various profound developmental challenges including severe scoliosis, joint disorders, and compromised
- [Avalyn Pharma, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/avalyn-pharma-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA Avalyn is a biopharma company developing improved therapies for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other severe respiratory diseases. The lead asset is inhaled pirfenidone (Aerodone™) for the treatment of IPF. Avalyn is rapidly advancing this asset, as well as additional pipeline candidates for treating IPF and other
- [Alleviant Medical, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/alleviant-medical-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Austin, TX Alleviant Medical, Inc. is a medical device company developing a minimally invasive, implant-free interatrial shunt device under clinical investigation for the treatment of chronic heart failure. The Alleviant System was granted U.S. FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2021.The interventional procedure is intended to decompress the left atrium for heart failure patients without
- [Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/amplyx-pharmaceuticals-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA Amplyx is focused on developing innovative therapies for debilitating and life-threatening systemic fungal and viral infections in patients with compromised immune systems. Amplyx is advancing programs with the potential to protect these vulnerable patients, including those with cancer and transplants, and the critically ill.Acquired by Pfizer in April 2021 PFIZER.COM
- [Xilio Therapeutics](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/xilio-therapeutics/) - / PORTFOLIO Boston, MA Xilio is an oncology company developing highly-potent, tumor-selective immunotherapies to improve patient outcomes. With an anti-CTLA4 antibody as validation, the company’s technology is also being applied to cytokines, which currently have limited or no clinical utility due to toxicities. By tailoring pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties in parallel, Xilio aims to design
- [Curzion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/curzion-pharmaceuticals-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA Curzion Pharmaceuticals is developing a late-stage small molecule to treat fibrotic conditions, where significant unmet needs exist. The safety and efficacy of its in-licensed lead development candidate have been demonstrated in prior mid-stage clinical studies. RiverVest was a founder of Curzion.Acquired by Horizon Therapeutics in April 2020. © Copyright RiverVest® All
- [Good Therapeutics, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/good-therapeutics-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Seattle, WA Good Therapeutics is an early-stage biotechnology company developing context-dependent protein drugs that sense biomarkers which trigger therapeutic activity. Good Therapeutics’ goal is to make safer, more effective drugs that act only when and where they are needed, limiting systemic toxicity without reducing therapeutic efficacy. Early applications of the company’s approach may
- [Neuros Medical, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/neuros-medical-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Cleveland, OH Neuros Medical is focused on the development of proprietary electrical stimulation therapies for the treatment of chronic pain. The Company’s patented platform technology, Electrical Nerve Block, aims to treat a variety of indications, including post-amputation pain and chronic post-surgical pain. NEUROSMEDICAL.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [OncoResponse, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/oncoresponse-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Seattle, WA OncoResponse is leveraging a proprietary human antibody platform to discover novel targets and identify fully-human monoclonal antibodies as therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, potentially extending cures to patients who otherwise would not respond to immunotherapy. ONCORESPONSEINC.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [OxaluRx, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/oxalurx-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO St. Louis, MO OxaluRx is a preclinical company developing a small molecule, oral therapy to treat primary hyperoxaluria, a rare orphan metabolic disease. This rare form of hyperoxaluria is due exclusively to a genetic defect that causes a loss of specific enzymatic activity and the formation of kidney stones, leading to kidney damage
- [Standard Bariatrics, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/standard-bariatrics-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Cincinnatio, OH Standard Bariatrics is committed to creating superior surgical products for sleeve gastrectomy bariatric surgery. The company is commercializing its FDA-cleared STANDARD CLAMP™ and is developing a full-length stapler that would enable surgeons to create consistent sleeve anatomy every time.Standard Bariatrics was acquired by Teleflex Inc. (NYSE: TFX) STANDARDBARIATRICS.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All
- [Cabrellis Pharmaceuticals Corporation](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/cabrellis-pharmaceuticals-corporation/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA Cabrellis developed Calsed™, a third-generation synthetic anthracycline drug for small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancers.Acquired by Pharmion (now part of Celgene) in November 2011. CELGENE.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [Cameron Health, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/cameron-health-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Clemente, CA Cameron Health developed the world’s first commercially-available subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator, called the S-ICD System. No leads are placed in or on the heart, leaving the heart and blood vessels untouched and offering patients an alternative to conventional transvenous ICDs.Acquired by Boston Scientific in June 2012. EMBLEM™ MRI S-ICD SYSTEM
- [Centerre Healthcare Corporation](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/centerre-healthcare-corporation/) - / PORTFOLIO Nashville, TN Healthcare ServicesFounded in St. Louis, Centerre Healthcare developed and operated inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, providing inpatient services in partnership with general acute-care hospitals. Through a focused approach, Centerre achieved better outcomes on a more cost-effective basis than acute-care hospitals whose primary focus areas were other clinical areas. Acquired by Kindred in November 2014.
- [CGI Pharmaceuticals Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/cgi-pharmaceuticals-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Branford, CT CGI Pharmaceuticals discovered and generated a library of small molecules with a focus on kinase biology. The lead preclinical compound targeted spleen tyrosine kinase (SyK) with potential applications in the treatment of serious inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. Acquired by Gilead Sciences, Inc. in July 2017. GILEAD.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [Conforma Therapeutics Corporation](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/conforma-therapeutics-corporation/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA Conforma Therapeutics discovered and developed drugs that inhibit heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) molecules, which are involved in protecting and supporting the growth of cancer cells across a range of tumor types, and which also play a role in tumor resistance to a number of cancer therapies.Acquired by Biogen in
- [CyDex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/cydex-pharmaceuticals-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Lenexa, KS CyDex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. developed Captisol®, a drug delivery technology that can significantly improve the solubility, stability and bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Captisol is a doughnut-shaped cyclodextrin molecule that holds a drug in its center, while the molecule’s exterior permits dissolution of the complex. Early commercial applications include VFend, an anti-fungal
- [IDEV Technologies, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/idev-technologies-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Houston, TX IDEV Technologies, Inc. developed the Supera™ stent for the treatment of peripheral artery disease. The use of interwoven, individual, flexible nitinol wires enables a unique combination of high compression resistance, low chronic outward force, high flexibility and fracture resistance. Acquired by Abbott in August 2013. ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/excaliard-pharmaceuticals-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA Excaliard Pharmaceuticals focused on the development of novel and innovative drugs for the amelioration of skin scarring and other fibrotic disorders. Its lead compound, EXC 001, was an antisense oligonucleotide drug targeting expression of CTGF that is activated during skin scarring following the wound healing process. RiverVest was a founder
- [MacroGenics, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/macrogenics-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Rockville, MD IPO October 2013 (NASDAQ: MGNX) MacroGenics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company generates its pipeline of product candidates from its proprietary suite of next-generation antibody technology platforms. MACROGENICS.COM © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [Mpex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/mpex-pharmaceuticals-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA Mpex Pharmaceuticals developed inhaled levofloxacin (brand name Quinsair), an antibiotic used for long-term lung infection treatment in people with cystic fibrosis. Levofloxacin is a well-known antibiotic that had been approved and prescribed for treating infection via infusion and oral administration since the 1990s. Acquired in September 2011, now commercialized by Horizon
- [Otonomy, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/otonomy-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Diego, CA Otonomy works to bring new treatment options to patients with hearing and balance disorders. Otonomy’s technology enables drugs to reach targets effectively and safely within the protected inner ear. The company is developing multiple novel therapeutics to treat tinnitus, Ménière’s disease, and hearing loss.IPO August 2014 (NASDAQ: OTIC) OTONOMY.COM ©
- [Salient Surgical Technologies, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/salient-surgical-technologies-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Portsmouth, NH Salient Surgical developed the AquamantysTM system, which uses proprietary TranscollationTM technology that combines radiofrequency (RF) energy and saline to provide sealing of vascular tissue without the smoke and charring associated with competing methods. This eases the burden on the surgeon and results in improved surgical outcomes. These unique surgical tools are
- [Securus Medical Group, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/securus-medical-group-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Cleveland, OH Securus Medical developed a device to provide clinicians a simple to use, real-time, noncontact, thermal map of body cavity tissue temperature, including in the esophagus during ablation procedures for treating atrial fibrillation, to avoid creating esophageal fistulas. Acquired by Boston Scientific in April 2018. © Copyright RiverVest® All Rights Reserved.
- [Velocimed, LLC](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/velocimed-llc/) - / PORTFOLIO Minneapolis, MN Velocimed developed multiple unique interventional cardiology products, including a proximal embolic protection device (Proxis™), a patent foramen ovale (“PFO”) closure device (PremereTM) and a directional catheter (VentureTM) for navigating tortuous vasculature. Each of these products was aimed at improving the safety and/or efficacy of certain interventional cardiology procedures. Acquired by St. Jude
- [ZS Pharma Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/zs-pharma-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO Fort Worth, TX IPO June 2014, then acquired by AstraZeneca December 2015. ZS Pharma developed Lokelma, a drug to treat hyperkalemia, a serious condition characterized by elevated potassium levels in the blood associated with cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases. Lokelma was approved for sale in 2018, and AstraZeneca has commercialized the drug in
- [Sparrow Pharmaceuticals](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/sparrow-pharmaceuticals/) - / PORTFOLIO Portland, OR Sparrow Pharmaceuticals was founded to spare patients the ravages of corticosteroids. Leveraging underappreciated scientific insights into steroid biology, the company is working to provide better treatment options for serious disorders of hypercortisolism, and to revolutionize the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Its lead product, SPI-62, is an oral, small molecule,
- [Glycomine, Inc.](https://rivervest.com/portfolio_page/glycomine-inc/) - / PORTFOLIO San Carlos, CA Glycomine is developing orphan drugs for serious rare disorders of metabolism and protein misfolding for which no other therapeutic options exist. The company’s approach is to use replacement therapies – substrates, enzymes, or proteins – and to target those molecules to clinically relevant cellular compartments. The company is based in

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