Emily’s Entourage (EE) advances research and therapeutic development for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) through a number of funding mechanisms, including strategic investments made through a venture philanthropy model.
Using this entrepreneurial approach, we provide early-stage funding to companies to expedite the development of promising therapies and a cure for people with CF who do not benefit from the currently available CFTR modulator therapies.
Fueling Progress
In 2016, EE provided seed funding to launch Spirovant Sciences (formerly Talee Bio), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing gene therapy for CF. In addition to the funds and impetus to launch the startup, we provided scientific connections — resulting in a unique partnership between the University of Iowa, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Militia Hill Ventures.
Spirovant Sciences has since been acquired twice, most recently by Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma of Japan, and is advancing two novel, mutation-agnostic gene therapy programs for CF using adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentivirus vectors. Its lead product candidate, SP-101 (AAV), has been granted Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease Designations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Available Opportunities
EE is committed to supporting high-impact research on gene-based therapy strategies aimed at addressing the needs of the final 10% of the CF community that do not benefit from currently available CFTR modulators.
Through our Gene-based Therapy Initiative, we provide venture capital funding to companies with rigorous research programs that have the potential to develop transformative therapies for individuals in the final 10% of the CF population that do not benefit from currently available CFTR modulators, including those with rare and nonsense mutations.
With innovative new funding structures, EE can expand and accelerate important research efforts while putting in place a path for developing this research into novel therapeutics. Our dual strategy includes looking within and outside of our current research portfolio for high-risk, high-reward opportunities. In particular, we are looking to fund early-stage biotech companies developing gene-based therapeutic technologies. We initially invest at the seed level and support our portfolio companies with strategic and operational resources as well as potential follow-on investment.
If you would like to learn more about our venture philanthropic investments, please contact us below.
In addition to making strategic investments in companies, EE also provides companies with CF-specific insights, connections, and resources on a consultative basis, including identification of key opinion leaders, guidance on clinical development and the therapeutic landscape, patient perspectives, and insights on unmet clinical needs.
Additional Information
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the potential of a collaboration, please contact us below.