Philanthropy & Venture-Philanthropy

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8.1 Amylyx – ALS Therapeutics (Philanthropy‑enabled)

ALS therapy developer where foundation grants underwrote early trials; NEJM‑published CENTAUR results (2020) helped bridge into later approvals.

Capital stacking approach: Philanthropic grants → Traditional financing

Product‑Market‑Fit / Evidence Phase

• Early ALS Association grants (Ice Bucket funds) → pilot/Phase 2; regulatory support.

Scale / Outcomes

• Continued trials + regulatory engagement; blended philanthropy and traditional financing.

References: Company · ALS grants · NEJM CENTAUR · Company NEJM press

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8.2 Bigfoot Biomedical – Type 1 Diabetes (Venture‑philanthropy)

Integrated insulin management backed by the JDRF T1D Fund; Bigfoot Unity received 510(k) clearance in 2021, aligning capital to clinical milestones.

Product‑Market‑Fit / Evidence Phase

• JDRF T1D Fund investment closed the "valley of death" for pivotal development.

Scale / Outcomes

• Partnerships across the diabetes ecosystem; continued regulatory progress.

References: Company · JDRF T1D Fund · FDA device db

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8.3 Perceive Bio – Retinal Disease (Venture‑philanthropy)

Inherited retinal‑disease therapeutics advanced with RD Fund support to IND‑ready status, then Series B progress.

Product‑Market‑Fit / Evidence Phase

• RD Fund participation aligned capital to translational milestones.

Scale / Outcomes

• Early clinical milestones with foundation + follow‑on support.

References: Company · RD Fund · ClinicalTrials.gov · News

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8.4 Envisagenics – RNA Splicing / Myeloma (Venture‑philanthropy)

RNA therapeutics platform supported by the Myeloma Investment Fund, accelerating oncology collaborations without heavy dilution.

Product‑Market‑Fit / Evidence Phase

• MIF aligned investment to myeloma‑relevant biology/biomarkers.

Scale / Outcomes

• Expanded collaborations and publications ahead of larger financings.

References: Company · MMRF MIF · Publications · Press

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8.5 Global Access Health (GAH) – Affordable Diagnostics (Nonprofit conversion)

Social‑enterprise diagnostics formed via philanthropy‑led acquisition of Mologic and combination with Global Access Diagnostics to mission‑lock access.

Product‑Market‑Fit / Evidence Phase

• Nonprofit conversion (2021) secured global access mission; reinvest surpluses.

Scale / Outcomes

• Focus on affordable diagnostics for LMICs via GADx.

References: GAH · Open Society · GADx · BBC

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8.6 Civica Rx – Nonprofit Generics Manufacturer (Nonprofit from inception)

Hospital‑owned nonprofit supplying essential generics to 1,400+ hospitals; scaled with member offtake commitments rather than equity.

Capital stacking approach: Nonprofit structure + Member commitments

Product‑Market‑Fit / Evidence Phase

• Member hospital commitments underwrote initial production.

Scale / Outcomes

• U.S. manufacturing build‑out; insulin initiative.

References: Company · Members · Insulin · Press