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
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
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
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
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
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.
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