Toucan’s portfolio reflects our investment strategy in life sciences and advanced technologies as well as the expertise of our investment team. Our life science portfolio includes companies with products and technology in biologics, cell-based therapies, small molecules, and medical devices. Our advanced technologies portfolio includes companies with nanotechnology-based products and information technologies.

To gain a better comprehensive understanding of our stem cell portfolio, click here.

ADMET Technologies is an early-stage biotech company developing novel cell and tissue based products for drug discovery. The current cell based model systems used in Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET) testing in the drug discovery sector lack human physiological relevance as well as a systems biology approach to enhance drug development. ADMET is building a portfolio around proprietary products, processes, and strong intellectual property in order to add, and capture, value in this important sector. Products currently being marketed, or in development, include primary human hepatocytes, a 3 dimensional human liver bioreactor, 3 dimensional polymer based scaffolds to grow mini-liver tissues in a high throughput screening format, multi-tissue bioreactors for a systems biology approach to drug discovery, and a human hepatocyte assay derived from primary human hepatic stem cells for an off-the-shelf, on-demand primary human hepatocyte.

Cognate Bioservices provides an extensive array of contract services for biotechnology companies, including certain basic molecular biology and immunology work, study design, clinical and regulatory advisory services, cell culture, and development of GLP and GMP manufacturing. Cognate is also developing proprietary stem-cell-based therapies for cardiovascular disease, the number one killer in the U.S. These therapies are aimed at both cardiac and peripheral vascular conditions, and are designed to minimize the damage, and/or stimulate some repair, to the heart tissue or vasculature affected by these conditions.

GlobalStem, Inc. is among the very few companies focused on developing and providing research products, services, and customer solutions to the newly emerging and rapidly expanding human embryonic stem cell research field. GlobalStem's core competency and expertise also address the longer-established mouse transgenic and gene knockout research community. In addition to catering to the niche market of embryonic stem cell research, GlobalStem is also active in setting standards for the international ES research community, along with other academic and industry leaders. Within one year of operation, GlobalStem has launched 17 embryonic stem cell qualified cell culture reagents and cellular products, has a portfolio of 4 cell line characterization services, has established one sales and marketing strategic alliance with a cell culture media and reagents manufacturing company, and procured two customer solution contracts. GlobalStem has identified the lack of comprehensive stem cell characterization as a major hurdle which must be overcome before human embryonic stem cells can translate to the clinic. To this end, GlobalStem’s staff scientists are actively involved in research activities to develop proprietary molecular methods to fully characterize human embryonic stem cell lines.

Med Relief is a medical device start-up developing non-implanted, bioelectrical devices for clinical applications with unmet treatment needs. Med Relief has been issued four patents covering its’ broad technology platform and has received three different FDA 510(k) clearances for acute and chronic pain indications. Med Relief is focusing on mechanistic and basic science research along with double-blinded randomized clinical trials to support market entry of Med Relief devices into large developed markets.

IntraPace, Inc. is a medical device company developing an implantable gastric pacemaker for the treatment of obesity. The product is implanted endoscopically, under conscious sedation. Unlike the current state-of-the-art procedure, bariatric surgery, the IntraPace device does not involve any anatomic alterations. In addition, unlike competitive devices, IntraPace's device will not require surgical implantation nor will it require overnight hospitalization. Toucan co-led the company's Series C round with Oxford Bioscience Partners. Other investors included Guidant Corporation, Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation, DFJ ePlanet, CB Health Ventures, and The Halo Fund.

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Northwest Biotherapeutics (NWBT) is a biotechnology company focused on the clinical development of autologous immunotherapy products for cancer. NWBT’s technology platform, DCVax^®, uses a patient’s own dendritic cells, the starter engine of the immune system, loaded with tumor proteins or antigens. Injection of these cells back into the patient as a personalized medicine cancer vaccine, initiates a potent immune response against cancer cells resulting in delayed time to progression and prolonged survival. NWBT’s two lead product candidates, DCVax^®-Prostate and DCVax^®-Brain are entering FDA-allowed late stage clinical trials from which licensure is possible.

Pepgen Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel interferon molecules. Pepgen's lead product, Tauferon™, is an orally administered compound in human clinical studies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Tauferon's major competitive advantages are its oral availability and a dramatically improved toxicity profile compared to beta interferons. In preclinical development for the treatment of viral diseases and cancer is a genetically modified human interferon-alpha, Neoferon™, which has much less toxicity than the interferons currently on the market. Toucan recently co-led the company's Series D-2 round with BioAsia Investments. Other investors include Valley Ventures, Asset Management Partners, and Veron International.

Q Therapeutics is an emerging biopharmaceutical company developing products to treat debilitating diseases of the central nervous system. The Company’s first product, Q-Cells™, is a cell-based therapeutic intended to replace the insulating myelin on damaged neurons and thus regenerate normal function of these neurons. Q-Cells are applicable to a wide range of demyelinating diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury and white matter stroke. Q’s initial clinical target is Transverse Myelitis, a rapidly paralyzing, inflammatory condition in the spinal cord related to MS. Q’s pipeline includes other cell products for treating diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Diseases and ALS, as well as peripheral neuropathies. Toucan Capital invested in the Series A financing along with vSpring Capital, Wasatch Venture Fund, and company management.

RNT has developed special nano-layer foils that are used for rapid, localized "welding" or joining of either similar or dissimilar materials. This method of joining eliminates certain distortions caused by the thermal effects of traditional welding, and also allows certain materials (such as metals and ceramics) to be stably joined which could not previously be so joined. RNT's products have potential applications across virtually all industrial sectors, from packaging to electronics to aerospace, as well as in the military and defense sectors.

Theradigm develops stem-cell-based therapies to treat diseases of the central nervous system. Building upon promising pre-clinical data, Theradigm is initially pursuing treatments for stroke and spinal cord injury. Other treatments under development will address traumatic brain injury. Theradigm's stem cells are used to provide trophic support, and potentially to rescue or replace injured tissue in the central nervous system.

Threewide Corporation is a marketing services and data management software company whose products and services allow residential real estate participants to better control, distribute and market real estate listings. With its ListExporter and ListSecure products, Threewide has an installed base of 35 of the largest MLSs in the country representing 1/3 of agents nationwide. Threewide is one of a few companies that operate on both sides of the data wall between brokers and MLSs and holds a unique position to offer brokers a platform for processing the flow of real estate information.

Trophogen is a leader in the development of human glycoprotein hormones and the broad family of cystine-knot growth factors. Trophogen uses its proprietary technology to create super-analogs (both super-agonists and super-antagonists) of these growth factors, with much greater efficacy and potency than the ordinary wild types of these growth factors. The company's first products are focused on the treatment of infertility, especially in patients who may not respond to existing drug therapies. The company also has under development products targeting thyroid related diseases, such as thyroid cancer and goiter, as well as osteoporosis. The company's platform technology is also applicable to a wide range of other diseases, including cardiovascular and neurological disorders.

Vesta Therapeutics develops cell therapies for liver disease (including cirrhosis related to hepatitis, and metabolic diseases) and liver damage (for example, from toxins or severe allergic reactions). Vesta's therapies make use of hepatocytes (liver cells), progenitor cells or stem cells. Vesta has made significant progress in developing proprietary methods of isolating, characterizing, culturing and manufacturing, cryopreserving and storing human mature hepatocytes and progenitor cells directly from donated liver tissue. Clinical data show that transplanted hepatocytes are well tolerated and beneficial to those with chronic and acute liver failure and specific metabolic disorders. The company's first therapeutic program has been approved by the FDA for early-stage clinical trials.

Vet-Stem, Inc. was formed in 2002 to bring regenerative medicine to the veterinary profession. Vet-Stem is the first company in the U.S. to offer stem and regenerative cell therapy to the veterinary profession. Regenerative technologies include adipose derived stem and regenerative cell therapy, and platelet rich plasma products and services for equine and small animal veterinarians. Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell Therapy^™ has been used by hundreds of veterinarians on thousands of animals since 2004. Primary indications are tendon and ligament repair and osteoarthritis. Internal medicine and autoimmune applications are in development.

Vital Therapies, Inc. (VTI) is developing the first human liver cell-based Extracorporeal Liver Assist Device (ELAD^®) for patients with serious liver disease/liver failure. ELAD^® provides metabolic support by processing toxins and synthesizing proteins that are key products of normal human liver function. ELAD^® is comprised of four hollow fiber cartridges containing human liver cells and mounted on an extracorporeal blood pumping unit. VTI uses a proprietary immortal cell line – C3A – that can be maintained in the cartridges and shipped worldwide. The WHO identified the worldwide market for acute-on-chronic liver failure at approximately 12 million patients. ELAD® clinical development is initially occurring in China where there are over 400,000 deaths each year from liver disease; market approval is expected by late 2007. Clinical development in the US is targeted for market approval in late 2009. Toucan invested in VTI’s Series B round along with MedVenture Associates, Valley Ventures and Heights Capital Management.

Vivo Biosciences Inc. (VBI) is an early-stage biotech company developing novel, disruptive human bioassay platforms for preclinical research, drug discovery, and therapeutics. VBI relies on its patented HuBiogel™ technology which emulates the biology of both normal and disease states. Unlike standard cell-based models, HuBiogel supports multicellular growth and functions, thereby mimicking true biology of human tissues. VBI has developed a series of new 3-D or tissue-like assay models for rapid analysis of drug efficacy, toxicity and therapeutic endpoints – which constitute the major bottlenecks of current drug discovery pipelines. Our preclinical bioassay platform, possessing superior biologic relevance, is enormously valuable for providing critical ‘go or no-go’ decisions prior to expensive clinical trials. This advanced technology, now available world-wide, is also adaptable to cell therapeutics and functional genomics applications.