About
ExploreBio is a pre-seed-investment vehicle targeted at funding early-stage biotechnology companies and providing management services for proof-of-concept experiments in biotechnology. Incubated companies will also be given the opportunity to work at Merck's BioIncubator facilities in Yavne. The 20-million-value initiative is a partnership between the strategic corporate venture capital arm of Merck and other three investors: Arkin Holdings, Pontifax, and the China-based international company WuXi ApptecWuxi App, an R&D services subcontractor with an active branch in Israel. The firm enables accelerated founding of companies too early for normal venture capital investment. The aim is to give entrepreneurs the benefit of the consortium's experience in founding companies, not only providing capital but also structuring and de-risking breakthrough discoveries by accelerating their development to proof of concept. The added benefit for the entrepreneur is the hands-on support and automated syndication of risky opportunities, which comes with access to quicker and easier follow-on capital after having reached the proof-of-concept stage. ExploreBio aims to invest 1 million to 1.5 million per company across up to four investments per year over a period of five years.
Portfolio · 3
Investment activity
1 portfolio exit on record.
Portfolio by sector
Q&A
- What is ExploreBio's primary investment focus?
- ExploreBio is a pre-seed investment vehicle focused on funding early-stage biotechnology companies and providing management services for proof-of-concept experiments in biotechnology.
- Which investors partnered with Merck to establish ExploreBio?
- ExploreBio was established as a partnership between Merck's strategic corporate venture capital arm, Arkin Holdings, Pontifax, and WuXi Apptec.
- What is the typical investment amount per company for ExploreBio?
- ExploreBio aims to invest between $1 million to $1.5 million per company.
- How many investments does ExploreBio typically make per year?
- ExploreBio aims to make up to four investments per year over a period of five years.
- What is a notable exit for ExploreBio?
- In February 2023, Immunorizon, a portfolio company of ExploreBio, was acquired by Purple Biotech for $100 million.
- Which sectors does ExploreBio concentrate its investments in?
- ExploreBio's investments are concentrated in the Health Tech & Life Sciences sector, with all three of its portfolio companies operating in this area.
- Can you name some of ExploreBio's portfolio companies?
- ExploreBio's portfolio includes Immunorizon, which focuses on T- and NK-cell Engagers for Cancer Therapy.
- What is the role of Dr. Alon Lazarus at ExploreBio?
- Dr. Alon Lazarus serves as the Chairman of ExploreBio.
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Identifiers & details
| Founded | 2017 |
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