Apollo Health Ventures

The conversation around longevity science is evolving – but how do we separate real progress from hype? A recent The New York Times article reflects on the centuries-old pursuit of longevity, blending science, speculation, and skepticism. In response, our Co-Founder and Venture Partner, Alexandra Sharon Bause, PhD, shares why scientific rigor matters more than ever, how biological age assessments are transforming the field, and why validating real human benefits is key to progress. Read her perspective and join the conversation through the link in the comments. #ApolloVC #Healthspan #Longevity #LifescienceVC #VentureCapital

Our portfolio company, Auron Therapeutics, Inc., is entering the clinic. With the FDA greenlighting their investigational drug, AUTX-703, and a $27M Series B raise, the company is set to initiate Phase 1 trials in hematologic malignancies. Backed by fellow leading investors, including DCVC Bio, Mubadala Capital, Polaris Partners, Qiming Venture Partners, and Arkin Bio Ventures, this financing validates Auron’s AURIGIN™ platform and its pioneering approach to targeting cell-state plasticity in oncology and inflammatory disease. Auron’s work has the potential to redefine precision medicine, and we’re excited to be part of it. Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/e982WsNG #ApolloVC #Healthspan #Longevity #LifescienceVC #VentureCapital

Our Medium article, “The Most Promising Longevity Drugs To Date,” has been updated to include the latest findings in longevity science. We explore the latest data on rapamycin, acarbose, and other promising interventions, exploring their effects on animal models and their potential for human applications. Whether you’re following longevity research closely or just starting to explore the field, our article provides a scientifically grounded look at the latest advancements: https://lnkd.in/eSNVasHh #ApolloVC #Healthspan #Longevity #LifescienceVC #VentureCapital

As we enter the new year, we want to reflect on some of the highlights of the last year.  2024 emphasized the potential and challenges of developing longevity medicines. Turning ideas into solutions isn’t straightforward, but our portfolio companies have progressed notably. Furthermore, early collaboration with pharma partners confirmed our portfolio’s relevance and potential to transform healthcare. Thank you for being part of our journey – we look forward to 2025. #ApolloVC #Healthspan #Longevity #LifescienceVC #VentureCapital

Our portfolio company, Ochre Bio, was spotlighted as an “Up & Comer” in the Top 10 Spatial Biology Companies of 2024 by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News for their innovative use of AI and human tissue-based platforms in liver disease research: https://lnkd.in/g8BmBsF2 Researchers at Boston University and Boston Medical Center (BMC) are investigating reprogrammed stem cells from individuals over 100 years old to uncover the secrets of longevity. Early studies provide exciting insights into brain aging and healthy lifespan extension: https://lnkd.in/gC3YxvPs   HAYA Therapeutics, another portfolio company, has been recognized by the Swiss Innovation Agency, Innosuisse, for their work in targeting the “dark genome” to develop innovative RNA-based therapies for chronic diseases, including cardiac fibrosis. Watch their success story video here: https://lnkd.in/djAJ-Rx9    #ICYDK #ApolloVC #Lifespan #Healthspan #Longevity #VentureCapital

Our portfolio company, Ochre Bio, has been listed as one of “20 startups to watch” in 2024 by Sifted, an online magazine backed by The Financial Times, for its AI-driven drug discovery in liver disease: https://lnkd.in/eimQzZ8X A new €100 M healthcare fund is emerging in Europe, signaling strong momentum in longevity-focused investments: Read more about it in the Longevity.Technology article: https://lnkd.in/es2smwbJ A collaborative effort at ETH Zürich has published a new cell atlas of human neural organoids, enabling researchers to replicate brain development better and explore neurological diseases: https://lnkd.in/dSKA88P8 #ICYDK #ApolloVC #Lifespan #Healthspan #Longevity #VentureCapital

We are thrilled to announce that our portfolio company, Refoxy Pharma, has successfully raised €9.1 M in a seed-extension financing round. This investment, led by Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund with participation from Apollo Health Ventures, NRW.BANK Venture, and HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds, will accelerate the preclinical development of Refoxy’s novel FOXO3 activators targeting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). IPF is a chronic, age-related lung disease that affects approximately three million people worldwide with limited treatment options. Refoxy’s innovative approach focuses on modulating the FOXO3 transcription factor, a gene associated with longevity, to combat disease progression. For more details, read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/dTaXtFSg #ApolloVC #Healthspan #Longevity #LifescienceVC #VentureCapital

Meet our COO, Dr. Anela Vukoja, at the BioFIT Event in Lille, France, from December 3rd to 4th. This event is a platform for connecting innovators, investors, and industry leaders in biotech. Anela will also be judging pitch sessions, bringing her expertise to evaluate biotech projects and support the next generation of healthcare innovation. She will also be participating on the panel “Biotech investors’ forecast: Where will early-stage investment go in 2025?” – alongside Florian Denis (Elaia), Oliver Boucher (Zoetis), Frank Hensel (HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds), and Philippe Monteyne ( Aliath Bioventures). Reach out if you are in town or let us know via email: info@apollo.vc #BioFIT2024 #ApolloVC #Healthspan #Longevity #LifescienceVC #VentureCapital

Our portfolio company HAYA Therapeutics recently joined ‘The Bio Report’ podcast to explore the ‘dark genome.’ Samir Ounzain shares how HAYA is harnessing the therapeutic potential of long non-coding RNAs, previously thought to be ‘junk DNA’, to address challenging diseases. Listen in to hear more about their partnership with Eli Lilly and Company and its mission to transform treatments for obesity and metabolic conditions: https://lnkd.in/ghg8Y3kq Jan Adams, Partner at Apollo Health Ventures, was featured in Gründerszene, one of Germany’s leading magazines for the startup and digital economy. As biotech continues to thrive as one of Europe’s most highly financed sectors in 2024, he spotlights “Rising Stars” in biotech: https://lnkd.in/efnwpdvc Promising findings from a recent study published in Wiley’s Aging Cell magazine reveal that E5 treatment significantly enhances healthspan, demonstrating its potential to mitigate age-related decline, improving overall vitality and resilience in older animals: https://lnkd.in/ecpdZDGT #ICYDK #ApolloVC #Lifespan #Healthspan #Longevity #VentureCapital

Pascale Eede, PhD, Associate at Apollo Health Ventures, will be joining a panel at Investival Showcase to discuss “Fueling Innovation: Insights from Investors on Current Biotech VC Funding.” Together with Nate Chang (Playground Global), Thomas Goodman (Cooley LLP), and Vanela Bushi (H Tree Capital), she will dive into:                  •                Key criteria for investment in biotech ventures                  •                Navigating trends and challenges in today’s VC landscape                  •                Positioning biotech companies for funding success This discussion promises valuable perspectives for biotech innovators looking to engage with investors and shape the future of healthcare. We’re excited to be part of a dialogue that encourages growth and investment in transformative biotech solutions. Catch this session on November 18th and connect with Pascale if you’re attending Investival! #Investival #ApolloVC #Healthspan #Longevity #LifescienceVC #VentureCapital