Gap-filling alliance
BioPontis Alliance LLCis taking a fresh approach to addressing the translational gap-instead of taking discoveries from universities and forming companies, BioPontis starts with its knowledge of industry's portfolio needs and works backward. The company hopes to close a $50 million pilot fund by year end and start its first two R&D projects early next year.
The model is one of a number of experiments that early stage investors are running to solve the translational gap.These include VCs such as Atlas Venture and Index Ventures that are setting up single-project companies with minimal infrastructure,1,2 as well as firms like PureTech Ventures that start with an unmet need, look for potential solutions in academia,then establish companies to drive these solutions to clinical and commercial milestones...