logo
BioSapien extends Pre-series A funding round to over $8mln - with new investment from Globivest

BioSapien extends Pre-series A funding round to over $8mln - with new investment from Globivest

Zawya6 days ago
New world-class talent for BioSapien also revealed: technological, operational, and medical excellence to shape future of precision medicine
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E – BioSapien (the 'Company'), the pioneering biotech company behind MediChip™, a revolutionary localized cancer treatment platform - announces a new extension to its pre-Series A funding round and the appointment of new talent across the business - including Joseph Borrello PhD as Chief Technology Officer, Sonia Ramamoorthy MD MBA FACS as Head of Medical Affairs, Agnes Westelinck PharmD as Head of Regulatory U.S., Dirk Richter MD FACS as Head of Regulatory U.A.E., David Briere PhD as Director of Pharmacology, and Jerry Webb BSc as Head of Quality.
BioSapien is delighted to welcome Globivest as an investor in the pre-Series A funding round. Globivest is the first women-led, gender lens venture capital fund from the MENA region - and has expertise in Life Sciences.
BioSapien's pre-Series A funding total is now over $8 million, with investors including Global Ventures - a leading VC firm in MENA; plus Golden Gate Ventures and Dara Holdings.
Globivest's stated mission is to break the myth that opposes capital returns to impact-driven models. Championing the WHO's 'One Health' approach, it specializes in innovative and scalable early-stage startups that drive health, social, and environmental change - making BioSapien an ideal fit for its portfolio.
BioSapien also announces the acquisition of world-class talent across all tiers of the Company – with 12 new appointments. In addition to the appointments listed above, other new talent includes Zhiyu Xia PhD as Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Gaurav Vij MBA as Business Officer, Nancy Sperling MS MS as the QC Lead, Nivedita Sivakumar PharmD MS as Documentation and Compliance Manager, Manny Valenza BA as Clinical Development Associate and Jared Rice BA as the Research and Operations Lead.
Dr. Khatija Ali, CEO of BioSapien, said:
'Two of the greatest challenges for young, fast-growing companies are establishing a strong balance sheet and attracting high-quality talent. Therefore, I am delighted to announce an extension of BioSapien's pre-Series A funding round. As a female-led healthcare fund in the MENA region - and backed by EU pharma - we are proud to have Globivest as an investor and strategic partner.
'Similarly, it gives me great pleasure to welcome new, world-class colleagues across all tiers of the Company. A business is only as good as its people - so it is thrilling to be joined by such high-quality, diverse talent. Together, we will shape a future where precision medicine is both globally impactful and locally accessible.'
Dr. Laura-Joy Boulos, Partner at Globivest, commented:
'At Globivest, we back companies that don't just promise innovation - they deliver transformative, science-backed solutions with the power to shift paradigms. BioSapien's MediChip™ platform is a breakthrough in localized cancer treatment - scalable, precise, and deeply aligned with our One Health mission. We're proud to support Dr. Khatija Ali and her team as they build the future of accessible precision medicine.'
Further information
Thoburns
Johanna Lawson-Dick
BioSapien@thoburns.com
About BioSapien
BioSapien is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the future of localized drug delivery through its proprietary biodegradable 3D-printed delivery platform. Headquartered between the United States and the UAE, BioSapien's flagship technology, MediChip™, enables sustained, targeted release of chemotherapeutics directly at the tumor site—minimizing systemic toxicity and revolutionizing cancer care. The company is backed by global experts in oncology, materials science, and regulatory strategy, and is preparing for its first-in-human clinical trials.
As part of the UAE's growing biotech ecosystem, BioSapien is aligned with the nation's vision to advance precision medicine, health innovation, and localized manufacturing capabilities. With a clear regulatory pathway, strong IP portfolio, and transformational applications beyond oncology - including infectious disease and post-operative care - BioSapien is positioned to become a cornerstone of the UAE's sovereign biotech ambitions.
For more information, visit www.biosapien.com.
About Globivest
Globivest is the first women-led, gender-lens impact investment fund from the MENA region, championing the WHO's One Health approach. The fund blends financial returns with meaningful, science-backed impact, investing in tech-driven, early-stage startups at the intersection of health, social, and environmental innovation. With a footprint across EMEA and the Americas, Globivest supports cross-border scale and market expansion.
A key differentiator lies in Globivest's partnership with Sci-dip, a digital health platform founded by Globivest partner Dr. Laura-Joy Boulos, connecting the fund to a network of over 10,000 PhD experts. This collaboration enhances scientific due diligence and positions Globivest as a trusted co-investor for top-tier VC firms — particularly in life sciences, where depth of domain expertise is essential.
Managing partner Jasmine Busson is a Kauffman Fellow, joining a global network of elite investors responsible for over $8.5T in exits.
With Fund II now officially closed and a growing portfolio of nine companies, Globivest is emerging as a leading force in science-driven impact investing in the region.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Saudi Arabia: UAE, GCC residents can now invest in main stock market
Saudi Arabia: UAE, GCC residents can now invest in main stock market

Khaleej Times

time38 minutes ago

  • Khaleej Times

Saudi Arabia: UAE, GCC residents can now invest in main stock market

Saudi Arabia's Capital Market Authority (CMA) announced that residents of the UAE and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are now permitted to invest directly in the kingdom's main stock market. The regulatory update aims to enhance the appeal of Saudi Arabia's capital market to both regional and international investors. According to the CMA, this move is expected to boost investor protection, build market confidence, attract foreign investment, and increase market liquidity —ultimately contributing to the growth of the local economy. Under the revised regulations, GCC residents can now directly trade in the main market, Tadawul. Previously, their access was limited to the debt market, the parallel market (Nomu), investment funds, and the derivatives market. Their participation in the main market was restricted to swap agreements via capital market institutions, where investment decisions were made on their behalf. The amendments also allow individual foreign investors who previously resided in Saudi Arabia or other GCC countries to maintain their investment accounts and continue trading in listed shares on the main market—even after leaving the region—provided they had opened an investment account while residing in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia hosts the largest stock market in the Gulf region. In the first half of 2025, it recorded a trading value of $183.5 billion. In comparison, Abu Dhabi posted $48.9 billion, Kuwait $41.1 billion, Dubai $22.8 billion, Qatar $14.6 billion, Muscat $2.4 billion, and Bahrain $1.24 billion.

Khazna, Eni join forces to develop 500MW AI data centre campus near Milan
Khazna, Eni join forces to develop 500MW AI data centre campus near Milan

Al Etihad

time40 minutes ago

  • Al Etihad

Khazna, Eni join forces to develop 500MW AI data centre campus near Milan

13 July 2025 18:29 ROME (ALETIHAD)In a significant leap for Europe's digital infrastructure, Khazna Data Centers, a UAE-based hyperscale digital infrastructure leader, and Eni, the Italian global energy company, have signed a Head of Terms (HoT) agreement to establish a joint venture to develop a 500-megawatt AI data centre campus in Ferrera Erbognone, Lombardy, signing ceremony took place in Rome on Friday, in the presence of Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Adolfo Urso, Italy's Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, alongside other senior officials. The agreement was signed by Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO of Khazna Data Centers, and Guido Brusco, Eni's Chief Operating Officer for Global Natural strategic initiative marks a major milestone in the UAE-Italy cooperation framework, which was reinforced during the state visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to Italy in February 2025. The visit laid the groundwork for a broader partnership in artificial intelligence, energy transition, and digital upcoming campus will feature state-of-the-art, energy-efficient infrastructure built specifically to support high-density AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. It will be powered by Eni's proprietary 'Blue Power'—a low-carbon energy source generated by a high-efficiency Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant equipped with carbon capture capabilities. This integration of decarbonised energy with AI data infrastructure is a first-of-its-kind in Italy, symbolising a new era in sustainable digital project is the first phase of a larger programme that aims to install up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of total IT capacity across Italy. Under the HoT, Khazna is appointed as the main partner to design and execute a phased master plan to deliver the 500MW data Alnaqbi, CEO of Khazna Data Centers, stated: 'We're proud to partner with Eni, a demonstrated energy leader, on this HoT, which represents a defining step in Khazna's European expansion. Together with Eni, we are enabling the infrastructure needed for exponential AI growth—delivering the scale, sustainability, and operational precision that next-generation compute demands.'Guido Brusco, COO Global Natural Resources of Eni, added: 'Through this partnership, Eni and Khazna are jointly contributing to delivering a world-class hyperscale infrastructure, strategic for Italy and Europe, providing their distinctive capabilities in innovation, energy sustainability and rapid time-to-market.' The agreement outlines the key principles, governance framework, and roles for a dedicated joint venture company that will oversee and fast-track the delivery of this strategic digital infrastructure.

Dubai awards $172m contract to ease traffic near DIFC and DWTC with new bridges, tunnels and roads
Dubai awards $172m contract to ease traffic near DIFC and DWTC with new bridges, tunnels and roads

Arabian Business

timean hour ago

  • Arabian Business

Dubai awards $172m contract to ease traffic near DIFC and DWTC with new bridges, tunnels and roads

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a major AED 633m ($172m) contract to upgrade Al Mustaqbal Street as part of its ambitious plan to enhance urban mobility, support economic growth, and boost quality of life across the emirate. The Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project will stretch from Za'abeel Palace Street to Financial Centre Street and includes the construction of new tunnels and a bridge totalling 1.7km, plus a full street widening to four lanes in each direction. The upgrade will increase capacity by 33 per cent—handling up to 8,800 vehicles per hour—and slash travel times from 13 minutes to just 6. Al Mustaqbal Street in Dubai upgrades Three tunnels (1.2km total) A three-lane tunnel toward Deira (4,500 vehicles/hour) A two-lane bi-directional tunnel serving traffic between Deira and Jebel Ali (3,000 vehicles/hour) A single-lane tunnel for One Central access (1,500 vehicles/hour) Bridge construction A 450m, two-lane bridge from DWTC to Za'abeel Palace Street Five additional bridges (5km total) connecting Sheikh Zayed Road with other major roads Street widening Al Mustaqbal Street expanded over 3.5km from three to four lanes per direction Intersections and ramps Free-flowing ramps at Exhibition and Trade Centre Streets Surface-level conversion of Trade Centre Roundabout to improve flow to Sheikh Zayed Road and 2nd December Street Pedestrian and cycling upgrades Pedestrian bridge over Al Sukook Street Dedicated cycling tracks and upgraded walkways Decorative lighting and urban spaces for community use The initiative will significantly enhance access to and from key commercial and financial districts such as the Dubai World Trade Centre, DIFC, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, and Za'abeel. RTA estimates the improvements will benefit approximately 500,000 residents and visitors. Linked and parallel projects Oud Metha and Al Asayel Streets upgrade (ongoing): 4.3km of bridges, 14km of roads, serving more than 420,000 residents by 2030. Expected to cut travel time by 50 per cent Al Khail Road development (recently completed): 3.3km of new bridges and 6.8km of road widening. Reduced travel times by 30 per cent and added 19,600 vehicles/hour capacity #RTA has awarded the contract for the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project, which forms part of a broader project that includes the development of the Trade Centre Roundabout, one of Dubai's critical intersections linking Sheikh Zayed Road with five major arterial roads. The… — RTA (@rta_dubai) July 13, 2025 Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said: 'Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project forms part of a broader project that includes the development of the Trade Centre Roundabout, with construction works having commenced in the last quarter of last year. 'The project will serve several key commercial, residential, and development zones, most notably the Dubai World Trade Centre, which has been the region's premier venue for international events and exhibitions for over four decades. 'It hosts major global exhibitions and conferences such as GITEX, Arabian Travel Market, Arab Health, Gulfood, and the Transport Exhibition, among others. 'The project will also serve Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It will further enhance connectivity to key areas, including Za'abeel, Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay. 'The project is expected to benefit approximately half a million residents and visitors'.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store