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Vivodyne raises $40M for human tissue drug testing

Vivodyne raises $40M for human tissue drug testing

Axios31-05-2025
Vivodyne, a San Francisco-based startup using lab-grown human tissues to discover and develop drugs, raised $40 million in a Series A led by Khosla Ventures.
Why it matters: Vivodyne says demand is "surging" from pharma clients following the FDA's announced plans to "phase out" animal testing requirements in drug development.
Follow the money: New investors include Lingotto Investment Management, Helena Capital and Fortius Ventures.
Existing investors Kairos Ventures, CS Ventures, Bison Ventures and MBX Capital also participated.
Vivodyne has raised about $78 million to date, after a $38 million seed round in 2023.
CEO Andrei Georgescu wouldn't disclose Vivodyne's valuation but said it grew significantly with the Series A.
How it works: Vivodyne is using automated robotic platforms and AI to grow thousands of lab-grown, fully functional human tissues and produce data to discover and develop drugs.
The pre-clinical technology is designed to be used in lieu of animal testing, and Vivodyne says its platform can improve the success rate in human trials.
The platform can produce human bone marrow, lymph nodes, liver and other organs, and model diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, autoimmunity and infections.
Zoom in: Top pharma companies are already testing drugs and therapies using Vivodyne's approach.
"We are a partnerships company that spans the entire breadth of preclinical development," Georgescu says.
The company, which employs about 40 people, also has some of its own drug programs but Georgescu declined to share specific disease targets.
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A weighted vest to increase bone density while walking According to Ho, "Weighted vests increase bone-loading stimulus, especially during walking or bodyweight exercises." To properly use a weighted vest for walking to help with bone density or osteoporosis, Medical News Today suggests trying out a vest without weights first, then adding the lowest possible amount and slowly increasing that amount over time. (It's generally recommended that you start with no more than 10% of your body weight, but always check with your physician first.)To do this, you may be best off with an adjustable vest like this one by Zelus, so you can change the weight. The vest comes in three sizes and two colors, with six removable weights on each vest. The vest is designed to evenly distribute the load, and the neoprene material is strong and comfortable. The vest is also equipped with reflective strips for visibility and a pocket to hold your keys, phone and other essentials. 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A pair of comfortable, supportive shoes Whether or not you buy fancy equipment for your workouts, what you'll always want is a good pair of shoes. "Supportive footwear [is] essential for impact activities like jumping and jogging to prevent joint stress," Ho said, adding that proper footwear can help you avoid it comes to supportive and comfy shoes, we're Hoka fans here, and the Bondi 9s are podiastrist-recommended, to boot. Their plush cushioning and supportive construction have made them a cult favorite for the brand. You can get them in a bunch of colorways and men's sizes 7–16, as well as women's sizes 4– them from Nordstrom for $170 in men's or for $175 in women's. A foam balance pad for balance training Sellmeyer recommended some simple balance exercises, including "standing on each leg for 30 seconds two to three times each day, [and] doing the same standing on a foam balance pad which is more difficult." 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