Latest news with #BioSapien
Zawya
09-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
BioSapien extends pre-Series A funding round to $8mln
UAE – BioSapien has extended its pre-Series A round to over $8 million, adding Globivest to its list of backers, alongside Global Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, and Dara Holdings. Globivest is the first women-led, gender lens venture capital fund from the MENA region, according to a press release. The healthtech platform also announces the acquisition of world-class talent with 12 new appointments, including Zhiyu Xia PhD as Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Gaurav Vij MBA as Business Officer, and Nancy Sperling MS MS as the QC Lead. Founded in 2018, BioSapien offers a flagship product, MediChip™, which is a drug delivery, 3D-printed, slow-release delivery platform attachable to any tissue with minimal systemic side effects. 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.' She added: '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.' In January 2025, BioSapien extended its pre-Series A funding round to $7 million to tackle escalating cancer rates by leveraging advanced 3D printing technology. During December 2024, the biotech company secured a $5.50 million pre-Series A funding round. All Rights Reserved - Mubasher Info © 2005 - 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Wamda
07-07-2025
- Business
- Wamda
BioSapien extends pre-Series A to $8 million, onboards Globivest as investor
UAE and US-based healthtech BioSapien has extended its pre-Series A round to over $8 million, adding Globivest to its list of backers, alongside Global Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, and Dara Holdings. Founded in 2018 by Khatija Ali, BioSapien offers a flagship product, MediChip™, which is a drug delivery, 3D-printed, slow-release delivery platform attachable to any tissue with minimal systemic side effects. The funding will support product development and global expansion, with 12 new executives hired across R&D, medical affairs, regulatory, and operations. Key appointments include Joseph Borrello as CTO and Sonia Ramamoorthy as Head of Medical Affairs. Press release: BioSapien, the pioneering biotech company behind MediChip™, a revolutionary localised 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 specialises 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 localised 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.'
CairoScene
07-07-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
UAE-Based Healthtech BioSapien Secures $8 Million Pre-Series A
Backed by Globivest and regional investors, BioSapien's expanded funding round will support regulatory approvals, pilot studies, and broader market expansion of its FDA-cleared drug delivery platform. Jul 07, 2025 BioSapien, a UAE-based healthtech startup, has extended its Pre-Series A round to over $8 million. The startup, which specialises in cancer-focused drug delivery systems, raised the additional capital from UAE VC firm Globivest alongside a group of international and regional investors. The funding will be used to advance BioSapien's flagship product - a biodegradable implant designed to deliver chemotherapy directly to tumour sites. The solution aims to reduce systemic toxicity and improve targeted treatment outcomes for cancer patients. The latest capital injection will support regulatory approvals, including FDA pathways, preclinical studies, and commercial pilots in select international markets. Founded in the US and now operating out of the UAE, BioSapien represents a growing trend of biotech startups relocating to or expanding within the region as healthcare innovation becomes a focal point for MENA investors. With the extended funding round, the company is also looking to expand its research team and build additional partnerships with healthcare providers. The firm's core mission is to transform how chemotherapy is delivered, making it more efficient, less invasive, and ultimately more effective. According to BioSapien, its technology has already shown promising results in initial lab and animal studies, and the startup is now preparing to move toward first-in-human trials.
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
BioSapien extends Pre-series A funding round to over $8mln - with new investment from Globivest
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@ 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 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.
Khaleej Times
17-04-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Chemo without side effects? Healthcare startups redefine treatment, prevention of illness
From wearable baby thermometers to AI-generated digital twins, health tech is moving faster than ever. During the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week event, startups from around the world showcased innovations that promise to reshape how we treat, monitor, and even prevent illness. Innovative startups in the healthcare industry are redefining how we look at health and medicine. Here are some of their creations: Eliminating side effects Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment but often comes with harsh side effects, including loss of appetite, nausea, and hair loss. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. To combat this, a New York-based company, BioSapien is developing a 3D-printed biodegradable mesh that delivers chemotherapy drugs directly to the site of the tumor, thus minimising harm to the rest of the body. Rolling out their first human clinical trials in Abu Dhabi soon, BioSapien CTO Joseph Borrelo said that the company met with the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, to be able to move to the next phase. He said, 'You'll get all the benefits of chemotherapy without the detriments. That's what we've seen in our animal pre-clinical testing and that's what we're preparing to do for our first in-human trial.' Building a biological twin Two startups are reimagining how we think about personal health data, by turning it into something you can actually see: a digital twin. BioTwin builds virtual replicas of individuals using just a few drops of blood, combined with data from wearables and health records. 'Using artificial intelligence, we can track up to 200,000 different biomarkers,' Noel said. These samples are collected regularly to form what he calls a 'virtual twin' that can assist with early detection of diseases. Meanwhile, eMedSupport is applying AI to improve care for cardiovascular patients. Created by cardiologist and researcher Dr Denis, the system builds digital patient profiles by analysing electronic health records against clinical guidelines. It then helps doctors assess risk factors, adjust treatment plans, and even predict outcomes over time. 'As a physician, it's hard when a patient has multiple conditions,' he said. 'This platform makes it easier to find the right treatment path.' With support from major health systems in the GCC, eMedSupport is also working with Cleveland Clinic on predictive models for cholesterol levels and disease progression. Affordable prosthetics Truelimbs manufactures artificial body parts for those who need help with mobility. However, unlike your typical prosthetics company, Truelimbs is centered around affordability and low costs. Mansour Hamada, the founder and CEO of the prosthetic company, said that Truelimbs manufactures prosthetics for '$5,000 to $10,000, depending on the level and the type of prosthetic we make, whereas the average price for prosthetics in the market today are $50,000 to $70,000. The Egyptian native said he has worked on this project for 19 years, with the stated goal of affordability in mind. 'Because of the Egyptian market and the [UAE] market, it's like a commercial market, people can't afford the cost of the prosthetic limbs. At the same time, we want to make it affordable for everyone. That's how the idea of making a low-cost prosthetic limb started,' he said. Hamada explained that the process of obtaining a prosthetic limb includes a series of steps, which begins with a consultation and moves to receiving a mock limb. The mock limb is printed using a 3D printer along with a socket for fitting, and ends with some training for a person to get used to their new artificial limb. Wearable thermometer for babies Raising a newborn baby can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to your baby's high fever. Serbian company BabyFM aims to reduce that anxiety with a wearable thermometer that continuously monitors the baby's temperature and sends real-time alerts to an app. By fixing the thermometer to a baby's body in a non-invasive way, the device can constantly feed information to the BabyFM app and even create a curve of when temperatures drop or rise. Co-founder Dr Dzihan Abazovic said, 'It's originally built with the idea to help and support the parents when you have, especially the first baby, when it has a temperature, you are not sleeping all night.' Though it has still not been rolled out in the UAE, Abazovic said it will be introduced in early June.
