tbSeptember 2025: Speaking events, a Big Pharma collab, and insider rounds
Hey, this is Michael from The Bioentrepreneurs: Stanford, UCSF, Berkeley. Each month, I bring you key updates and exclusive insights straight from the teams driving innovation across these cutting-edge life sciences ecosystem.
Here's what's happening in September 2025:
This Month's Companies
Cache DNA [Seed, Life Sciences Tools/Laboratory Infrastructure]
Hiring: As part of Cache DNA's recent $1.25 million NSF SBIR Phase II SBIR grant, Cache is recruiting a new chemist to support the expanding materials science efforts. If you or anyone you know may be a good fit for this Head of Chemistry position, please reach out to [email protected]!
Cache will be on the road at several events this upcoming month, raising awareness about its innovations for ambient molecular preservation. Reach out if you'll be at any of these events!
AGBT Precision Health (September 8-10th, San Diego, CA)
Startup World Cup Regional Final (September 10, 5 – 8 pm at Cal State East Bay) - selected as a top 10 finalist!
MedInvest & Biopharma Pitch Conference (September 24-25th, Palo Alto, CA)
Enable Medicine [Revenue Stage Life Sciences Data Company]
In collaboration with the Zou Lab at Stanford, published ROSIE in Nature Communications: a deep learning model that generates high-plex immunofluorescence data from H&E images. This model was trained on data from 13 disease types, spanning over 16 million cells. Enable is working to commercialize this technology alongside its pan-cancer atlas, which contains similar paired H&E and multiplexed immunofluorescence data across over 15 indications and over 100 million cells. Reach out if you're interested in trying the model on your own data.
Juvena Therapeutics [A, Therapeutics]
Signed a multi-target licensing and research collaboration with Lilly to discover, develop, and commercialize drug candidates that improve muscle health and body composition
The collaboration will identify muscle targeting drug candidates from Juvena’s proprietary library of human stem-cell secreted proteins for improved body composition and muscle health.
Juvena will receive an upfront payment, equity investment, and potential development and commercialization milestones
N1 Life [Pre-A, Drug Delivery Tech]
Will be attending the MakeUp in NewYork conference on September 17–18! Their team will be sharing insights on Absotride, their proprietary peptide-based skin penetration technology platform, which enhances the penetration and bioavailability of active ingredients in skin tissue. Absotride unlocks new possibilities in dermatology therapeutics, hair & scalp care, and advanced skincare applications. They look forward to connecting with exhibitors and industry partners during the event.
If you are attending the event and would like to learn more or meet with them, please reach out to Lynzee Havert ([email protected]) to arrange a time.
Nextnet [Seed, Research Software]
Proprietary Data Flywheel:
Finalizing multiple revenue-share partnerships with leading data providers -- from the world’s largest reagents database to a global drug content provider and a major distributor of scientific papers and conference materials. Together, they’ll be co-selling Nextnet into their customer bases, which include the top 10 global pharma companies among others.
Think of it as a “Spotify for trustworthy scientific evidence”. These partnerships will unlock paywalled premium life sciences content, providing high-value insights within Nextnet subscription plans, expand distribution, and strengthen Nextnet’s competitive moat
Enterprise Traction:
Nearing close on a six-figure ACV deal with a major European biotech.
Their growing sales pipeline includes one of Europe’s largest healthcare institutions, major CRO, etc.
Scaling GTM reseller agreements across the US and Europe.
Fundraising: raising up to $3M in a pre-Series A SAFE. To date, they've secured a $1M soft commitment from a California VC, with participation from Hike Ventures and several angels and advisors. Email [email protected] for more details.
Product Launch: paid subscription plans are going live this month. Sign up for free here
Parallel Health [Seed, Consumer Health]
Parallel Health has opened a small insiders' investment round specifically for dermatologists, inflammatory/chronic disease specialists, and strategic angels. If this is of interest, please contact [email protected]
Watch "Bacteriophages Could Save 40M Lives by 2050", featuring the Parallel Health Team
"Your microbiome is as unique as your fingerprint." Listen to CEO Natalise Kalea Robinson discuss insights about the skin microbiome on the podcast The Growth Layer
Range Biotechnologies [Seed, Dx/Tools]
Is in the depths of fundraising their Series A!
TwoStep Therapeutics [Seed, Therapeutics]
Caitlyn Miller, CEO and Co-Founder, will be speaking at the ADC & Novel Conjugates Partnering & Investment Summit in Boston on September 9-10
Where you can find me this month:
Thursday, September 25th: Building a Biotech: Company Creation 101 (South San Francisco)
Notable Events and Programs to Apply For:
NEW certification course that anyone (Stanford and outside) can register for. Learn about the Foundations of AI + Healthspan science, using AI as a collaborator in Aging Science & Intervention Design, Systems Biology, Vaccines, Predictive Models, and Human Futures. Co-taught by (the other) Mike Snyder and Ronjon Nag of Agemica (and other endeavors including R42 Group).
