UAE and US-based biotech company BioSapien has successfully extended its pre-Series A funding round to over $8 million, welcoming Globivest as a new strategic investor. The funding milestone positions the company to accelerate development of its revolutionary MediChip™ platform, a breakthrough technology for localized cancer treatment.
Innovative Drug Delivery Platform
BioSapien's flagship product, MediChip™, represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment delivery. The 3D-printed, slow-release drug delivery platform can be attached to any tissue while minimizing systemic side effects. This localized approach to cancer treatment offers the potential to deliver targeted therapy directly to tumor sites, reducing the widespread toxicity associated with traditional systemic chemotherapy.
Founded in 2018 by Dr. Khatija Ali, BioSapien has positioned itself at the forefront of precision medicine innovation. The company's approach addresses a critical unmet need in oncology by providing a platform that enables precise, localized drug delivery.
Strategic Investment and Expansion
The extended funding round brings together a diverse group of investors committed to healthcare innovation. Globivest, the first women-led, gender lens venture capital fund from the MENA region with expertise in Life Sciences, joins existing backers Global Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, and Dara Holdings.
Dr. Laura-Joy Boulos, Partner at Globivest, emphasized the strategic alignment: "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."
Globivest's investment philosophy centers on breaking the perceived opposition between capital returns and impact-driven models. The fund champions the WHO's 'One Health' approach, specializing in innovative and scalable early-stage startups that drive health, social, and environmental change.
Leadership Team Expansion
The funding will support significant organizational growth, with BioSapien announcing 12 new executive appointments across critical functions. Key leadership additions include Joseph Borrello, PhD, as Chief Technology Officer, and Sonia Ramamoorthy, MD MBA FACS, as Head of Medical Affairs.
Additional strategic hires span regulatory affairs, with Agnes Westelinck, PharmD, as Head of Regulatory U.S., and Dirk Richter, MD FACS, as Head of Regulatory U.A.E. The company has also strengthened its scientific capabilities with David Briere, PhD, as Director of Pharmacology, and Jerry Webb, BSc, as Head of Quality.
The expanded team includes manufacturing expertise through Zhiyu Xia, PhD, as Senior Manufacturing Engineer, and business development capabilities with Gaurav Vij, MBA, as Business Officer. Quality control and compliance functions are reinforced by Nancy Sperling, MS MS, as QC Lead, and Nivedita Sivakumar, PharmD MS, as Documentation and Compliance Manager.
Vision for Precision Medicine
Dr. Khatija Ali, CEO of BioSapien, highlighted the significance of the funding and team expansion: "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."
The CEO emphasized the company's commitment to accessible innovation: "Together, we will shape a future where precision medicine is both globally impactful and locally accessible." This vision aligns with the growing demand for personalized cancer treatments that can deliver superior efficacy while reducing patient burden.
The successful funding round and strategic team expansion position BioSapien to advance its MediChip™ platform through critical development phases, potentially transforming how localized cancer treatments are delivered to patients worldwide.
