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Charter Life Sciences

North America, California, United States, Santa Clara

Description

Charter Life Sciences, a venture capital firm based in Santa Clara, California, specializes in funding early-stage opportunities within the clinical-stage biotechnology and medical device sectors. The firm's investment thesis centers on identifying and supporting companies poised to bring innovative therapies and technologies through crucial clinical development phases. With a strategic focus on the high-growth, high-impact areas of life sciences, Charter Life Sciences aims to back ventures that address significant unmet medical needs and demonstrate strong scientific foundations. Their portfolio reflects a commitment to advancing groundbreaking solutions in healthcare.

Since its inception, Charter Life Sciences has built a concentrated portfolio, having made approximately 10 investments according to Crunchbase data. These investments span a range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and central nervous system disorders. The firm often takes a proactive role in its portfolio companies, having acted as the lead investor in 4 of its funding rounds, indicating a willingness to commit substantial capital and guidance to its chosen ventures. This hands-on approach is crucial for navigating the complex and capital-intensive landscape of clinical-stage development.

Charter Life Sciences' portfolio includes notable companies such as AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Cytokinetics, and Intercept Pharmaceuticals, all of which have achieved significant milestones, including public listings or advanced clinical progress. These investments underscore the firm's expertise in identifying promising candidates within the highly specialized biotechnology and medical device industries. While specific typical check sizes are not publicly disclosed, their participation in multi-million dollar clinical-stage rounds suggests a capacity for significant capital deployment, aligning with the substantial funding requirements of their target companies.

The firm's strategic location in Santa Clara, a hub of innovation, further positions it to access cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial talent in the life sciences. Charter Life Sciences remains a key player for early-stage companies seeking capital and strategic partnership to advance their clinical pipelines and bring life-changing products to market.

Investor Profile

Charter Life Sciences has backed more than 21 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 3 rounds, about 14% of its total and boasts 7 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series B, Series A, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States.
  • Strong thematic focus on Health Care, Medical, Biotechnology.

Stage Focus

  • Series B (48%)
  • Series A (19%)
  • Series Unknown (14%)
  • Series C (10%)
  • Series E (5%)
  • Series D (5%)

Country Focus

  • United States (100%)

Industry Focus

  • Health Care
  • Medical
  • Biotechnology
  • Medical Device
  • Life Science
  • Therapeutics
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Wellness
  • Manufacturing
  • Sports
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Charter Life Sciences frequently co-invest with?

Sanderling Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Mateo
Co-Investments: 2
Ascent Biomedical Ventures
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
Versant Ventures
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 3
Index Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 2
Aperture Venture Partners
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
Montreux Equity Partners
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 2
MB Venture Partners
North America, Tennessee, United States, Memphis
Co-Investments: 4
Clarus Ventures
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 2
Arboretum Ventures
North America, Michigan, United States, Ann Arbor
Co-Investments: 3
Prism Venture Management
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Needham
Co-Investments: 2

Which angels does Charter Life Sciences often collaborate with?

Shared Deals: 1
SH
North America, California, United States
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Charter Life Sciences?

Prevacept Infection Control

Broomfield, Colorado, United States

Prevacept Infection Control is a clinical-stage company focused on developing.

BiotechnologyLife ScienceMedical DevicePharmaceutical
Series UnknownSep 11, 2014
Amount Raised: $11,220,531
Xlumena

Mountain View, California, United States

Xlumena develops products that enable advanced image-guided endoscopic therapy.

Health CareMedicalWellness
Series CDec 3, 2013
Amount Raised: $25,000,000
Amaranth Medical

Mountain View, California, United States

Amaranth Medical provides fully bioresorbable, versatile scaffolds with novel mechanical properties.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical
Series BOct 8, 2013
Amount Raised: $20,000,000
Minimally invasive devices

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Minimally Invasive Devices develops surgical tools that facilitate and enable the performance of minimally-invasive surgery.

Enterprise SoftwareMedicalMedical Device
Series BJun 17, 2013
Amount Raised: $2,500,000
Minimally invasive devices

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Minimally Invasive Devices develops surgical tools that facilitate and enable the performance of minimally-invasive surgery.

Enterprise SoftwareMedicalMedical Device
Series BMar 25, 2013
Amount Raised: $9,000,000
Xlumena

Mountain View, California, United States

Xlumena develops products that enable advanced image-guided endoscopic therapy.

Health CareMedicalWellness
Series BApr 29, 2011
Amount Raised: $7,000,000
Prevacept Infection Control

Broomfield, Colorado, United States

Prevacept Infection Control is a clinical-stage company focused on developing.

BiotechnologyLife ScienceMedical DevicePharmaceutical
Series BAug 23, 2010
Amount Raised: $3,100,000
CymaBay Therapeutics

Hayward, California, United States

CymaBay Therapeutics is focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary new medicines for critical human diseases.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyPharmaceutical
Series ENov 5, 2009
Amount Raised: $8,600,000
Inviragen

Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Inviragen is focused on developing life-saving vaccines to protect against emerging infectious diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical
Series AOct 6, 2009
Amount Raised: $15,000,000
Revascular Therapeutics

Sunnyvale, California, United States

Revascular Therapeutics develops solutions for the treatment of total occlusions in arteries.

Health CareMedical DeviceTherapeutics
Series BMay 11, 2009
Amount Raised: $3,000,000