HONG KONG, May 13, 2026 — METiS TechBio (7666.HK), a tech-bio company focused on AI-powered nanodelivery innovation, today successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX), becoming the world’s first publicly listed AI-powered drug delivery company and the first AI-powered large-molecule biopharmaceutical company listed on the Hong Kong market. With the goal of becoming the “SpaceX of pharmaceuticals,” METiS TechBio has, within six years of its founding, become the fastest unicorn in China’s AI pharmaceutical sector to reach the IPO milestone.

METiS TechBio’s IPO was jointly sponsored by Jefferies, Deutsche Bank Securities Asia and CITIC Securities (Hong Kong). A total of 201,229,000 H shares were offered globally, raising over HKD 2.1 billion in proceeds and marking the largest healthcare IPO fundraising in Hong Kong so far in 2026. The Hong Kong public offering was oversubscribed by more than 6,900 times, locking up over HKD 730 billion in subscription funds, representing the highest subscription amount for the Hong Kong public offering among healthcare IPOs in Hong Kong so far in 2026. For the international placing, the Company received orders from more than 280 institutional investors and recorded 82 times oversubscription for the allocable tranche, also marking the highest international placing oversubscription multiple among healthcare IPOs in Hong Kong so far in 2026.

METiS TechBio’s Hong Kong IPO once again set a record for AI pharmaceutical IPOs in Hong Kong with a top-tier lineup of 18 cornerstone investors subscribing for a total of USD 148 million, securing comprehensive support from “global asset managers + specialized healthcare funds + AI technology funds + state-level funds + Chinese public fund managers.” Among them, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, led the subscription with USD 50 million. Global asset management giants and ultra-long-term funds including UBS Asset Management Singapore, Mirae Asset of South Korea, and ORIX Corporation of Japan collectively made allocations. Guofengtou Innovation Investment Fund, a state-level fund, made its first investment in the AI pharmaceutical sector. Internationally renowned specialist healthcare funds, including Deerfield, RTW and Lake Bleu Capital, participated in the investment, while leading technology investment institutions, including Walden International, Hillhouse Capital and IDG Capital, also expanded their presence into the sector. Top Chinese public fund managers including GF Fund, ICBC UBS Asset Management, China Asset Management, and Fullgoal Fund also made a rare joint appearance as subscribers with lock-up commitments. This fully demonstrates that AI nanodelivery technology has risen to the level of a national strategic priority and key area of support, and has become a critical technology driving future growth and breakthroughs in global biopharmaceuticals.

Dr. Chris Lai, Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of METiS TechBio, stated: 

“The future of biomedicine will no longer be simply about ‘taking medicine when one falls ill.’ METiS TechBio’s ambition is to harness AI to build nano-rockets that can navigate with precision through the inner space of the human body’s 30 trillion cells, write the code of nucleic acids and proteins into cells, and reprogram diseased and aging cells into healthy cells. This was our founding aspiration, and it is the mission to which we will dedicate our lives. The IPO marks a new starting point for us to accelerate forward, and we will strive to live up to the support and trust we have received from all sectors.”

• Proprietary World-First AI Nanodelivery Platform, Creating the First-Ever Data, Algorithms, and Models for AI for Nano

METiS TechBio’s core competitiveness stems from NanoForge, its proprietary world-first AI nanodelivery platform. The Company has built the world’s largest ionizable lipid library at the scale of tens of millions, independently developed the world’s only algorithm for de novo lipid generation and lipid language model, established the world’s first end-to-end lipid and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) screening platform, and created the world’s first AI-powered multiscale simulation platform for small-molecule formulation development.

NanoForge encompasses AI foundation models, METiS AI agents, quantum chemistry and molecular dynamics simulations, and an AI-driven high-throughput screening platform, serving as the foundation of the Company’s proprietary AI-driven nanotechnology innovation system. Building upon NanoForge, the Company has developed three technology solutions – AiTEM, AiLNP, and AiRNA – which can not only significantly shorten drug development timelines but also enhance drug safety and efficacy.

• Differentiated Innovative Pipeline Covering Major Disease Areas Including Immunology, Oncology and Metabolic Diseases, Supported by a World-First In Vivo Targeted Delivery System

Based on the NanoForge platform, METiS TechBio has taken the lead in the industry in achieving precision targeted delivery to eight key organs and tissues: the liver, lungs, heart, muscles, tumor tissues, immune system, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. Its pipeline products cover oncology, immunology, central nervous system disorders, metabolic diseases, and other areas.

The Company has more than 10 pipeline products, including several candidates at the discovery stage, four preclinical candidates, three clinical-stage products, one pre-NDA product, and two animal health products. As of the Latest Practicable Date, the Company had filed a total of 224 patent applications and had been granted 52 patents.

METiS TechBio has developed MTS-004, China’s first AI-enabled formulation drug to complete a Phase III clinical trial. MTS-004 is the first and only PBA (pseudobulbar affect) drug in China to have completed clinical trials, and is expected to fill the gap in PBA drug treatment in China. The MTS-004 program took 38 months from project initiation to completion of the Phase III clinical trial. Through AiTEM’s predictive analytics and advanced modeling technologies, the Company successfully reduced preclinical formulation development time from one to two years to less than three months.

The “rocket + satellite” next-generation in vivo immunotherapy paradigm is a core capability through which METiS TechBio advances the development of its differentiated innovation pipeline. MTS-105 is a benchmark pipeline product designed to efficiently activate anti-tumor immunity within specific organs in vivo, with the potential to become the world’s first in vivo mRNA-encoded TCE therapy for solid tumors, for the treatment of liver cancer and other advanced solid tumors with liver metastases. Leveraging its AiLNP and AiRNA platforms, METiS TechBio enables highly efficient expression of TCE in hepatocytes and liver cancer cells through specific liver-targeted LNP delivery, activating potent intratumoral immunity and thereby achieving powerful tumor cell killing. MTS-105 is currently in the IIT stage and has received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA.

• Dual Engines of Platform Collaborations and Product Partnerships, Reinforcing Barriers Through a Closed Loop of Technology Iteration, Commercial Application, and Real-World Data Feedback

In terms of commercialization strategy, METiS TechBio adopts a “platform collaboration + product partnership” dual-engine business model, forming a synergistic and recycling ecosystem of “technology iteration – commercial application – real-world data feedback.” To date, METiS TechBio has more than 30 pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners worldwide, with customers primarily including global top-tier pharmaceutical companies, innovative biotechnology companies, and medical research institutions.

METiS TechBio recorded revenue of RMB 105 million in 2025, primarily from the upfront payment for the MTS-004 product partnership. The total milestones for MTS-004 in the PBA indication amount to RMB 1.845 billion, with additional potential milestone payments of up to RMB 100 million for potential indication expansion. Meanwhile, a single-target contract in existing platform collaborations is valued at up to USD 109 million. The dual-engine business model has been preliminarily validated by the market.

• Core Senior Executives at the Founding-Team Level Joining Forces Across Disciplines, with Sustained Heavy Investment in R&D and Talent Development

METiS TechBio’s R&D team is led by its three co-founders. Building upon the Company’s R&D centers in Beijing and Hangzhou, the team brings together multidisciplinary expertise spanning nanomaterials, chemistry, biology, physics, computational science, medicine, and other fields, providing strong support for innovation in AI nanodelivery and cross-disciplinary breakthrough research. The R&D team comprises more than 100 scientists and technical personnel, including approximately 40 Ph.D. holders. The majority of the Company’s operating expenses are R&D-related, primarily including employee benefits for scientists and engineers, share-based compensation expenses, procurement of laboratory materials and equipment, and professional service fees (including fees paid to CROs). From 2023 to 2025, the Company maintained sustained high R&D expenditure of approximately RMB 270 million.

METiS TechBio will always prioritize R&D as a key direction for strategic investment. Approximately 50.0% of the net proceeds from the IPO will be used to support core technology research, development, and advancement of its AI infrastructure and AI-driven nanomaterials platform; approximately 20.0% will be used for ongoing and planned clinical trials in its AI-developed product pipeline, advancing candidate drugs across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities; and approximately 10.0% will be used to develop animal health and anti-aging solutions and to expand AI-enabled solutions into these high-growth areas.

SOURCE METiS TechBio

The global hydration brand announces its largest capital raise to date, reinforcing its position as the category-defining leader in taste-led, functional hydration

VIENNA, May 13, 2026 — waterdrop® has secured more than €100 million in funding from Aspeya, Atlantic Grupa and alpine ski World Cup champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. The three partners join an already distinguished shareholder base that includes Temasek, Döhler and Bitburger – as well as a number of the world’s leading athletes – alongside the continued full backing of waterdrop’s board, chaired by Hikmet Ersek. The announcement marks the most significant milestone in the company’s history: a business that is profitable, growing, and now fuelled to move faster.

waterdrop® was founded in Vienna in 2016 with a clear mission: to help people Drink More Water in a tastier, more functional, and more convenient way. The company pioneered the Microdrink – a compact, sugar-free cube made with real fruit and plant extracts that dissolves in water to deliver great taste and real functional benefit wherever you are. A decade later, what began as one product has grown into a full hydration ecosystem: cubes across dozens of flavours, expanded with Microenergy for a caffeine boost and Microlyte for electrolyte replenishment, alongside design-led bottles and water filtration technology. Today, waterdrop® serves more than 5 million online customers worldwide, generates revenues of around €150 million, operates profitably, and is present across more than 20,000 retail outlets and approximately 50 dedicated stores across Europe, the United States, Japan and Australia.

The announcement comes in a landmark year. 2026 marks ten years of waterdrop® – a decade of pioneering the Microdrink category and proving that a brand built around taste, functionality and convenience could become a genuinely global force. As Official Bottle Partner of the Australian Open for the third consecutive year and a Gold Partner of the ATP Tour, waterdrop® has built its brand where performance culture and global audiences converge. World-class athletes – among them alpine ski champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who joins this round as brand ambassador and investor – have chosen waterdrop® not as a marketing arrangement but as a genuine part of how they compete, train and recover.

“We have spent ten years building something we genuinely believe in – a brand that makes it easier and more enjoyable for people to drink more water, and a business that has earned the right to grow,” says Founder and CEO Martin Murray. “Aspeya and Atlantic Grupa bring the strategic depth, the distribution reach, and the long-term conviction that this next chapter demands. We are profitable, we are growing, and with these partners behind us, we are ready to move faster – and go further – than ever before.”

Aspeya, which is developing and commercializing a pipeline of wellness products and brands, takes a minority stake as part of its strategy to support companies shaping the future of consumer wellness. “waterdrop® has done something rare – it has created a category, built a loyal global community, and reached profitability without compromising on its mission,” says Michael Kunst, CEO of Aspeya. “Aspeya was created to back companies that are genuinely shaping the future of consumer wellness, and waterdrop® is among the most compelling we have encountered. We are proud to be part of this next chapter.”

Atlantic Grupa brings a dimension as valuable as the capital itself. As one of South and East Europe’s most established food and beverage groups, and already waterdrop’s distribution partner across Austria, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia, Atlantic Grupa deepens its commitment with a double-digit million euro investment, and a seat on the Investment Committee. “We have seen waterdrop® grow up close. The brand resonates deeply with European consumers and reflects the trends and shared goals: premiumiation, functional hydration, and an uncompromising standard of taste. This investment reflects our conviction in waterdrop’s long-term potential and our commitment to growing it together across Europe and beyond,” says Lada Tedeschi Fiorio, Group Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investments at Atlantic Grupa.

The investment will be deployed with clear intent. European expansion comes first – deepening retail operations, strengthening local teams, and scaling direct-to-consumer capabilities across key markets. Product development follows closely, with the next generation of innovations. The brand’s recently announced partnership with Ricola – co-developing a herbal hydration range that brings together two iconic names united by a commitment to functional, great-tasting products – signals the kind of collaborations waterdrop® is now positioned to pursue at scale.

What comes next is as ambitious as anything the brand has done before. Hydration season is underway – and with it, the most comprehensive marketing campaign in waterdrop’s history. A fully integrated push spanning out-of-home, digital and live activations is running across the brand’s core European markets, anchored by its presence at the ATP Tour this summer and amplified by the athletes who have made waterdrop® their hydration of choice. New flavours and product innovations are landing throughout the coming months. Local teams are being built out and strengthened across Europe. The category waterdrop® created is expanding. The brand that created it intends to lead it.

About waterdrop®

Founded in Austria in 2016, waterdrop® set out to revolutionise the beverage industry with the world’s first “Microdrink”. The concept is as simple as it is brilliant: a small, sugar-free cube that dissolves in water to create a unique flavour experience from natural fruit and plant extracts. At its core, waterdrop® has one mission: Drink More Water.

With an unwavering commitment to reducing plastic waste, waterdrop’s Microdrinks help reduce up to 98% of plastic compared to pre-filled beverages in 500ml plastic bottles. The brand doesn’t stop at hydration cubes – it also develops reusable drinking bottles, and water filtration systems, ensuring the entire water drinking experience is both innovative and more sustainable.

Today, waterdrop® serves more than 5 million online customers, has over 400 employees, and is available in over 20,000 retail outlets worldwide, with more than 50 dedicated stores across Europe and the USA. waterdrop® products are currently sold in Europe, the USA, Japan, and Australia.

For more information, visit: www.waterdrop.com

About Aspeya

Aspeya, which operates as a separate company under the ownership of Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI), is harnessing deep insight and scientific expertise to develop and commercialize a pipeline of wellness products and brands. Aspeya has three areas of focus: Consumer wellness, cannabinoids, and inhaled therapeutics. PMI is a leading international consumer goods company, actively delivering a smoke-free future, which accounted for 43% of PMI’s first-quarter 2026 total net revenues. For more information, visit aspeya.com

About Atlantic Grupa

Atlantic Grupa is one of the leading branded FMCG companies in Southeast Europe, with a strong portfolio of own brands and strategic distribution partnerships with external principals across food, beverages, sports nutrition, and personal care. Atlantic Grupa is a successful multinational company headquartered in Zagreb, and listed in the Prime market of the Zagreb Stock Exchange, with a track record of delivering promised results for nearly 20 years. With companies in 8 countries and a strong performing brand portfolio in over 40 markets, Atlantic records an annual sales revenue of EUR 1.2 billion.

Media Contact:
Hanna Martetschlaeger
[email protected]

SOURCE waterdrop Microdrinks

Capital will continue funding pivotal clinical trials and commercial launch preparation of the UroActive^® System, the first smart automated implant to treat stress urinary incontinence

GRENOBLE, France and MINNEAPOLIS, May 13, 2026 — UroMems, a global company developing innovative, implantable mechatronics technology to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI), today announced it has raised a $60 million strategic investment, the largest fundraising round to date for the company. Ajax Health Fund I¹ financed the entire round, with capital continuing to support large-scale pivotal clinical trials of the UroActive^® implant in the U.S. and France. The resulting data will pave the way for regulatory submission in multiple countries. UroActive is the first smart automated artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) to treat SUI.

“We’re excited to fund this pivotal round for UroMems and apply our approach of partnering with potential industry leaders to help build and scale innovative medtech organizations,” said David Beylik, partner at Ajax Health. “Combining our industry experience and capital with the UroMems team, we believe that the UroActive smart implant has the potential to become the standard of care for SUI treatment.”

The financing will support UroMems through the completion of its ongoing SOPHIA2 clinical trial of the UroActive smart implant in 21 U.S. and French investigational centers in preparation for regulatory submission to both the U.S. and European markets.

The latest investment builds upon the momentum of a $47 million Series C financing completed in June 2024, led by Crédit Mutuel Innovation with participation from the European Innovation Council and existing investors Wellington Partners, Bpifrance, Supernova Invest, Hil-Invent, b-to-v Partners and Financière Arbevel.

“As existing investors, we’re thrilled to welcome Ajax Health Fund I to this round,” said Philippe Boucheron, deputy chief of life sciences investments for Bpifrance. “Based on strong early clinical study results and unprecedented interest from physicians, we’ve always known that the UroActive System has significant potential to improve patients’ lives and disrupt the market.”

“Ajax Health brings additional operating experience as UroActive enters its next stage, and we look forward to working together to support it through approval and commercialization,” said Johannes Fischer, partner at Wellington Partners.

UroActive is the first smart active implant that treats SUI, powered by a MyoElectroMechanical System (MEMS). This innovative system is placed around the urethral duct and is controlled based on the patient’s activity, without the need for manual adjustments, intending to provide patients with ease of use and a better quality of life than current options. UroMems has successfully surpassed critical milestones in research and development, clinical outcomes and building the organization.

“Ajax Health Fund I’s support strengthens our position as we approach the pivotal points of FDA PMA submission and commercialization, and we’re grateful for their investment, partnership and confidence in UroActive,” said Hamid Lamraoui, co-founder and chief executive officer of UroMems. “I believe UroActive will be a game-changer in treating patients suffering from SUI, and we are now one step closer to achieving our shared vision of delivering on the significant unmet need for patients and physicians desperately seeking a better SUI treatment option.”

David Beylik and Dr. Jeremy Durack are joining the UroMems board of directors, each bringing significant strategic expertise to the company. In addition to his partner role at Ajax Health, Beylik served as the founding chief operating officer of Ajax platform Maverix Medical. Prior to Ajax, he was an associate at Latham & Watkins LLP and a law clerk to Chief Justice John Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court. Dr. Durack is a practicing interventional radiologist and both a partner and the senior vice president of medical affairs for Ajax Health. Prior to Ajax, he served as vice-chair of radiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where his clinical practice and research focused extensively on minimally invasive urology procedures.

SUI, or involuntary urinary leakage, affects an estimated 40 million Americans and 90 million Europeans. SUI significantly impacts quality of life, as it can be debilitating, and often leads to depression, low self-esteem and social stigma.

About UroActive
The UroMems technology platform is protected by more than 200 granted patents and is designed to overcome the limitations of current solutions by optimizing safety and performance, patient experience and surgeon convenience. UroActive is the first active implantable electronic artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) that is being developed to compensate for sphincter insufficiency in patients, both men and women, with SUI. UroActive has not received marketing authorization from the FDA and is not available for sale in the United States or in the EU. For more information, please visit www.uromems.com.

About Ajax Health
Ajax Health is a U.S.-based private equity firm focused on the medical technology sector. Ajax specializes in forming scaled partnerships with commercial-stage medtech organizations to drive innovation and advance patient outcomes.

¹ Ajax Health Fund I is a fund sponsored by ICONIQ and sub-advised by U.S.-based medtech-focused investment firm Ajax Health.

Media Contact:
Shelli Lissick
[email protected]  
651-276-6922

SOURCE UroMems

New Capital Positions ABS to Reach Key Clinical Milestones and Advance Its Immuno-Corrective Autoimmune Therapy Platform

HOUSTON, May 13, 2026 — Autoimmunity BioSolutions (ABS), a biotechnology company developing a personalized, genetically-guided immuno-corrective therapy designed to normalize elevated levels of soluble IL7 receptor (sIL7R), today announced the close of a $1M seed extension financing round, bringing total seed capital raised to $3.1 million. The round was anchored by lead investor Eos BioInnovation and a select group of family offices whose long-term investment orientation reflects strong conviction in ABS’s differentiated scientific platform and its potential to transform outcomes for the millions of autoimmune patients inadequately served by current therapies.

The round includes continued participation from existing investors EOS BioInnovation, Independent Capital and Elmstead Partners, reflecting strong ongoing confidence in the ABS platform. ABS also welcomes NewTech Investment Holdings to the round as a new family office investor. Their participation anchors the $1M seed extension.

“We are grateful for the continued support of our family office partners, whose participation in this seed extension reflects shared belief in the transformative potential of our platform,” said Eugene Williams, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Autoimmunity BioSolutions. “With the participation of seasoned investors who understand the pace and promise of life sciences innovation, we are well-positioned to deploy this capital with purpose, completing important animal model work and patient bio-sample analyses in our lead indication of Rheumatoid Arthritis, building on the compelling scientific momentum already underway at ABS.”

Advancing a Genetically Targeted Approach to Autoimmune Disease

ABS’s scientific team has identified a highly prevalent SNP, estimated to be present in roughly 50% of the overall population, which causes a 2–3-fold increase in circulating sIL7R. Elevated sIL7R has been repeatedly shown in scientific evidence to contribute to greater disease severity, increased disease progression, and reduced response to standard-of-care therapies across multiple autoimmune indications, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus nephritis (LN), and type 1 diabetes (T1D).

About Autoimmunity BioSolutions (ABS)

Autoimmunity BioSolutions (ABS) is pioneering a personalized, genetically guided immuno-corrective therapy designed to normalize or “correct” elevated levels of soluble IL7 receptor (sIL7R), a fundamental driver of poor therapeutic response in autoimmune disease. This therapy targets a genetically defined subpopulation of autoimmune disease patients marked by a highly prevalent genetic variant (SNP) that elevates the expression of sIL7R and is associated with greater severity of disease, increased progression of disease, and poor response to current treatments. This immuno-corrective approach of targeting sIL7R in a genetic population is highly differentiated from current standards of care that rely on immunosuppressive mechanisms and has broad potential to enhance response to standards of care in the refractory population with elevated sIL7R across numerous autoimmune diseases. For more information, visit www.abstherapeutics.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

For investor inquiries, please contact:

Jen Beachell
Chief Business Officer
[email protected]

For media inquiries, please contact:
Madelyn De Los Santos
Putnam Insights
[email protected]

SOURCE Autoimmunity BioSolutions

New company formation, startup scaling, and founder growth contributed to more than $7.51B in cumulative economic impact across Central Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 13, 2026 — Despite a challenging 2025 venture capital environment, particularly for founders raising pre-seed and seed funding, Central Ohio startups continued to demonstrate resilience, momentum, and growth. While venture investment nationally became increasingly concentrated among a small number of companies and coastal ecosystems, Central Ohio companies still raised $348 million across 55 deals in 2025, reflecting the continued strength of the region’s innovation economy.

Against that backdrop, founders supported by Rev1 Ventures, the Midwest venture studio partnering with innovators in SaaS/AI, deep tech, and life sciences, generated $718 million in total economic impact in 2025, as Central Ohio startups continued advancing from early traction to scalable growth.

Rev1’s 2025 Impact Report highlights that momentum, with supported founders generating $174 million in revenue, contributing to $274 million in exits, and creating or retaining 841 jobs. Collectively, Rev1 client companies now employ more than 2,700 people – equivalent to a top-20 regional employer based on workforce size.

Since 2013, Rev1-supported founders have generated $7.51 billion in cumulative economic impact, reflecting both the continued formation of new venture-backed companies and the sustained growth of startups scaling into larger, more established businesses.

The organization also reported an exceptionally high client satisfaction score, highlighting the continued demand for Rev1’s venture development model and founder support programs.

“These results reflect the strength and resilience of founders building high-growth companies in Central Ohio during one of the most challenging venture markets in recent years,” said Tom Walker, CEO of Rev1 Ventures. “Even as early-stage capital became harder to access nationally, founders in our ecosystem continued gaining traction, generating revenue, creating jobs, and positioning themselves for long-term scale. That’s exactly what Rev1 was built to do – help high-potential startups move from early validation to becoming venture-ready growth companies.”

A major milestone in that long-term strategy was the 2025 launch of Rev1 at The Peninsula, the organization’s new founder-focused innovation hub designed to support the next generation of software and advanced technology startups. Developed in partnership with the City of Columbus and Downtown Columbus, Inc., the space positions Columbus as home to one of the nation’s largest city-supported innovation centers dedicated to high-growth technology companies.

Rev1 will further highlight its 2025 Impact Report and new innovation hub during its upcoming Customer to Capital Accelerator Community Celebration on Wednesday, May 20, from 5–6:30 p.m. The event will bring together founders, investors, mentors, and community leaders to celebrate the latest graduates of Rev1’s tech accelerator and showcase emerging startups building in Central Ohio.

To learn more about Rev1 Ventures and its founder-focused venture studio model, visit:
Rev1 Ventures.com

About Rev1 Ventures
Rev1 Ventures is where founders go to build. As a Midwest venture studio, Rev1 partners with innovators in Saas/AI, deep tech, and life sciences to turn bold ideas into scalable companies. From day one, Rev1 helps startups move faster and grow smarter by validating markets, gaining traction, and becoming venture ready. A catalyst for early-stage growth, Rev1 connects founders to the mentors, partners, and early customers that accelerate progress and position startups to attract investors. With hands-on support, a powerful network, and collaborative spaces designed for growth, Rev1 gives startups the foundation to build stronger and scale.

SOURCE Rev1 Ventures

After generating more than $50M in projected medical and pharmacy savings across two Fortune 100 employers, 9amHealth is expanding its AI-driven specialty care platform beyond cardiometabolic care to address the high-cost chronic conditions that account for up to 70% of employer spend.

SAN DIEGO, May 13, 2026 — 9amHealth, a leading virtual specialty care platform, today announced $26 million in Series B funding led by Define Ventures, with new participation from SemperVirens VC, Catalio Capital Management, and NewHealth Ventures. 

Since its founding, 9amHealth has rapidly emerged as a leader in virtual cardiometabolic care, partnering with large enterprise employers and leading pharmaceutical organizations to support people living with obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Through its integrated care model, which combines clinical protocols, labs, medication management, and continuous care, the company has delivered significant pharmacy cost savings amid rising demand for GLP-1 therapies while improving engagement and clinical outcomes.

Building on this foundation, 9amHealth has already developed the clinical infrastructure, care delivery model, and technology platform needed to manage complex, high-cost chronic conditions at scale. The new funding will support continued growth as the company expands its platform to address additional high-cost, specialty-level chronic conditions, which collectively account for up to 70% of employer pharmacy spend.

These conditions often require ongoing specialty medications, repeat interventions, and coordinated care, which represents the largest and fastest-growing portion of employer healthcare spend.

“What makes this possible is our ability to combine specialized clinical care with AI-enabled clinical workflows and personalized member experiences that allow us to scale efficiently across complex chronic conditions,” said Frank Westermann, CEO and Co-Founder of 9amHealth. “We’ve already proven this model in cardiometabolic care, and are now extending to a much broader set of high-cost needs.”

The Series B round was led by Lynne O’Keefe, Founder and Managing Partner at Define Ventures, who will join the company’s Board of Directors.

“We’re proud to partner with 9amHealth at this pivotal stage,” said Lynne O’Keefe. “They’ve demonstrated strong clinical outcomes and cost savings in one of the fastest-growing categories in healthcare. Their platform has the potential to transform how employers manage their most expensive populations.”

About 9amHealth
9amHealth is an AI-enabled virtual specialty care platform focused on managing high-cost chronic conditions at scale. The company partners with employers, health plans, and pharmacy benefit managers to deliver comprehensive, cost-effective medical care for individuals living with obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Members receive access to specialized clinicians, including endocrinologists, obesity medicine specialists, and clinical pharmacists, at-home lab testing, prescription medications, and lifestyle support.

9amHealth was founded in 2021 and is backed by leading healthcare investors like Define Ventures, SemperVirens VC, 7Wire Ventures, and The Cigna Group Ventures.

Learn more at www.join9am.com.

Download media assets here.

SOURCE 9amHealth

Targeted $50M. Raised $55M. Thirty Days. No Pitch Deck. No Placement Agent. Every Dollar Inbound.

DALLAS, May 13, 2026 — Champion Leadership Group today announced the final close of SaaS Fuel™ Fund I at $55 million, oversubscribed from its original $50 million target and completed in under 30 days without a road show, a placement agent, a pitch deck, or a single cold outreach. Every dollar came inbound — from exited SaaS founders and senior technology executives who had worked directly with the firm.

Fund I targets approximately 30 B2B SaaS and AI companies in the $1M–$5M ARR range — the most structurally neglected stage in SaaS investment, too large for friends-and-family capital and too small for institutional funds whose check sizes require dilutive ownership at this valuation. Each portfolio company receives capital plus the full SaaS Fuel™ operational infrastructure: the SaaS Fuel Operating System™, the firm’s proprietary infrastructure trained on 81,000 closed private-market transactions; a monthly podcast reaching 12,000 founders; an email community of 17,000 operators; and the Founder Flywheel™ network connecting portfolio founders with exited operators who serve as advisors, early customers, and follow-on investors. Initial checks range from $500k – $3M, with reserved capital for future rounds.

The fund’s economic structure is built on the same alignment philosophy. The fund charges no management fee — a deliberate departure from the industry-standard 2% that would otherwise draw $1.1 million annually from investor capital regardless of performance. Carry is 20%, but only after a 9% preferred return hurdle: every LP receives their capital back plus a 9% annual return before any carry is distributed. Managing Partner Jeff Mains committed $5 million of personal capital — nearly 10% of the fund — at identical terms to every LP. Same entry. Same hurdle. Same lock-up. No exceptions.

When inbound commitments exceeded the $50M target, Mains chose to expand modestly rather than turn away the founders and operators who had been closest to the work over the longest period of time.

“Every person who invested had watched us work,” said Mains. “The oversubscription was not a marketing outcome — it was a trust outcome. That distinction matters more than most people in venture are willing to admit.”

The firm currently serves 240 active founder clients through its accelerator program. A Fund II has not been announced; the firm is focused on full deployment of Fund I. Fund I is actively investing.

About Champion Leadership Group
Champion Leadership Group is a Dallas, Texas-based B2B SaaS and AI scale-up accelerator and investment firm. SaaS Fuel™ Fund I — $55 million, no management fee, 20% carry after a 9% preferred return hurdle, $5M GP commitment at identical LP terms — closed oversubscribed in under 30 days. The SaaS Fuel Operating System™ is trained on 81,000 closed private-market transactions. Jeff Mains: five companies built, four exits. 240 active founder clients. Fund I is actively investing.

Media Contact:
Alex Carter, Media Relations
Champion Leadership Group
469-640-8545
[email protected]

SOURCE Champion Leadership Group

New capital fuels product enhancements as leading biopharma adopt QuartzBio to eliminate operational inefficiencies and protect trial outcomes

BALTIMORE, May 13, 2026 — QuartzBio, a life science technology company delivering portfolio‑scale sample and biomarker intelligence for clinical‑stage biopharma, today announced a strategic growth investment and controlling interest from Eir Partners, a private equity firm focused on health tech and tech-enabled services. The move marks a significant milestone as QuartzBio expands its role as trusted infrastructure for biopharma organizations seeking greater operational control, data integrity, and efficiency across complex clinical trial portfolios.

Addressing a Growing Operational Bottleneck in Clinical Development
As clinical trial portfolios scale, sponsors are forced to manage biospecimens and biomarker data across disconnected vendors, systems, and spreadsheets. This fragmentation introduces operational blind spots—driving missing or unusable samples, manual consent and collection tracking, late discovery of data gaps, costly downstream rework, and trial delays.

QuartzBio was built to eliminate this friction. Its vendor‑agnostic, AI‑enabled platform unifies sample collection, chain of custody, consent status, metadata integrity, and biomarker results into a single ecosystem—delivering real‑time visibility and control across entire clinical portfolios.

Proven Impact Across Clinical Operations
QuartzBio is trusted by a growing customer base that includes multiple Top 10 pharmaceutical companies, delivering operational clarity across complex clinical programs. The platform helps teams identify and resolve issues early—before they become protocol deviations, data loss, or trial delays—while integrating seamlessly into existing workflows.

Customers report near‑complete visibility into sample collection, reducing monitoring effort by up to 98% and significantly cutting manual work through automated oversight and exception management—allowing teams to support significantly more studies without adding headcount. These efficiencies drive $250K–$350K in average savings per Phase II/III study, while protecting timelines and ensuring biomarker‑ready data at readout.

By embedding domain‑specific AI directly into clinical and translational workflows, QuartzBio enables R&D teams to move faster and with greater confidence—without increasing operational risk or administrative burden.

Focused Investment in Product and Scale
The investment from Eir Partners enables QuartzBio to accelerate enhancements across its platform and operating model, including:

• Expanded portfolio‑scale interoperability across CROs, labs, and clinical systems
   
• Deeper AI‑driven automation for workflow management, risk detection, and data completeness
   
• Enhanced analytics and benchmarking for multi-trial decision‑making
   
• Increased enterprise scalability, security, and global compliance
   
• Expanded customer support and implementation capacity to match growing adoption

“Modern clinical development generates unprecedented volumes of data, yet trial risk persists because that data is fragmented, delayed, or unreliable,” said Scott Marshall, Ph.D., CEO of QuartzBio. “This investment allows us to double down on delivering a scalable software platform that removes manual oversight, protects scientific integrity, and materially reduces trial cost and duration.”

Investor Perspective
“AI is fundamentally transforming clinical development, and sample and biomarker intelligence represents one of its highest-impact applications,” said Brett Carlson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eir Partners. “QuartzBio has demonstrated both strong product‑market fit and tangible economic impact for sponsors managing complex portfolios. By embedding domain-specific AI directly into clinical and translational workflows, the company is well positioned to shape how next-generation trials are conducted.”

Terms of the transaction with Eir Partners were not disclosed. Bourne Partners served as an exclusive financial advisor to QuartzBio.

About QuartzBio
QuartzBio is a life science technology company delivering connected sample and biomarker intelligence for clinical-stage biopharma. Designed for modern, multi-trial portfolios, its vendor‑agnostic platform unifies sample operations and biomarker data into a single platform—powered by domain‑specific AI agents—to reduce operational risk, accelerate timelines, and enable scientifically defensible outcomes. For more information, please visit their website at www.quartzbio.com or LinkedIn page.

About Eir Partners
Eir Partners Capital is a Miami-based private equity company focused on healthcare technology and tech-enabled services. Founded in 2015, Eir has partnered with entrepreneurs and management teams to create scaled, strategically differentiated platforms across payer, provider, employer, and pharma technology sectors. The Firm’s hands-on approach combines operational insight with deep industry relationships to drive long-term value. Targeted stages of investment include growth equity through control buyouts and equity check sizes range from $40 – $150 million or larger with co-investments. For more information, please visit their website at www.eirpartners.com or LinkedIn page.

SOURCE QuartzBio

Partnering with leading pharmaceutical companies, BranchLab replaces fragmented, offline workflows with a unified, privacy-first AI platform—driving a nearly 70% increase in commercialization efficacy.

BOULDER, Colo., May 13, 2026 — BranchLab, an AI platform transforming how pharmaceutical companies commercialize therapies, today announced a $26 million Series A financing led by McKesson Ventures, with participation from FCA Venture Partners, Sanofi Ventures, and AIX Ventures. The round brings total funding to $35 million.

Pharma commercialization—spanning patient identification, audience segmentation, activation, and real-world measurement—has historically relied on fragmented vendors, delayed analytics, and manual workflows. The result is a system that is data-rich but operationally offline, limiting how quickly teams can learn, adapt, and drive impact.

BranchLab is changing that.

The company has built a unified AI platform that puts audience identification, activation, and optimization directly in the hands of pharma teams and their agencies—enabling them to act on high-intent patient and healthcare professional (HCP) audiences in near real time. Today, BranchLab is used by leading pharmaceutical companies and has delivered an average increase of nearly 70% in marketing efficacy across a diverse set of therapeutic areas.

“Pharma has long had access to rich data, but using it quickly—and responsibly—has been the challenge,” said Josh Walsh, CEO of BranchLab. “BranchLab solves this by turning privacy-safe, aggregated data into real-time insights that connect directly to activation. Teams can move faster, reach the right audiences more effectively, and drive better outcomes without relying on sensitive or individual-level information.”

At the core of the platform is a novel transformer-based architecture that enables models to train on health data within customer-controlled environments, while deploying only non-sensitive demographic and media-side signals. The new approach transforms commercialization workflows that used to take months and collapses them to minutes.

“The more we learned about BranchLab, the more we saw the possibility to transform the way patients learn about and get started on the right therapies,” said Carrie Williams, partner at McKesson Ventures. “Combining a deep understanding of the patient journey with a future-proofed approach to patient activation could enable an evolved patient therapy experience, one that seamlessly bridges privacy-first audience targeting with patient access, affordability and preference.”

FCA emphasized the underlying system shift: “Pharma has spent years investing in data and analytics, but much of it still lives outside of production systems,” said Andrew Bouldin, Managing Partner at FCA Venture Partners. “BranchLab’s approach to running models within regulated environments and connecting them directly to execution is a fundamental shift in how commercialization can work. We see this as a meaningful step toward making pharma’s data, and activation systems work together in real time.”

Sanofi Ventures highlighted the broader industry shift toward embedded, privacy-aware AI systems.

“Healthcare is entering a new era of responsible AI within regulated environments,” said Cris De Luca, Sanofi Ventures. “BranchLab has the potential to become a core commercial intelligence layer, putting this capability directly in the hands of pharma teams to connect therapies with patients across next‑generation digital environments.”

As the industry moves toward faster, more accountable, and privacy-first systems, BranchLab is positioning itself as the infrastructure layer for how therapies are brought to market in the AI era.

With the new funding, BranchLab will expand enterprise deployments, deepen integrations across the healthcare and media ecosystem, and continue building the unified AI platform for pharma commercialization.

About BranchLab
BranchLab is transforming healthcare commercialization with AI-native technology that helps leading healthcare organizations and their agencies connect patients, providers, and caregivers to life-improving therapies and resources. Built for the evolving privacy landscape, BranchLab improves commercialization performance without relying on individual-level health information. By modernizing the industry’s technical infrastructure, BranchLab helps organizations operate more efficiently and responsibly, while enabling a healthier system for everyone.

To learn more, visit www.branchlab.com.

CONTACT:
BranchLab Media Team
[email protected]

SOURCE BranchLab Inc