The rumors were true – kind of: The Founders Fund has been out raising a massive amount of cash for a fifth fund, but it’s not $750 million as originally thought. It’s $1 billion, the fund said today.
Most known for backing Facebook, Spotify and Elon Musk’s SpaceX, FF is a “stage agnostic” fund that focuses on aerospace, artificial intelligence, advanced computing, energy, health and consumer Internet.
Since its creation in 2005 by PayPal co-founders Peter Thiel, Luke Nosek and Ken Howery, it’s raised more than $2 billion to invest in startups.
As of late, it’s been doing quite a bit in the digital health and genetics space. Here’s a look at the health-focused companies it’s invested in through its angel and venture funds
This list was compiled based on the fund’s website and news archive searches. If there are companies missing, feel free to add them in the comments.
Research
CDD – Service that allows researchers to store, share, organize and mine drug development research
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
Nanotronics Imaging – Microscopes and tools for nanoscale imaging
Synthego – Building software and hardware to bring biological research into the digital age
Health IT/digital health
Practice Fusion – Web-based electronic health records
ZocDoc – Searchable database of physicians and reviews with online booking
Glow – Period, fertility and ovulation tracker apps
Azumio – iPhone apps for tracking heart rate, sleep, fitness and stress levels
RingaDoc – Provider of instant audio and video consultation with physicians
SharePractice – Medical reference app for doctors
NeuroTrack – Computer test and algorithm to help diagnose early-stage Alzheimer’s disease
Misfit Wearables – Wearable health and fitness tracker
Genetics
Counsyl – Pre-pregnancy genetic testing
Natera – Uses genetics and software engineering for noninvasive prenatal testing
Pathway Genomics – Genetic testing for heart health traits, cancer risk and other complex health conditions
Pharma
Signature Therapeutics – Developing abuse-resistant opioid pain medicines
