# Semathera

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/semathera

- Industry: Biotechnology
- Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
- Website: www.semathera.com
- Total disclosed funding: $0.8M
- Latest round: Seed (Jan 11, 2017)
- Investors on record: 1

## About

Semathera Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapeutic solutions targeting diabetic retinopathy and related retinal diseases through the development of biological traps that bind key cytokines.Founded in 2016, Semathera Inc. is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and specializes in creating treatments for diabetic retinopathy. The company has received a total of USD 2.6 mn in funding, with its most recent deal occurring on March 21, 2018. Co-led by AmorChem and Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, this investment marks a significant step in the company’s growth strategy. Mike Sapieha is the founder, and Garth Cumberlidge serves as the CEO.Semathera Inc. specializes in developing innovative biological traps that target semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) and other cytokines implicated in diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. The company's core offerings are designed to bind and sequester SEMA3A, mitigating the detrimental effects associated with retinal inflammation, vascular leakage, and impaired vascular regeneration. Primary end users include hospitals, clinics, and research institutions focused on treating retinal degenerative diseases, particularly diabetes-related complications. Semathera's solutions have shown efficacy in various models of retinal vascular diseases, demonstrating potential in facilitating physiological re-vascularization and reducing avascular areas. Geographically, their products are positioned for markets in North America and Europe, focusing on regions with a high prevalence of diabetes and corresponding retinal complications.Semathera’s revenue model revolves around partnerships and collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and research institutions, involving exclusive licensing agreements. Revenue generation is facilitated through the development and commercialization of their proprietary biological traps, aligning with the needs of healthcare providers addressing diabetic retinopathy. The firm engages in direct B2B transactions, where healthcare institutions procure their products for clinical use in treating patients, ensuring steady demand. These business transactions are characterized by structured agreements outlining collaboration terms, including potential milestone payments as product development progresses. As Semathera’s products advance through clinical stages, the company anticipates integrating these into existing treatment protocols for ocular diseases, further solidifying its presence in the healthcare market.Looking ahead, Semathera Inc. plans to leverage the recent USD 2.6 mn funding received from Amorchem Ventures and Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd to support the development of new products targeting diabetic retinopathy. The company aims to expand into additional markets in Europe and North America, with a focus on regions that experience high rates of diabetes by the end of 2022. Recent funding will be utilized to enhance research efforts and expedite the clinical testing of their biological traps, ensuring timely introduction to the market.

## Funding rounds

- Seed, Jan 11, 2017, $0.8M — GeneChem

## Investors

- GeneChem (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/genechem) — Seed