Keiretsu Forum

Keiretsu Forum Announces 3rd Annual “Pitch Me Green”

Sonja Markova — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:10:36 +0000

Keiretsu Forum, the world’s largest angel investment network, will host its 3rd annual Pitch Me Green event on Wednesday, June 5th from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Hanson Bridgett LLP in San Francisco, California. Pitch Me Green provides resources and mentoring from angel investors to early-stage green and clean technology ventures in order to facilitate the growth of their businesses.

“One of the differentiators of Keiretsu Forum is the quality deal flow in diverse industries with high growth potential,” said Randy Williams, Founder & CEO of Keiretsu Forum. ”Clean technology is a vital component to not only the investing environment but the global environment, as well.”

Pitch Me Green is an initiative led by the Keiretsu Forum Clean Technology Committee and is designed to give burgeoning entrepreneurs the resources that they require to make their startups thrive. The event will include a networking reception, a guest speaker, and presentations from eight startups to a panel of Keiretsu Forum angel investors.

Guest speaker will be David Rummler, National Strategic Relationship Chair of the Clean Tech Open, who will speak on “Clean Tech Investment Directions” addressing strategic shifts in energy generation, energy distribution and storage, energy efficiency, energy use, chemicals and advanced materials, clean web and information technology, green building, transportation, and agriculture-water-waste.

“Pitch Me Green has become a key program for clean technology startups in the San Francisco Bay Area,” said Alison Wellsfry, Keiretsu Forum member and Chair of the Clean Technology Committee. ”This is a great opportunity for seed stage clean technology companies to get the mentoring and resources they need from experienced angel investors.”

To apply to present, complete the on-line application, or contact Summer Williams, Keiretsu Forum Associate, at summer@keiretsuforum.com and +1 (415) 573-0752. To register to attend, visit the online registration link, or contact Nina Quasebarth, Keiretsu Forum Associate, at nina@keiretsuforum.com and +1 (415) 573-0753.

About Keiretsu Forum

Keiretsu Forum was founded by Randy Williams in 2000 and has 26 chapters on three continents, with over 1,000 accredited investor members. Keiretsu Forum is the world’s largest angel investment network. Keiretsu Forum members provide early stage capital in the range of $250k-2 million in high quality, diverse investment opportunities and collaborate in the due-diligence, but make their own individual investment decisions. For more information, visit www.keiretsuforum.com.

Media Contact Person
Sonja Markova
Managing Director
Keiretsu Forum
+1 (415) 573-0751
sonja@keiretsuforum.com

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Maserati Weekend Lease – Opportunity to Win at May 2 Angel Capital Expo

Sonja Markova — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:23:06 +0000

FERRARI MASERATI SILICON VALLEY, the only Factory Authorized Dealership in the Peninsula and South Bay, is graciously sponsoring the May 2 Angel Capital Expo. At the Expo, drop your business card and win the opportunity to drive in style as you take the wheel of a Maserati for a complimentary weekend*.

Ferrari Maserati Silicon Valley
2750 El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94061
(888) 937-2244
www.ferrarisiliconvalley.com | www.maseratisiliconvalley.com

The vehicle: as technically brilliant as it is beautiful, the 2013 Maserati line embraces a legendary heritage based on over 80 years of tradition. Handcrafted in Modena, Italy, the award‐winning Quattroporte and GranTurismo models feature Ferrariengineered V8 engines with a minimum horsepower rating of 400 bhp, mated with a six‐speed ZF automatic transmission. This outstanding performance, combined with a hand‐crafted, meticulously finished interior of rich leather and wood, results in a package that is nothing short of exquisite. Enjoy the elegance and luxury of this rare and legendary Italian brand; experience the passion of a car designed to seduce: take a weekend drive in style, and enjoy an experience that only a Maserati can offer.

* Restrictions apply. Certificate is not transferable (no exceptions). Borrower must sign a Vehicle Loan Agreement and present a valid driver license. Borrower must be over 25 years of age. Vehicle loan is based on availability. 3 weeks notice is required. Pick up and drop off of the vehicle will be at Maserati of Silicon Valley. Weekend loan begins on Friday and concludes on Monday and is limited to 300 miles. Valid through Feb 28, 2013.

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Robert Wiltbank, PhD to Speak at Keiretsu Forum May 2 Angel Capital Expo on Angel Investor Returns

Randy Williams Keiretsu Forum Founder & CEO — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 23:00:36 +0000

We are looking forward to having Robert Wiltbank, Ph.D., Professor of Strategy at Willamette University, as a guest speaker at the May 2 Keiretsu Forum Angel Capital Expo at Microsoft in Mountain View. The Expo is Keiretsu Forum’s signature event bringing together over 300 angel investors and entrepreneurs looking for funding. The Expo will feature presentations from 12 high-quality, diverse investment opportunities in technology, healthcare/life sciences, consumer products, real estate, and funds.

Dr. Wiltbank has been studying angel investor returns in the past 10 years. He will speak on distribution of angel investor returns, the strategies that appear related to better returns, and details on the current activity in angel investing nationally. You may enjoy reading his TechCrunch article Angel Investors Do Make Money, Data Shows 2.5x Returns Overall.

Thursday, May 2, 2013
7:30am to 3:00pm
Microsoft, 1065 La Avenida Street
Mountain View, CA 94043

REGISTER TO ATTEND For more information, please contact: Sonja Markova, Managing Director of Keiretsu Forum, at sonja@keiretsuforum.com and (415) 573-0751.

07:30am – 08:30am           Registration, Breakfast and Booth Exhibitors
08:30am – 08:45am           Welcome and Opening Remarks
08:45am – 10:00am           Presenters – Block I
10:00am – 10:45am           Break and Booth Exhibitors
10:45am – 12:00pm           Presenters – Block II
12:00pm – 01:00pm           Lunch and Booth Exhibitors
01:00pm – 02:15pm           Presenters – Block III
02:15pm – 02:30am           Guest Speaker
02:30pm – 02:50pm           Most Valued Company Award Competition
02:50pm – 03:00pm           Announcement of the Most Valued Company and Adjourn

About the Guest Speaker

Robert Wiltbank, PhD
Wiltbank@willamette.edu | 503-715-7894

Rob is an adviser. He does this primarily as a professor and investor. He provides strategy and entrepreneurship guidance to MBA students, active entrepreneurs, and executive teams at all sorts of organizations and then tries to put his money where his mouth is.

Rob is a professor at Willamette University where he runs an angel investing and startup class that was selected as one of the top 10 entrepreneurship courses in the country by Inc Magazine. He is also the Neal A. Dempsey Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington where he runs his angel investing class.

Rob has been investing in growth stage companies for the last 8 years throughout the Northwest. He’s served on the boards of two acquired companies, Veriwave and Max-Viz, and currently serves on the board of SeQRD. He is a partner at Montlake Capital, and a co-founder and partner at Revenue Capital Management.

Dr. Wiltbank’s academic work on angel investing returns and entrepreneurial expertise is extensive and foundational. He is an author of two books, Effectual Entrepreneurship and The Catalyst, as well as many academic articles. In this academic role, he serves on the board of the Angel Resource Institute, and the Journal of Business Venturing. Rob completed his PhD at the University of Washington and undergraduate work at Oregon State University.

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Savara Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AeroVanc for MRSA Lung Infection in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Randy Williams Keiretsu Forum Founder & CEO — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:27:28 +0000

AUSTIN, TX – April 18, 2013 – Savara Pharmaceuticals announced today that the first patient has started study drug treatment in a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of AeroVanc for the treatment of persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. AeroVanc is the first inhaled antibiotic being developed to address the growing population of MRSA lung-infected CF patients.

Persistent MRSA lung infection in CF patients has been associated with increased use of intravenous (IV) antibiotics, increased hospitalizations, faster decline of lung function, as well as shortened life-expectancy. Persistent MRSA lung infection in CF patients is difficult to eradicate or manage using oral or IV antibiotics, and there is no standard of care to manage the infection in CF patients. IV vancomycin is the antibiotic of choice for acute exacerbations of MRSA lung infections in CF patients, but the burden related to IV administration, as well as poor penetration of vancomycin into the lungs and systemic toxicities, limit its use in a chronic setting. In contrast to the established treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection with inhaled antibiotics, there is no FDA-approved inhaled antibiotic treatment available for MRSA lung infection.

Savara’s Phase 2 clinical trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 80 CF patients at 22 CF centers nationwide. Patients will receive either 32 mg or 64 mg doses of AeroVanc or a corresponding placebo twice daily for 28 days. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of AeroVanc in reducing the quantity of MRSA colony forming units in the sputum cultures. The secondary objectives include evaluation of the efficacy of AeroVanc in improving lung function, reducing respiratory symptoms reported by the patients, and reducing the use of other antibiotics. Study results are expected in the first quarter of 2014.

“We are encouraged by the recent FDA approval of Novartis’ dry-powder TOBI Podhaler for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in CF patients. An inhaled dry powder form of vancomycin for MRSA infection will be a logical addition to this and other treatment options available for CF patients,” said Rob Neville, CEO of Savara Pharmaceuticals. “We are further encouraged by the strong interest and support of key opinion leaders, and the feedback that AeroVanc is exactly what the CF care community has been waiting for.”

Details of the AeroVanc Phase 2 study can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (study identifier NCT01746095).

About AeroVanc

Intravenous vancomycin is the antibiotic of choice for MRSA-related bronchopneumonia, however, the burden of IV administration, poor penetration into the lungs and systemic toxicities limit its use in a chronic setting. AeroVanc (vancomycin hydrochloride inhalation powder) is a proprietary inhaled dry powder form of vancomycin in a capsule-based device designed for convenient self-administration. By targeting vancomycin directly to the lungs, AeroVanc is expected to improve clinical efficacy and reduce side effects due to systemic drug exposure.

About Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a life-shortening genetic disease characterized by thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and frequent lung infections, which result in loss of lung function. As the disease progresses, the lungs of CF patients are typically infected with bacteria that are difficult to eradicate. Physicians have been using nebulized antibiotics to treat these infections and have sought new options for treatment in the chronic care setting. The first successful reformulation of an antibiotic into dry powder inhaled therapy is the recently FDA-approved TOBI Podhaler (tobramycin inhalation powder) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in CF patients. Infection by MRSA has become increasingly common with a prevalence of almost 30 percent of the estimated 30,000 CF patients in the U.S.

About Savara Pharmaceuticals

Savara Pharmaceuticals is an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company developing innovative pulmonary drugs for the treatment of serious and life-threatening conditions. The company’s lead product, AeroVanc, is the first dry powder inhaled antibiotic for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in patients with cystic fibrosis. Savara receives funding for development of AeroVanc from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R44HL112393. The award spans 30 months and is subject to continued progression of the AeroVanc program. For more information about the company, please visit www.savarapharma.com.

# # #

Contacts
Robert Neville, CEO
Savara Pharmaceuticals
(888) 302-4876
info@savarapharma.com

Pam Lord
Canale Communications
(619) 849-6003
pam@canalecomm.com

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Keiretsu University: The Keiretsu Forum Internship Experience

Sonja Markova — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:07:25 +0000

I remember coming out of JumpStartDays in October of 2011 completely inspired and craving the opportunity to engage more in the world of angel investing. It was the perfect starting point for a student interested in both the financial and startup worlds. I would continue volunteering for JumpStartDays and received a few chances to check out the big show where 5 companies had a chance to pitch on the main stage to over 100 angels in the heart San Francisco for a chance at major funding. I hung on every word of the pitches and investor feedback and even had the chance to mix and mingle with the angels during breaks – most of which were successful entrepreneurs with a wealth of knowledge.

I would jump at the opportunity to intern for Keiretsu in the Spring of 2012 and eventually Summer 2012. This took my learning experience even further by getting to engage with a high-performing team and learn the true behind the scenes elements of the angel investing world. Randy Williams is a true visionary CEO who has created a business and community that is not only successful, but also giving to the entrepreneurs and members.

The Keiretsu headquarters team exposed me to all facets of the investing world. I would listen in on calls with established startup CEOs, conduct due diligence on the monthly high-volume deal flow, analyzing slide decks and business plans, and help out across all facets of business development. Working under Sonja Markova gave me the chance to learn what it meant to be truly dedicated and settle for nothing less than the best. She has an unparalleled business sense and eye for great deals. Nina Quasebarth showed me what it meant to create a truly valuable service for members and her leadership surely sets the stage for anyone interested in building and growing a community. These are just three of the many amazing individuals I had a chance to learn from.

There are few places I could have received such a broad, hands-on education. Working at Keiretsu was a priceless learning experience I couldn’t get in the classroom. I had a chance to gain exposure to all facets of the startup world. Not only did I learn about the startups themselves, but I also had the chance to gain exposure to a variety of sectors including Life Science, Clean Tech, Software, and Consumer.

Moreover, getting the chance to observe startup pitches, hear investor feedback, and engage with industry experts would prove to be invaluable preparation as I embarked on my own ventures. I would highly recommend interning for Keiretsu Forum to anyone who is fortunate enough to get the opportunity. I am truly grateful to the Keiretsu Corporate team and the community at large for helping me on my path to a successful career.

Jeremy Fiance interned for Keiretsu Forum October 2011 to July 2012. He is currently a junior undergraduate at UC Berkeley studying Interdisciplinary Business. Jeremy is Northern California President of Kairos Society, an international student entrepreneur community. He is also currently pursuing a venture called VIRES, an engineering company that develops high-growth sustainable products, including vehicle transmissions, mini-UAV wings, plastic recycling machine, and wind turbines. VIRES was recently named one of Inc Magazine’s Coolest College startups.

If you are interested in interning with Keiretsu Forum, please contact Summer Williams, Associate, Keiretsu Forum Northern California.

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Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic Hosts Israel Showcase

Sonja Markova — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 01:59:40 +0000

Keiretsu Forum and Courage Advisors connect angel investors with Israeli entrepreneurs

Philadelphia, April 12, Apr 12, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE via COMTEX) — Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic (K4-MA) will bring its Quarterly Israeli Angel Investment Showcase to Philadelphia on Wednesday April 24.

The Quarterly Israeli Venture Showcase will introduce 5-6 Israeli entrepreneurs and their early stage companies to interested angel investors looking for quality deals and serious investment opportunities. The Showcase will highlight investment opportunities in the two most popular Keiretsu Forum investment silos which are Technology- IT, Security, Mobile, etc. and Life Sciences- Medical Devices, Pharma, and medically related innovations as well as opportunities in the Consumer Produccts and Green products and energy space.

Keiretsu Forum, which includes Chapters in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and the Washington D.C. area, is a region of the Keiretsu Forum global angel network — the world’s largest and most successful accredited investor, private equity community. Keiretsu Forum is known for robust recruitment and due diligence to assure investors the very best investment opportunities.

The Economist reports that Israel has more high-tech startups and a larger venture capital industry per capita than any other country in the world. Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic co-founder Vince Leusner says, “I am a finance executive and my partner, Dr Howard Lubert, is a technology and investment professional. For us, the connection to Israel is a great business move, not an emotional or religious thing. They have wow’d us and our investors with great technology and great investment opportunities and that’s what we have asked Merom to bring to our angel investors.”

In 2009, Israel had the most listings on NASDAQ outside of North America. That same year, Dan Senor and Paul Singer published Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle. The book shows how Israel — with just over seven million citizens and a modest 65 years as a recognized state — produces more start-up companies than large, peaceful and stable nations like Japan, China, India, Korea, Canada and the UK.

Israel is most prolific with breakthrough innovation in Life Sciences and Medical Devices, IT Security and Mobile Technology, Green Technology, Agricultural Technology and Security.

Sponsors of the Quarterly Israeli Venture Showcase include Woodcock Washburn, Greenberg-Traurig, Schnader, Harrison, Segal and Lewis, Courage International Business Advisors, the Government of Israel Economic Mission to North America, Maryland-Israel Development Centre and Virginia Israel Advisory Board. Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic is promoting the event with the Philadelphia-Israel Chamber of Commerce.

Invited presenters include WOW! Israeli innovators like MobiWise, Molecular Detection, Webydo and Derma-Flow.

To learn more about Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic and its mission to connect angel investors with innovative entrepreneurs around the world, visit http://www.KeiretsuForum-MidAtlantic.com/.

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Early Bird Registration Ends Today – May 2 Angel Capital Expo

Sonja Markova — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:51:48 +0000

You are cordially invited to join us at the 13th bi-annual Keiretsu Forum Angel Capital Expo on May 2 at Microsoft in Mountain View. Presenter application deadline is April 12; Early bird registration of $95 ends on April 12, as well.

Pre-Expo Social
The pre-Expo social will be on May 1 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Treasure Island, graciously hosted by ClearGrape LLC, importers of Pisco ORO. At the social we look forward to welcoming Keiretsu Forum members, Expo attendees, and the global Keiretsu Forum Chapter Presidents. RSVP to Pre-Expo Social

Apply to Present
Companies interested in presenting at the Angel Capital Expo should contact Maria Pitt, Associate for Entrepreneur Services, at maria@keiretsuforum.com or call +1 (415) 573-0755. On-line application at http://bit.ly/EXPOapp. Application deadline is April 12.

Register to Attend
Registration to the Expo is free for Keiretsu Forum members. RSVP with nina@keiretsuforum.com. Guest registration is $95 until April 12, and $295 thereafter RSVP to Attend Expo.

About Angel Capital Expo
Angel Capital Expo is Keiretsu Forum’s signature event bringing together over 300 angel investors and entrepreneurs looking for funding. The Expo will feature presentations from 12 high-quality, diverse investment opportunities in technology, healthcare/life sciences, consumer products, real estate, and funds. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Keiretsu Forum Associate Bryson Boatwright.

Guest speaker at the Expo will be Robert Wiltbank, Ph.D., Professor of Strategy at Willamette University, who has been studying angel investor returns in the past 10 years. He will speak on distribution of angel investor returns, the strategies that appear related to better returns, and details on the current activity in angel investing nationally. You may enjoy reading his TechCrunch article Angel Investors Do Make Money, Data Shows 2.5x Returns Overall.

Contact the Keiretsu Forum Northern California Team

- Randy Williams, Founder & CEO; 415-493-9875
- Sonja Markova, Managing Director; 415-573-0751
- Nina Quasebarth, Associate, Member Services; 415-573-0753
- Maria Pitt, Associate, Entrepreneur Services; 415-573-0755
- Bryson Boatwright, Associate, Real Estate Presenters & Sponsor Relations; 415-493-9875
- Summer Williams, Associate; 415-493-9875

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Keiretsu Forum Northwest Hires New Entrepreneur Director to Lead Relationships with Start-up Companies

Sonja Markova — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:00:17 +0000

SEATTLE, WA—April 2, 2013—Keiretsu Forum, the world’s largest investment community of private equity (angel) investors, today announced it has hired a new entrepreneur director, Nate Doran, for the Northwest region (encompassing Seattle, Kirkland, Portland, Boise, Spokane and Vancouver BC chapters). Nate Doran was previously Senior Due Diligence Project Manager with Northwest Energy Angels, Co-Founder of C6 Systems, LLC, and Data Manager at University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. He replaces Harry Lee, who had been entrepreneur director for Keiretsu Forum Northwest for more than four years and recently left the organization for the Bay Area.

Keiretsu Forum Northwest recently reported that $20.1 million was raised by 34 promising companies in 2012 through its organization; and that it has facilitated over $110 million in funding for 180 companies since founding the first northwest chapter in the fall of 2005.

“I have great confidence that Nate will be a strong asset as he serves the needs of the many entrepreneurs who turn to our organization to secure funding,” said Nathan McDonald, President of Keiretsu Forum Northwest. “His background of working with entrepreneurs on due diligence, as well as having been an entrepreneur himself, will ensure he is highly attuned to their needs as well as those of our investor members.”

About Keiretsu Forum

Keiretsu Forum was founded in 2000 in East Bay of San Francisco, CA. With 26 chapters and over 1,000 accredited investor members on three continents, Keiretsu Forum is the world’s largest angel investment network. Keiretsu Forum members provide early-stage capital in the range of $250k-$3m to high-quality, diverse investment opportunities and collaborate in the due diligence, but make their own individual investment decisions. For more information, please go to: www.keiretsuforum.com or http://k4northwest.com/

# # #

For more information, media and bloggers only, please contact:

Gaby Adam
By the Sea Communications
email: gaby@bytheseacommunications.com
mobile: 206-931-5942

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Savara Pharmaceuticals Completes Second Tranche of $16 Million Series B Financing to Advance Treatment of MRSA Lung Infection in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Randy Williams Keiretsu Forum Founder & CEO — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 03:47:06 +0000

Savara Also Announces $4 Million National Institutes of Health Grant

Austin, TX, March 20, 2013 – Savara Pharmaceuticals today announced that it has closed a $7.4 million second tranche of its Series B financing resulting in a total raise of $16 million. Additionally, Savara was awarded a $4 million grant by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. All private equity and non-dilutive funds will support the Phase 2 development of AeroVanc™, the first inhaled antibiotic being developed to treat the increasing number of persistent pulmonary methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Savara’s new investors include members of the Tech Coast Angels and the North Texas Angel Network, along with returning investors from the Central Texas Angel Network and The Keiretsu Forum, which led the $8.6 million first tranche of the Series B in June 2012. Existing independent investors also participated in the round. The second tranche of the Series B was oversubscribed, and to accommodate the additional interest from investors, Savara extended the round from an initial $13 million to $16 million. The company has raised a total of $19 million in private equity since it was founded.

“Savara has quickly emerged as one of the key players in inhaled antibiotics, but unlike all other similar products, AeroVanc is the first one to specifically address the growing problem of MRSA lung infection in cystic fibrosis,” said Rob Neville, Chief Executive Officer of Savara Pharmaceuticals. “This has created substantial interest among an increasing number of high caliber investors, with strong support from key opinion leaders and the CF medical community.”

In Phase 1 studies of AeroVanc in healthy volunteers and CF patients, AeroVanc was well tolerated and demonstrated an excellent pharmacokinetic profile that supports once- or twice-daily administration. AeroVanc has been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Savara plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial of AeroVanc in the first half of 2013 to be carried out in 22 CF centers nationwide.

About AeroVanc^TM

Intravenous vancomycin is the antibiotic of choice for MRSA-related bronchopneumonia, however, IV administration, poor penetration into the lungs and systemic toxicities limit its use in a chronic setting. AeroVanc is a proprietary inhaled dry powder form of vancomycin in a capsule-based device designed for convenient self-administration. By targeting vancomycin directly to the lungs, AeroVanc is expected to improve clinical efficacy and reduce side effects due to systemic drug exposure.

About Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a life-shortening genetic disease characterized by thick, sticky mucus in the lungs and frequent lung infections, which result in loss of lung function. As the disease progresses, the lungs of CF patients are typically infected with bacteria that are difficult to eradicate. Infections such as pseudomonas are usually treated with nebulized antibiotics. In recent years, infection by MRSA has become increasingly common, with a prevalence of almost 30 percent of the estimated 30,000 CF patients in the United States. Persistent MRSA infection is associated with faster decline in lung function and a significantly shortened life expectancy. Currently there is no approved inhaled therapy for MRSA infection for CF patients.

About Savara Pharmaceuticals

Savara Pharmaceuticals is an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company developing innovative pulmonary drugs for the treatment of serious and life-threatening conditions. The company’s lead product, AeroVanc™ (vancomycin hydrochloride inhalation powder), is the first dry powder inhaled antibiotic for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in patients with cystic fibrosis. Savara receives funding for development of AeroVanc from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R44HL112393. The award spans three years and is subject to continued progression of the AeroVanc program. For more information, please see Savara’s website at www.savarapharma.com.

# # #

Contacts:
Robert Neville, CEO
Savara Pharmaceuticals
(888) 302-4876
info@savarapharma.com

Pam Lord
Canale Communications
(619) 849-6003
pam@canalecomm.com

The post Savara Pharmaceuticals Completes Second Tranche of $16 Million Series B Financing to Advance Treatment of MRSA Lung Infection in Cystic Fibrosis Patients appeared first on Keiretsu Forum.

Call for Applications: Keiretsu Forum Angel Investor Network Announces Angel Capital Expo on May 2nd in Silicon Valley

Sonja Markova — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 23:14:29 +0000

World’s Largest Angel Group to Hold Its 13^th Biannual Event Showcasing Start-Ups to Investors

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – March 14, 2013) – Keiretsu Forum, the world’s largest angel investment network, announces its 13^th biannual Angel Capital Expo on Thursday, May 2^nd, 2013 from 7:30am to 3:00pm at Microsoft, 1065 La Avenida Street in Mountain View, California.

Angel Capital Expo is the premier gathering of angel investors and entrepreneurs seeking funding capital to grow their businesses. On May 2^nd more than 300 of the Bay Area’s most active and respected angel investors will attend the Expo.

“Our Angel Capital Expo provides a unique opportunity for collective collaboration in the world of angel investing,” said Randy Williams, Founder and CEO of Keiretsu Forum. “We are proud to play a seminal role in the growth of start-up businesses and job creation at a local, national, and international level.”

Angel Capital Expo will feature a dozen presentations from early stage companies in technology, life sciences, consumer products, real estate, financial services, social ventures, and other segments with high growth potential. All presenters will be pre-screened by a select committee of Keiretsu Forum members. Each entrepreneur will make a 15-minute presentation and will be available for additional discussion and due diligence at their exhibitor booth throughout the day.

Following the presentations, the attendees will vote and award the top three presenting companies the “Most Valued Company” award. At the November 15^th, 2012 Angel Capital Expo this award went to Sword Diagnostics, a detection technology used for disease diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. “The Expo has represented a great event to not only meet investors, but it also has been a great place to meet potential partners and network to resources that will help make us successful,” said Dave Dingott, CEO of Sword Diagnostics.

Apply to Present

Companies interested in presenting at the May 2^nd, 2013 Angel Capital Expo should contact Maria Pitt, Associate for Entrepreneur Services, at maria@keiretsuforum.com or call +1 (415) 573-0755. On-line application is available at http://bit.ly/EXPOapp.

Register to Attend

Hosted by Keiretsu Forum, the Angel Capital Expo is the premier gathering of the angel capital community. Invitation to attend is extended only to accredited investors. On-line registration is available at http://sv-expo2013.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Nina Quasebarth, Associate for Investor/Member Services, at nina@keiretsuforum.com or call +1 (415) 573-0753.

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Keiretsu Forum

Keiretsu Forum Announces 3rd Annual “Pitch Me Green”

Maserati Weekend Lease – Opportunity to Win at May 2 Angel Capital Expo

Robert Wiltbank, PhD to Speak at Keiretsu Forum May 2 Angel Capital Expo on Angel Investor Returns

About the Guest Speaker

Savara Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Trial of AeroVanc for MRSA Lung Infection in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Keiretsu University: The Keiretsu Forum Internship Experience

Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic Hosts Israel Showcase

Early Bird Registration Ends Today – May 2 Angel Capital Expo

Keiretsu Forum Northwest Hires New Entrepreneur Director to Lead Relationships with Start-up Companies

Savara Pharmaceuticals Completes Second Tranche of $16 Million Series B Financing to Advance Treatment of MRSA Lung Infection in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Call for Applications: Keiretsu Forum Angel Investor Network Announces Angel Capital Expo on May 2nd in Silicon Valley

World’s Largest Angel Group to Hold Its 13th Biannual Event Showcasing Start-Ups to Investors

World’s Largest Angel Group to Hold Its 13^th Biannual Event Showcasing Start-Ups to Investors