Alexandria Venture Investments Launches the Alexandria Seed Capital Platform, a Novel and Innovative Seed-Stage Life Science Funding Model and a Natural Extension of Alexandria LaunchLabs

Alexandria Venture Investments will lead the Seed Capital Platform's Advisory Board, which comprises top biopharma and venture capital executives, in evaluating the most promising seed-stage life science startups

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

Jan 08, 2018, 08:30 ET

NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexandria Venture Investments, the strategic venture capital arm of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an urban office REIT uniquely focused on collaborative life science and technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, today announced the formal launch of the Alexandria Seed Capital Platform, an innovative funding model that brings together leaders from across the life science community to catalyze seed-stage investment in the most promising life science startups. The Alexandria Seed Capital Platform will be led by Alexandria Venture Investments and supported by a preeminent Advisory Board of seasoned biopharma and venture capital executives from Accelerator Life Science Partners, ARCH Venture Partners, Eli Lilly and Company, Pfizer and Roche.

As a distinguished leader in building world-class urban campuses that cluster innovation, talent and capital in the most attractive locations; providing strategic venture investment to cutting-edge life science companies; and convening a world-class network in renowned thought leadership programs, Alexandria is ideally suited to lead this Seed Capital Platform.

"Supporting leading entrepreneurs who are focused on translating early discoveries into transformative new treatments for patients is core to Alexandria's mission to advance human health and improve quality of life," said Joel S. Marcus, chairman, CEO and founder of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. and Alexandria Venture Investments. "We are thrilled to be launching the Alexandria Seed Capital Platform, backed by an impressive Advisory Board with a shared commitment to foster and grow every facet of the life science ecosystem."

Alexandria Venture Investments is led by a highly experienced team of investment professionals and has established a strong track record over its 21-year history. With increased focus on seed-stage investments, Alexandria has recently participated in numerous seed-stage financings in transformative life science companies across the country, including 3DBio Therapeutics, Cyrus Biotechnology, EpiBone, Molecular Assemblies, Skyhawk Therapeutics, TARA Biosystems and TwinStrand Biosciences.

The Alexandria Seed Capital Platform is a natural extension of the company's premier life science startup platform, Alexandria LaunchLabs^®, which opened its flagship site at the Alexandria Center^® for Life Science – New York City in June 2017. Demonstrating the strong demand for full-service, flexible co-working laboratory and office space in the heart of New York City's biotech cluster, Alexandria LaunchLabs – New York City has accepted over 20 member companies from a competitive pool of more than 150 applicants. All Alexandria LaunchLabs member companies will have the opportunity to apply for seed funding through the Alexandria Seed Capital Platform.

Other eligible investment opportunities will be sourced from across Alexandria's national network and will include novel drug discovery platforms, diagnostics, medical technologies and bioinformatics-driven healthcare solutions. Alexandria Venture Investments will vet seed-stage companies of interest through the Seed Capital Platform and guide milestone-driven investments based on the quality and differentiation of a company's technology, foundational IP, business strategy, financing plan and management team. Leveraging its deep experience in building and nurturing life science companies, Alexandria and the Advisory Board will also serve as mentors for the entrepreneurs who receive funding through the platform. This high level of engagement is designed to enhance the trajectory of recipient seed-stage companies and lay a foundation for future investment and collaboration.

"The Alexandria Seed Capital Platform will create momentum around seed-stage life science investing and attract new interest from traditional and non-traditional investors to funding opportunities that represent the promise of transformative discoveries in biomedicine, with significant financial returns," said Jenna Foger, senior principal of science and technology at Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. and Alexandria Venture Investments. "We look forward to reinforcing a strong pipeline of seed-stage companies and cultivating the next generation of industry leaders."

The Alexandria Seed Capital Platform was formally announced on Sunday, January 7, 2018, at the Alexandria Seed Capital Forum in San Francisco in advance of the 36th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. During this invitation-only forum, Alexandria convened a world-class network of leaders from across the life science and technology communities to discuss the opportunities for and challenges in nurturing a more collaborative culture around seed-stage investing in the life sciences.

About Alexandria Venture Investments
Alexandria Venture Investments, founded in 1996, is the strategic venture capital arm of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Alexandria Venture Investments focuses on novel, breakthrough discoveries in biopharma, diagnostics, research tools, agtech and technology. Based on its experience and in-depth understanding of the life science and technology industries, its long-term relationships with leading investors and its world-class international scientific advisory network, Alexandria Venture Investments is uniquely positioned to fund seed-, early- and growth-stage companies.

About Alexandria LaunchLabs^®
Alexandria LaunchLabs is the premier, full-service startup platform designed to dramatically accelerate the growth of early-stage life science startups. With its flagship site at the Alexandria Center^® for Life Science – New York City, Alexandria LaunchLabs provides move-in-ready office/laboratory space, first-class support resources, shared equipment and services, creative amenities and access to startup capital through the Alexandria Seed Capital Platform—all of which are critical for driving the growth of seed- and early-stage companies in New York City and across the country. The Alexandria LaunchLabs team continues to accept applications for future members. For more information or to apply, please visit www.launchlabsnyc.com.

About Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500^® company, is an urban office REIT uniquely focused on collaborative life science and technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, with a total market capitalization of $16.1 billion and an asset base in North America of 28.6 million square feet as of September 30, 2017. Founded in 1994, Alexandria pioneered this niche and has since established a significant market presence in key locations, including Greater Boston, San Francisco, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland and Research Triangle Park. Alexandria has a longstanding and proven track record of developing Class A properties clustered in urban life science and technology campuses that provide its innovative tenants with highly dynamic and collaborative environments that enhance their ability to successfully recruit and retain world-class talent and inspire productivity, efficiency, creativity and success. For more information, please visit www.are.com.