PORTFOLIO
Meet the AIF portfolio companies that are transforming the status quo for ASD, neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health issues, and other complex chronic conditions.
We invest in companies that will move the needle in how we diagnose, treat, and provide lifelong support to individuals with ASD, neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health issues, and other complex chronic conditions.
Life Sciences
DATA & TECH-ENABLED SERVICES
MEET THE COMPANIES
Auticon is an information technology and communications technology (ICT) firm that is the global leader in employing neurodiverse adults as data technology solution providers. Auticon harnesses a uniquely qualified team of neurodiverse employees via a proprietary model that implements AI-driven analytics, process automation and complex software development solutions for clients. Originally founded in Germany in 2011, Auticon has since expanded its operations to employ ~250 autistic consultants across the United States, United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Canada, Italy, and Australia. Auticon partners with large, multi-national clients, including Merck, Airbus, Deloitte, KPMG, Johnson & Johnson, Salesforce, Disney, Siemens, BMW, Volkswagen, Porsche, Virgin, and the UN.
Axial is developing a pipeline of gut-restricted small molecules intended for use in the treatment of CNS disorders and cancer. Rooted in the work of CalTech’s Sarkis Mazmanian, PhD, Axial’s approach focuses on building therapeutics that are well-tolerated and demonstrate low systemic absorption, which do not currently exist for neurodevelopmental disorders. Axial’s lead candidate is a Phase IIb-ready compound intended to treat and reduce harmful metabolites in the gut in ASD, which are hypothesized to contribute to irritability, anxiety, and repetitive behaviors.
BioROSA is developing a blood test that will detect ASD in children. A positive BioROSA test can allow for early intervention services to begin, which have been shown to improve language, social skills, and IQ for many children with ASD.
Cortica is the market leader in bringing together all the resources a child and family need (pediatric neurology, genetics, and other medical expertise, behavioral therapists, speech therapists, and more), addressing underlying both behavioral and medical conditions using custom built technology for care coordination and data capture. The Company’s robust array of screening tools, services, and interventions enables Cortica to deliver programs that are tailored to the unique medical and behavioral needs of the individual. While over half of the Company’s patients are autistic, Cortica’s model allows flexibility to address any condition that impacts brain function or development (i.e., epilepsy, ADHD, brain injury, mental health conditions, learning disabilities, etc.), many of which co-occur with autism. Cortica’s coordinated approach leads to best-in-class member satisfaction and empowers families to achieve long-lasting, transformative results.
Floreo is leveraging the power of virtual reality to provide a method of teaching social, behavioral, communication, and life skills for individuals with ASD, ADHD, anxiety, and related diagnoses. With a mobile-friendly platform that is remotely accessible at an affordable price point, Floreo is addressing several key barriers to care.
Healios (US subsidiary: Meliora Health) is a multinational healthcare company providing telehealth services for children and adults, online diagnosis for ADHD and autism, and mental health therapy. With the highest standard in care delivery, Healios offers country-specific solutions in the UK and US markets. Healios’ virtual-first ecosystem solution manages both the extensive range and the changing needs of mild to complex MH and ND of children aged 18 months to 18 years, to deliver better care for individual families. The virtual services include tech-driven diagnosis, mental health and client needs assessment, and mental health support, with a suite of services including gold-standard diagnostic tools, goals-based intervention, cognitive behavior therapy, professional coaching, and post-diagnostic support. Since its inception, the company has completed 32K+ specialist patient referrals, 115K+ digital assessments, and published 14 academic papers. Healios is referenced in NHS England’s National Autism Best Practice Guide and has received two endorsements from the UK National Institution for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). In the US, Meliora Health has coverage in 6 US states and are rolling out national coverage in 2023.
Joshin is using a tech-enabled platform to match special needs caregivers with the 1-in-5 families requiring specialized care. For a monthly fee, families obtain access to a local network of pre-screened and qualified caregivers, enabling them to build and coordinate scheduling for a “care team” of individuals equipped to handle the specialized needs of their child.
MARAbio is a first-of-its-kind actionable diagnostic test for assessing the risk of having an autistic child in an estimated $4B market. MARAbio has exclusively licensed a unique technology from the UC Davis MIND Institute. The technology identifies the risk of developing Maternal Autoantibody Related Autism (MARA), a subtype of autism representing an estimated 20% of overall cases, through a new risk assessment test for prospective mothers before (not during) pregnancy and for mothers during the early postnatal period.
SpectrumAi develops innovative solutions for life-changing therapies, starting with applied behavioral analysis. Twyll is an electronic health record purpose-built to modernize ABA and reduce supervisor and technician burnout while paving a path to value-based care. Patterns network analytics lets payors collaborate with network providers to better manage access and utilization to meet their members’ needs.
Suggestic is an app developer focused on the nutrition sector that integrates diverse datasets, a precision medicine approach, and AI framework to deliver actionable nutrition insights to end users. Growing evidence is suggesting the role of gut inflammation and dysbiosis in exacerbating symptoms of ASD and related complex chronic conditions. Suggestic builds applications for a diverse client base including food distributers, supplement companies, lab testing facilities, and healthcare practitioners to support their own users in optimizing personalized nutrition.
Yamo Pharmaceuticals is a drug discovery company developing a Phase II compound for the treatment of core ASD symptoms. With no safe, effective therapeutics currently on the market for autism, Yamo’s drug candidate (L1-79) offers an alternative to the two currently approved drugs for treating irritability in ASD, which are both antipsychotics with black box warnings. Preliminary trial results showed L1-79 to be well-tolerated while decreasing autism severity and improving socialization and communication skills. L1-79 received the FDA Fast Track Designation in 2018 and was sought by parents for a Compassionate Use Waiver.