On December 13, 2024, BioSapien, an Abu Dhabi-based biotech startup focused on drug delivery for localized cancer treatment, announced the successful completion of a $5.5 million pre-Series A funding round. The round was led by Global Ventures, a prominent MENA-based venture capital firm, with additional backing from Dara Holdings. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati provided legal counsel to BioSapien on the transaction.

BioSapien plans to use the funds to launch clinical trials for its flagship product, MediChip, in the UAE. Patient enrollment in Abu Dhabi is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2025. The capital will also be directed toward advancing product development, expanding manufacturing capacity, and supporting talent acquisition.

MediChip is a 3D-printed, slow-release drug delivery system designed to adhere directly to tissues. This localized treatment approach minimizes systemic side effects, ensures higher drug concentration within the tumor microenvironment, and reduces the required drug dose while maintaining effectiveness. The platform aims to shrink tumors, relieve symptoms, and potentially eliminate the need for invasive surgeries.

While initially targeting colorectal cancer, MediChip also shows promise for treating pancreatic and lung cancers, along with non-cancer applications like hormone therapies, biologics, and cell and gene therapies.

The Wilson Sonsini team advising BioSapien included Mark Solakian, Tamara Labanowski, and Rebecca Lilley.

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