Aerium Therapeutics emerges from stealth mode with substantial Series A funding

Aerium Therapeutics, a new biopharmaceutical company launching today, is dedicated to discovering and developing novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and antiviral treatments against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and its variants, as well as future epidemic and pandemic threats. Aerium was seeded and incubated by Omega Funds in 2021 and started in collaboration with its two scientific founders, Dr. Giuseppe Pantaleo (CHUV) and Dr. Didier Trono (EPFL) in Switzerland. Both scientists are applying their substantial expertise and research capabilities to discover new mAbs against SARS-CoV-2.

Despite the extraordinary biomedical innovation seen in COVID-19, there remains a major unmet medical need for effective therapeutic and preventive agents against the rapidly evolving SARS-CoV-2 virus, particularly in vulnerable populations for which vaccines do not provide adequate protection.

Aerium Therapeutics' initial efforts are focused on two monoclonal antibodies that, in preclinical testing, have shown potent neutralization of important COVID-19 Variants of Concern (VOCs), including Delta, Omicron and Omicron's subvariants BA.1, BA.1.1 and BA.2. 

"For the first time in history, we have the technology and scientific know-how to get ahead of the pandemic threat, and we can test that capability against new SARS-CoV-2 variants that are constantly emerging," said Rajeev Venkayya, M.D., CEO of Aerium Therapeutics and former President of Takeda's Global Vaccine Business Unit. "Aerium brings together world-class science, leadership and investors to prove what is possible, and I couldn't be more excited to be a part of this effort." Aerium is based in Boston and Lausanne.

(Press release / SK)