ImmunOs Therapeutics AG, a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its HLA-based technology platform to develop first-in-class therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, closed an oversubscribed Series B financing round led by new investors Samsara BioCapital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Gimv. The proceeds will be used to fund the clinical development of ImmunOs’ lead program through Phase 2 clinical trials.
ImmunOs Therapeutics has identified specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules known to activate the immune system and is utilizing these HLA molecules as the backbone of novel therapies capable of stimulating both the innate and the adaptive immune systems of cancer patients to eliminate tumor cells. ImmunOs’ lead program IOS-1002 is a multi-functional fusion protein that blocks specific LILRB (leukocyte immunoglobulin-like) and KIR (killer cell immunoglobulin-like) receptors and activates anti-tumor responses. A Phase 1 clinical trial is planned to start in the second half of 2022.
The proceeds of the new financing round will be used to fund the clinical development IOS-1002 and to progress additional oncology and autoimmune disease programs within the Company´s HLA-based pipeline towards clinical development. Additionally, the University of Zurich spin-off has established a U.S. subsidiary to further expand its international reach, execute future U.S. clinical trials, and strengthen its transatlantic operations and team.
The round was led by new investors Samsara BioCapital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Gimv, and joined by new investors Mission BioCapital, GL Capital, PEAK6 Strategic Capital, and Fiscus Financial, as well as existing investors Pfizer Ventures, BioMed Partners, Redalpine, and Schroder Adveq. In connection with the financing, Shelley Chu, MD, PhD, Partner at Lightspeed, Marcos Milla, PhD, Venture Partner at Samsara, and Andreas Jurgeit, PhD, Partner at Gimv, will join the Company’s Board of Directors, which currently includes Reinhard Ambros, PhD, Chairperson and former Head of the Novartis Venture Fund, Daniel Vasella, MD, Vice Chairperson and former Chairperson and CEO of Novartis AG, Markus Hosang, PhD, General Partner at BioMed Partners, Michael Baran, PhD, Partner at Pfizer Ventures, and Sean R. Smith, CEO of ImmunOs.
"We are delighted to close this significant financing round led by a group of top-tier U.S. and European investors," said Sean R. Smith, CEO of ImmunOs Therapeutics. "The raise underlines our promising, first-in-class immunotherapy approach for the treatment of both solid and liquid tumors."
(Press release / SK)
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