础听BioTech听which effectively听forces cancer cells to reveal themselves to听patients鈥� immune system has raised 拢15.2 million Series B investment.听
Cambridge firm听NeoPhore听targets听the听DNA mismatch repair pathway.听
The round听was led by Claris Ventures and included 2Invest, 3B Future Health Fund and Astellas Venture Management alongside founding investor the CRT Pioneer Fund.听
NeoPhore听will work closely with its scientific founder Dr Alberto Bardelli from the University of Turin where the original scientific discovery originated and Dr Luis Diaz听to exploit the concept that inhibition of MMR in tumours generates neoantigens that the patients鈥� own immune system can target with a powerful anti-tumour response.听听
The financing will be used to advance听狈别辞笔丑辞谤别鈥檚听drug discovery pipeline.听
/hero-to-deliver-pioneering-occupational-health-programme/
鈥淭his financing validates听狈别辞笔丑辞谤别鈥檚听novel and highly differentiated approach. Our programmes comprise novel first-in-class inhibitors and modulators that target the MMR pathway,鈥� said CEO Dr Matthew Baker.听
鈥淭hese drugs are designed to work in concert with existing immunotherapies to stimulate immunity directly at cancer’s core, effectively forcing cancer cells to reveal themselves to the patients鈥� immune system.听听
鈥淲e anticipate a huge patient benefit in the level and durability of anti-cancer responses in a wide range of indications.鈥�听
Chairman听Dr Robert James听said: 鈥�The recent emergence of novel immunotherapy treatments highlights that the patients鈥� immune system can both detect and fight cancer.听听
鈥�However, long-lived and effective cancer immunity relies strongly on the presence of cancer neoantigens.听NeoPhore听is discovering drugs that create neoantigens and听this financing will enable听NeoPhore听to cement its leading position in MMR drug discovery.鈥�听
/feature-submissions/
Pietro Puglisi, Managing Partner at Claris Ventures, said: 鈥淲e have been impressed by the excellent work achieved by the听NeoPhore听team and we are excited to be part of such an experienced and engaged investor syndicate.听听
鈥�We see tremendous potential to generate first-in-class next-generation immuno-oncology therapeutics to improve clinical outcomes for solid tumour cancer patients.鈥�听
In conjunction with the Series B financing, Pietro Puglisi from Claris Ventures, Heikki听Lanckriet听from 2Invest and Marianne Bjordal from 3B Future Health Fund, will join the听board of听NeoPhore听as听directors.听