Chicago-based Vanqua Bio Inc. has raised $85 million in series B financing to accelerate development of its therapies tackling Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2019, Vanqua’s technology is focused on developing small-molecule activators of glucocerebrosidase, an enzyme that regulates levels of lipids in cells.
The market’s appetite for immunology candidates in chronic disease – in particular an oral interleukin-17 (IL-17) therapy for psoriasis – was proved by the upsized IPO pulled off by Dice Therapeutics Inc., and Tyra Biosciences Inc. benefited from the ongoing appetite in precision oncology in another, bigger-than-expected debut. Preclinical-stage Pasithea Therapeutics Inc. went public as well, albeit less spectacularly.
Abion Inc., which focuses on precision oncology, raised ₩38.76 billion (US$33.36 million) in its debut on the Korean Stock Exchange’s Kosdaq board on Sept. 8.
Biopharmas in Asia-Pacific raising money in public or private financings: Asahi Kasei, Brii, Cytovia, Haemalogix, ILC, KB Investment, Prism Biolab, RM Global Partners, Xenikos.
Nectero Medical Inc. has secured $19.5 million in a series C financing round, led by Boston Scientific Corp. The company is developing the Endovascular Aortic Stabilization Treatment (EAST) system, a treatment platform that reduces the growth rate of aortic aneurysms. EAST is currently in a multisite phase I safety study for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients and the financing will be used to fund further in vivo and clinical development.