US-based biotechnology company Alector has secured $32m in series C funding led by MRL Ventures, a seed-stage corporate venturing fund of pharmaceutical firm Merck.
Google Ventures, the investment vehicle of internet company Google, OrbiMed Advisors, Polaris Partners, Topspin Partners, Mission Bay Capital and unnamed backers also took part in the round.
Launched in 2013, Alector is working on treatments for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The company’s therapies harness the body’s own immune system to prevent the conditions.
The series C cash will go towards expanding Alector’s pipeline and advance several drug candidates into clinical trials. The company is also seeking to hire immunologists and neurobiologists.
Polaris Venture Partners and OrbiMed Advisors previously invested an undisclosed amount of series A capital in 2013. In March 2014, pharmaceutical company Janssen injected an undisclosed sum.
Alector is reportedly already in talks to close a series D round by the end of 2015.