Anergis, a Switzerland-based firm to inhibit birch pollen allergies, has raised SFr18m ($20m) in its series A round co-led by Vinci Capital-Renaissance PME, a local venture capital firm.
Patrick Scherrer from Vinci Capital-Renaissance PME has joined the Anergis board. Vinci Capital manages the funds of Renaissance PME on behalf of Swiss pension funds and Mona Lisa that is funded by phone operator Swisscom.
The other investors were venture capital firms BioMedPartners, Sunstone Capital, Esperante, Initiative Capital Romandie and private investors.
Previously, Anergis invested SFr3m from private investors and from a grant by the Swiss Innovation Fund (CTI).
Anergis will use the funds to carry out a large Phase II study with its lead birch pollen allergy product, AllerT, and build its preclinical portfolio. The firm said the investment will cover its financial requirements for the next two years.