US-based monoclonal antibody developer Arsanis completed a $45.5m series D round on Wednesday that included GV, a corporate venturing unit run by internet and technology conglomerate Alphabet.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation led the round, which included Alexandria Venture Investments, a subsidiary of real estate trust Alexandria Real Estate Equities, as well as , EMBL Ventures, the venture capital arm of research institution European Molecular Biology Laboratory.
OrbiMed, Polaris Venture Partners, SV Health Investors, NeoMed and Anna Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation also contributed to the round.
Arsanis is working on targeted monoclonal antibodies to combat serious infectious diseases by targeting pathogenic processes rather than trying to get rid of the pathogens themselves, a method intended to treat illnesses without contributing to antimicrobial resistance.
The company’s lead product candidate, ASN100, is currently in phase 2 clinical trials for pneumonia caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium.
Rene Russo, CEO of Arsanis, said: “This financing allows us to focus our efforts on completing the ongoing phase 2 study for ASN100, a potential new standard of care for the prevention of Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in high-risk mechanically ventilated patients.
“We also plan to continue to advance our preclinical gram-negative programs, as well as our respiratory syncytial virus program, toward the clinic.”
Arsanis has raised approximately $95m in equity and debt financing since it was founded in 2010, according to press releases and securities filings.
NeoMed led the company’s $20m series B round in 2013, investing together with OrbiMed, Polaris and SV Life Sciences, the participants in the company’s $10m series A in 2011.