US-based gene therapy developer Calimmune closed a $15m series B round today led by an undisclosed large pharmaceutical company.
The round also featured venture capital firm Alexandria Venture Investments and existing investors including fund manager RA Capital Management and VC firm Translational Accelerator.
Founded in 2006, Calimmune is developing a pipeline of gene therapy treatments for patients at different stages of HIV infection, and its lead product candidate, Cal-1, is currently in Phase I/II studies. The funding will support ongoing clinical trials and advanced technology research.
Louis Breton, CEO of Calimmune, said: “We are inspired by the support of such a high-caliber group of investors who share in our vision to provide enduring, perhaps lifelong, benefits to patients whose daily lives are severely compromised by currently incurable devastating diseases.
“Over the past several decades, HIV/AIDS has shifted from a deadly disease to one that can largely be managed with medication. The next logical step in the evolution of HIV/AIDS patient care is finding a cure by enhancing the body’s own defences.”
Calimmune has not disclosed details concerning its earlier funding rounds apart from RA Capital and Translational Accelerator’s involvement. Non-profit organisation Desert Angels is also a past investor.