US-based immunotherapy developer Sonoma Biotherapeutics increased its series A round to $70m on Wednesday thanks to a $30m extension involving immuno-oncology drug developer Lyell Immunopharma and pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly.
Life sciences real estate investment trust Alexandria Real Estate Equities also took part in the round through Alexandria Venture Investments, while Eli Lilly contributed through Lilly Asia Ventures Biosciences.
Arch Venture Partners, 8VC, LifeForce Capital, Octagon Capital, the JDRF T1D Fund and additional undisclosed investors filled out the round.
Sonoma had collected an initial $40m in series A financing from Lyell Immunopharma, Milky Way Ventures, Arch Venture Partners and 8VC when it launched in February 2020.
Sonoma is working on treatments for autoimmune and degenerative conditions. Its approach relies on engineered regulatory T-cells, which control or suppress other cells in the immune system – effectively using cell therapy to reprogram the immune system.
The company appointed Leonard Dragone as chief medical officer, Sejal Hall as vice-president of portfolio, program and alliance management, and Susan Lacy as vice-president of discovery in conjunction with the round.
Rick Klausner, executive chairman of Lyell Immunopharma and chair of Sonoma’s board, said: “This expansion of the Sonoma team and the series A financing will enable [CEO Jeffrey Bluestone] and the rest of the organisation to continue their great progress.
“They are well poised to drive the next generation of cell therapy forward to advance treatments and potentially cures for patients with significant unmet medical need.”
