The immuno-oncology antibody developer added $7m to a round already containing University of Texas system's MD Anderson, which helped spin out OncoResponse a year ago.
OncoResponse, a US-based company researching antibodies for immune-oncology treatments, added $7m yesterday to a corporate-backed series A round that now totals $19.5m.
Helsinn Investment Fund, the unit recently launched by cancer care provider Helsinn, and venture capital firm GreatPoint Ventures each provided $3.5m. Baxalta, the biopharmaceutical company since acquired by pharmaceutical firm Shire, had invested $3m in June 2016.
MD Anderson, a research institute of University of Texas system, Arch Venture Partners, the VC firm spun out of Chicago University’s tech transfer office, and Canaan Partners co-led the $9.5m first tranche of the round in October 2015, investing together with William Marsh Rice University and life sciences property group Alexandria Real Estate Equities.
OncoResponse was spun out by MD Anderson and biopharmaceutical company Theraclone Sciences a year ago. Its technology screens antibodies generated by the immune system to identify which are the most reactive to cancer immunotherapy, and which could potentially form the basis for new oncology therapies.
MD Anderson supplies the patient samples and contributes oncology and translational medicine expertise.
Clifford J. Stocks, OncoResponse’s CEO, said: “These additional funds will support the continued progression of our research programs that aim to identify therapeutically relevant antibodies from patients with elite response to cancer immunotherapy in a number of oncology indications.”
– A version of this article first appeared on our sister site Global Corporate Venturing.
