Just Biotherapeutics has raised $14m in series A2 funding, with Eli Lilly and Merck & Co returning after taking part in a $15m series A round in September.

US-based protein therapeutics developer Just Biotherapeutics closed a $14m series A2 round on Monday backed by pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Merck & Co.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation led the round, investing $8m, while Lilly Asia Ventures, a corporate venturing subsidiary of Eli Lilly, Merck and venture capital firm Arch Venture Partners contributed $2m each.

Just is developing technology that could cut the commercial cost of monoclonal antibodies in developing markets as well as anti-HIV antibodies that will be…