Helsinn Investment Fund and Alexandria Venture Investments both invested as OncoResponse looks to advance five immuno-oncology drug candidates.

US-based immunotherapy developer OncoResponse closed a $40m series B round yesterday featuring Helsinn Investment Fund, the investment vehicle for cancer drug developer Helsinn Group.

RiverVest Venture Partners led the round, which included Alexandria Venture Investments, a subsidiary of real estate investment trust Alexandria Real Estate Equities, as well as Arch Venture Partners, HT Family Office, Canaan Partners, Qatar Investment Authority, Redmile Group and William Marsh Rice University.

OncoResponse is developing antibodies intended to harness the body’s immune system to combat…