The $8m final tranche of the round, which was co-led by Baxalta Ventures, was triggered this week when Syntimmune chose the dose for its lead candidate'sphase 1b/2a trials.

US-based autoimmune disease treatment developer Syntimmune increased the size of a series A round featuring Baxalta Ventures, the strategic investment arm of pharmaceutical company Baxalta, to $26m yesterday.

The round was co-led by Baxalta Ventures and venture capital firm Apple Tree Partners, and included Partners Innovation Fund, the VC representative of care providers Partners HealthCare, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital.

Founded in 2013, Syntimmune is working on therapies for autoimmune diseases based on the biology…