Capella sings about $15.8m series A

UK-based antibody discovery startup Capella Bioscience has closed an £11m ($15.8m) series A round co-led by Osage University Partners, Advent Life Sciences and Medicxi Ventures.

US-based Osage University Partners is a $400m-plus venture capital fund that invests in companies commercialising university research.

Founded in 2014, Capella is working on antibodies that target cancer and autoimmune disease. The fresh funding will help the company drive development of new programs headed for clinical evaluation.

As part of the deal, Bill Harrington of Osage University Partners has joined the board as an observer.

The round follows an initial seed investment of £1.5m in 2014, by Advent Life Sciences and Medicxi Ventures, formerly Index Ventures.

Steve Holmes, chief operating officer at Capella, said: “In addition to providing significant financial resources, these experienced investors bring Capella a wealth of operational, medical, and industry expertise along with key relationships that will serve the company well during this important stage of growth and development.”