Novartis has co-led a $17m series A round for Inflazome, which is working on treatments for a range of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Ireland-based biotechnology developer Inflazome closed a $17m series A round on Sunday that was co-led by Novartis Venture Fund, the investment arm of pharmaceutical firm Novartis, and VC fund Fountain Healthcare Partners.

Inflazome is developing therapies for a range of conditions caused by chronic inflammation, such as asthma or Parkinson’s disease. The treatments use inhibitors of the inflammasome, a part of the human immune system responsible for activating inflammatory processes.

The technology is based on research conducted by co-founders Matt…