University of Cambridge-founded autoimmune disease developer PredictImmune has expanded its IP base with first refusal rights on prognostics for systemic lupus erythematosus.
PredictImmune, a UK-based autoimmune disease prognostics spinout of University of Cambridge, has licensed additional assets from the university’s tech transfer office, Cambridge Enterprise.
Founded in 2017, PredictImmune supplies prognostic tools which help clinicians determine treatments for patients with immune-mediated disease.
The spinout has already launched algorithm-driven blood tests for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but now also has first refusal on additional Cambridge-owned prognostics concerning the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
SLE is a form of lupus where the immune system turns on the patient’s own tissues and causes widespread inflammation or tissue damage that can impair the lungs, kidneys, joints and blood vessels.
Lupus does not have an existing cure. Instead, treatment focuses on medical interventions and lifestyle changes.
PredictImmune was formed to advance work undertaken in the lab of founder Ken Smith, a professor in University of Cambridge’s Department of Medicine focused on immune regulation, autoimmune disease and infection.
Paul Kinnon, chief executive of PredictImmune, said: “The announcement today will allow us to expand our product portfolio to include SLE, which will enable the benefits of prognostic testing to be brought to millions of new patients in the future.
“The announcement today will allow us to expand our product portfolio to include SLE, which will enable the benefits of prognostic testing to be brought to millions of new patients in the future.”
Cambridge Enterprise and the university’s affiliate fund Cambridge Innovation Capital helped close PredictImmune’s series B round at $12.1m in July 2019, investing together with fund management unit Parkwalk Advisors, part of commercialisation firm IP Group, and investment firm BGF.
PredictImmune also raised $6.1m in an April 2018 series A round led by Parkwalk’s Opportunities Fund, with participation from both Cambridge Enterprise and investment fund Wren Capital.
