Seattle-based biotech Theraclone Sciences Inc. has added another $8 million to its series B as it advances two antibodies targeting viral infections through clinical development and works on identifying more.
Existing investors ARCH Venture Partners, Canaan Partners, MPM Capital, Healthcare Ventures, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Amgen Ventures, Versant Ventures and Zenyaku Kogyo committed $8 million in a series B extension. That round now totals $50 million. Theraclone also secured $6 million in venture debt through MidCap Financial and Silicon Valley Bank.
Theraclone’s proprietary technology, I-STAR, is a drug-screening method that identifies human monoclonal antibodies with high biological activity and the potential to be turned into therapeutics. It has discovery collaborations with Pfizer, Zenyaku Kogyo and the International AIDS Vaccine Research Initiative.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Its lead antibody, being developed in a partnership with Zenyaku Kogyo, is a treatment for severe hospitalized flu and for the national pandemic stockpile. It’s in a phase 2, proof-of-concept study now with data anticipated this year.
Flu therapies have historically been hard because viruses can replicate and mutate very rapidly. Theraclone says TCN-032 targets “virtually all influenza A strains.”
It’s also developing an antibody for treatment of cytomegalovirus infection, a common virus that can be dangerous to individuals with weakened immune systems or babies in the womb. That drug is currently in a phase 1 dose-escalation study.
Founded as Spaltudaq Corp. in 2004, Theraclone was spun out of biotech investment and development company Accelerator Corp.
