This investment will help Peptomyc lead its drug candidate OMO103 into clinical phase I/II as a treatment for solid tumors
Barcelona, Spain, December 15, 2020 – Peptomyc S.L., a biotech company specialized in the development of protein and peptide therapeutics for cancer treatment, has just announced the completion of an equity financing round of EUR 11.4 million. The company is focused on the development of a new generation of cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) targeting the Myc oncoprotein for cancer treatment.
Peptomyc is relying on a strong syndicate of life sciences investors. This investment was led by AurorA Science and substantially supported by existing investors including Alta Life Sciences, HealthEquity, Business Angels and the CDTI. Also, Peptomyc’s employees had the opportunity to invest in the company.
This financing will enable Peptomyc to advance OMO103 until preliminary results of phase I clinical trial. OMO103 has already demonstrated its safety and anti-tumor activity in multiple types of experimental models of cancer and it is now ready to be tested in clinical studies. The treatment of the first patient with the lead candidate, OMO103, is expected to start in Q1, 2021.
“We are delighted to have attracted such high-profile investors to our company,” said Laura Soucek, CEO of Peptomyc. “I am confident that their industrial background and extensive experience in bio-pharma and translational medicine will significantly contribute to the success of our product.”
“We were excited to have the opportunity to participate in this financing” said Guido Guidi, chairman of AurorA Science. “Peptomyc is a promising company matching our industrial criteria, following a rigorous selection process managed by AurorA Science’s three partners, AurorA-TT, Rottapharm Biotech and Italfarmaco. We are glad to support a company with front edge science and outstanding potential to bring benefits to patients.”
Of note: Peptomyc is already preparing for a new financing round for 2021 to ensure the swift execution of its ongoing and planned clinical development programs until completion of successful clinical Phase II studies.
About Peptomyc
Peptomyc (www.peptomyc.com) is a spin-off from VHIO – the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology – and ICREA – the Catalan Institute of Research and Advanced Studies -, founded in December 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. The company is focused on the development of innovative cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) targeting the Myc oncoprotein for cancer treatment.
About AurorA Science
AurorA Science is a biotech investment company integrating an innovative financial and industrial approach in the research and development challenge. The company is focused on independent and entrepreneurial biotech start-ups in Europe with high therapeutic potential, providing industrial and financial support.
About Alta Life Sciences
Alta Life Sciences Spain I FCR (ALSS I FCR) is a venture capital fund that invests in companies in all their stages of development: from financing through seed capital to business growth, and in all spheres of life sciences including biotechnology, medical devices, diagnosis, genomics and digital health. Altamar Private Equity SGIIC, a leading independent firm in the management of international private assets, is the managing company of ALSS I FCR and Alta Life Sciences, S.L., formed by leading professionals in the life sciences business, acts as an exclusive investment consultant. www.altals.com.
About HealthEquity
HealthEquity is a Spanish venture capital firm investing in early-stage companies in the healthcare sector, with a special focus on biotechnology and medical devices. Founded by the Barcelona Medical Association and the financial group Riva y Garcia, HealthEquity is looking for projects to bring successful innovative life science companies to the marketplace and to foster the Catalan and Spanish biotech ecosystem.