- Tuesday, May 7, 2024 @ 2:00 pm
Additional CHF 20 million raised from new investors Ysios Capital and Kurma Partners as well as from existing investors
Proceeds will be used to expand Phase II of best-in-class anti-BK Virus antibody to become the largest study ever conducted for BK virus infection in kidney transplantation in kidney transplantation
Memo Therapeutics AG (or “MTx”), a late-stage biotech company developing a best-in-class BKV-neutralizing antibody for BKV infection in kidney transplantation, today announces that it has successfully raised CHF 20 million as part of an extension of its Series C financing, bringing the total amount raised in the funding round to CHF 45 million.
The new funding will be used to bolster the clinical advancement of MTx’s lead asset, AntiBKV, expanding the Phase II trial with a dose evaluation extension to be the largest BK viremia therapeutic study ever conducted in kidney transplant recipients. The disease represents a potential market in excess of $1 billion and is caused by the BK virus, which can become reactivated in immunosuppressed kidney transplant patients leading to severe complications. Initial data from the Phase II trial is expected in the first half of 2025.
The funding will further support the development of MTx’s pipeline by leveraging its B-cell screening platform to select best-in-class humanized antibodies in other viral infections and oncology.
Erik van den Berg, CEO of Memo Therapeutics, commented: “This financing provides further external endorsement of the potential of our highly potent anti-BK virus mAb and our clinical strategy to bring it to patients as quickly as possible. There are more than 100,000 kidney transplants worldwide each year and 20,000 of these are at risk from developing BK virus associated nephropathy. With no disease modifying therapies available, there is an urgent need for a treatment. With FDA fast track status already obtained for the product, we look forward to rapidly progressing the development of AntiBKV.”
New investors Ysios Capital and Kurma Partners participated in the extension round, joining existing Series C round investors including Pureos Bioventures, Swisscanto, Vesalius Biocapital, Adjuvant Capital, Verve Ventures, Schroders Capital, GF Group, Fresenius Medical Care Ventures and Red Alpine.
Thomas Harth, Principal at Ysios Capital stated: “We believe Memo Therapeutics has developed a very powerful antibody that can address the growing concern of BKV infections in kidney transplant recipients. By being able to preserve the kidney and ensure graft outcome, this antibody could offer a tremendous benefit to patients. Deriving antibodies in screening of the B-cell repertoire offers a route to best-in-class antibody medicines for multiple diseases. We believe MTx has one of the best engines to do so within the industry.
We are encouraged to support MTx in its mission to address the unmet medical need of BK viremia and beyond. MTx fits strongly with the investment strategy at Ysios to support breakthrough medicines.”
Hadrien Bouchez, Partner at Kurma Partners added: “MTx has an exceptional leadership team with a proven track record of success. We are very excited to support the development of AntiBKV, an agent which has a unique efficacy and safety profile. Our investment underscores our commitment to supporting companies that are poised to make a significant impact on global healthcare.”
Thomas Harth, Principal at Ysios Capital and Hadrien Bouchez, Partner at Kurma Partners will join the Memo Therapeutics Board of Directors.
Alongside AntiBKV, Memo Therapeutics is developing a panel of pre-clinical assets in cancer and viral infections. These are based on the ability of MTx’s antibody discovery platform DROPZYLLA, to interrogate the antibodyomes of elite controllers of infection and cancer.
