Genocea Biosciences, Inc., a Cambridge, MA-based developer of a new class of T cell-based vaccines, has closed a $35m Series B round of venture financing.
New investors Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC), Skyline Ventures and MP Healthcare Venture Management, Inc. (MPH) joined existing investors Polaris Venture Partners, Lux Capital Management, SR One, Cycad Group, Auriga Partners and Morningside Ventures.
The company intends to use the proceeds to support the clinical development for its lead program, a therapeutic vaccine for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections. Genocea will also use funds to advance its deep research pipeline, including prophylactic vaccine programs addressing Chlamydia trachomatis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, HSV-2 and Plasmodium falciparum (malaria).
In conjunction with the funding, Stephen J. Hoffman, M.D., Ph.D., managing director at Skyline Ventures, joins the company’s board. Genocea also appointed industry veteran Seth Hetherington, M.D., to chief medical officer. He will be responsible for all clinical, medical and regulatory activities.
FinSMEs
03/01/2011