Infinitopes Precision Immunomics, an Oxford, UK-based integrated cancer biotech company, raised £12.8M in Seed funding.
The round was led by Octopus Ventures with participation from Cancer Research Horizons, Cancer Research Institute, CRIS Cancer Foundation, Kindred Capital, Manta Ray, Martlet Capital, Meltwind Advisory, Saras Capital, Wilbe Capital, and expert angel investors.
The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the installation of LC-MS/MS mass spectrometer equipment, enhancing it proprietary tumour antigen discovery and computational immunobiology/AI/machine learning techniques, to identify and rank the best target combinations, to treat five more cancers.
Led by CEO Jonathan Kwok, Infinitopes combines two platforms, in precision antigen discovery and in high efficiency, vector delivery systems, to develop immunologically durable vaccines for use against multiple solid tumour indications. The lead vaccine candidate is expected to begin phase I/IIa trials in Q3 2024.
Using its Precision ImmunomicsTM antigen discovery technologies, the company can identify and rank tumour signatures, without prior bias, enabling the accurate selection of novel, synergistic tumour targets. Infinitopes develops safe and effective, proprietary vector delivery systems, capable of stimulating durable T-cell responses necessary to prevent the recurrence of life-threatening cancer metastases. Its lead asset, a novel cancer vaccine called ITOP1, is scheduled to commence a phase I/IIa study in first line cancer patients in the third quarter of 2024.
The new investment accelerates the installation of best in class, next generation LC-MS/MS mass spectrometer equipment, enhancing the company’s proprietary tumour antigen discovery and computational immunobiology/AI/machine learning techniques, to identify and rank the best target combinations, to treat five more cancers.
Commenting on the news, Jonathan Kwok said: “Since founding in September 2021, Infinitopes has established world leading capabilities to design, develop, and clinically evaluate an exciting new class of precision targeted, durable cancer vaccines. Our therapies are emerging at a time when blockbuster checkpoint inhibitors are hitting their peak, capable of preventing tumour recurrence in 30-40 per cent of patients at best. Our preclinical results suggest that our vaccines may significantly outperform them, to transform care for future cancer patients. We’re excited to announce this fundraise, which enables us to pursue our uniquely integrated strategy of selecting the right targets, with the right vectors, for the right patients, at the right time in their treatment journey. We continue to seek academic and Big Pharma collaborators, smart technical investors, and passionate new hires and interns to join our mission to cure cancer.”
FinSMEs
30/04/2024