Latest news with #AngeliniVentures
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2 days ago
- Business
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Angelini Ventures Invests into €11.25 Million Seed Round for Elkedonia to Advance Neuroplastogens as Novel Therapeutics for Depression and Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Rome, Italy, 11th June 2025 – Angelini Ventures, the corporate venture firm of Angelini Industries focused on investing in companies developing innovative solutions in BioTech and Digital Health, announces its investment in Elkedonia SAS (Strasbourg, France), a pioneering biotech company developing a first-in-class neuroplastogen for the treatment of depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. This €11.25 million seed round was co-led by Kurma Partners, WE Life Sciences and Bpifrance, with participation from Angelini Ventures, Argobio, Carma Fund, Capital Grand Est and Sambrinvest. The funds raised will be used to advance Elkedonia's novel neuroplastogen approach to identify and optimize drug-like small molecule inhibitors of Elk1, a novel intracellular target previously considered to be "undruggable". Elk1 plays a pivotal role in reward brain circuits and neuroplasticity. These mechanisms are often altered in conditions like depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and addiction, making them chronic instead of transient. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that Elk1 inhibition offers a promising and differentiated new approach to treating treatment-resistant depression, with rapid efficacy and without the side effects of psychedelics or ketamine derivatives, such as sedation, dependence, or hallucinations. Part of the financing will be directed toward biomarker research and validation efforts, supporting a precision-based therapeutic strategy. This scientific and commercial potential was identified early by Argobio, which selected and developed Elkedonia within its venture studio. Founded in Paris and backed by leading investors including Angelini Ventures, Argobio partners with European academic institutions to transform early-stage discoveries into biotech companies, with a focus on rare diseases, neuroscience, oncology and is the first of these ventures to reach a significant financing milestone — a clear validation of Argobio's model and approach. This strong European investor syndicate reflects both the confidence of Argobio's founding investors in its model and Elkedonia's ability to attract leading life sciences investors at the seed stage. Building on this momentum, Argobio continues to expand its portfolio with the ambition to scale a repeatable model of biotech creation, driven by scientific excellence, entrepreneurial leadership and long-term investor alignment. 'We are excited to support Elkedonia's groundbreaking work in advancing neuroplastogens, which represents a potential first-in-class approach to treating depression,' said Fabrizio Calisti, Medical Director at Angelini Ventures. 'The novel nature of Elkedonia's target Elk1, previously thought to be undruggable, sets the company apart in the landscape of depression treatments, and we are proud to be part of this transformative journey. This investment reflects Angelini Ventures' commitment to supporting the exciting science coming out of European academic laboratories at the earliest stages via Argobio and subsequently providing further capital through our venture fund to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into therapies with the potential to transform outcomes for people with neuropsychiatric disorders.' Fabrizio Calisti, M.D., Medical Director at Angelini Ventures, will join Elkedonia's Board of Directors. 'I am thrilled to welcome our founding seed investors and thank my colleagues at Argobio for their support in creating Elkedonia. The novelty of our neuroplastogen approach offers a strong value proposition supported by groundbreaking neuroscience research. We are positioned to make a significant impact on the treatment of major depressive disorders, bringing relief to all patients, including young people, adolescents and the elderly,' said Delphine Charvin, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Elkedonia, previously Operating Partner at Argobio. 'In addition, our development of biomarkers will allow us to pursue a precision medicine for patient selection and treatment efficacy monitoring.' *** Notes to EditorsAbout Angelini Ventures Angelini Ventures, the venture capital arm of Angelini Industries, is a Series A and Series B investment firm focused on accelerating disruptive innovations and trends in BioTech and Digital Health. Angelini Ventures will invest €300 million across a global portfolio in Europe and North America, drawing on a global team, strategic advisors and partners to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses into transformative category-leading companies. To date, Angelini Ventures has invested around €100 million into 21 companies covering a range of therapeutic areas and modalities. Angelini Ventures' BioTech portfolio includes Therini Bio, Nuevocor, Neumirna, Cour Pharmaceuticals, Nouscom, Pretzel Therapeutics and Freya Biosciences. The Company's Digital Health portfolio includes Vantis Health, Avation, Cadence Neuroscience, Nobi, Noctrix and Serenis. About Angelini Industries Angelini Industries is a multinational industrial group founded in Ancona in 1919 by Francesco Angelini. Today, Angelini Industries represents a solid and diversified industrial reality that employs approximately 5,800 employees and operates in 21 countries around the world with revenues of over two billion euros, generated in the health, industrial technology and consumer goods sectors. A targeted investment strategy for growth, constant commitment to research and development, deep knowledge of markets and business sectors, make Angelini Industries one of the Italian companies of excellence in the sectors in which it About Elkedonia Elkedonia is a Franco-Belgian start-up company dedicated to transforming the treatment of mental health disorders. Elkedonia is introducing a first-in-class antidepressant approach that leverages precision medicine. The lead discovery program targets the inhibition of the intracellular Elk1 protein to address the needs of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). About ArgobioArgobio is an international biotech start-up studio committed to turning cutting-edge innovations into breakthrough biotech companies. The studio sources early-stage therapeutic projects from leading European academic research institutions, focusing on rare diseases, neurological disorders, oncology, and immunology. By selecting and incubating these projects, Argobio aims to develop them into fully-fledged biotech companies, advancing them to significant Seed or Series A financing. With a team of highly experienced biotech entrepreneurs, the studio offers extensive expertise in novel drug discovery and ContactsAngelini VenturesMartina Palmese, Communications Media contacts for Italy - SEC Newgate ItaliaDaniele Pinosa, Tel. +39 3357233872Fausta Tagliarini; Tel. +39 3476474513Daniele Murgia; Tel. +39 3384330031 Media contacts outside Italy - MEDiSTRAVA Sylvie Berrebi, Sandi Greenwood, Mark Swallowangeliniventures@
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Angelini Ventures Invests into €11.25 Million Seed Round for Elkedonia to Advance Neuroplastogens as Novel Therapeutics for Depression and Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Rome, Italy, 11th June 2025 – Angelini Ventures, the corporate venture firm of Angelini Industries focused on investing in companies developing innovative solutions in BioTech and Digital Health, announces its investment in Elkedonia SAS (Strasbourg, France), a pioneering biotech company developing a first-in-class neuroplastogen for the treatment of depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. This €11.25 million seed round was co-led by Kurma Partners, WE Life Sciences and Bpifrance, with participation from Angelini Ventures, Argobio, Carma Fund, Capital Grand Est and Sambrinvest. The funds raised will be used to advance Elkedonia's novel neuroplastogen approach to identify and optimize drug-like small molecule inhibitors of Elk1, a novel intracellular target previously considered to be "undruggable". Elk1 plays a pivotal role in reward brain circuits and neuroplasticity. These mechanisms are often altered in conditions like depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and addiction, making them chronic instead of transient. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that Elk1 inhibition offers a promising and differentiated new approach to treating treatment-resistant depression, with rapid efficacy and without the side effects of psychedelics or ketamine derivatives, such as sedation, dependence, or hallucinations. Part of the financing will be directed toward biomarker research and validation efforts, supporting a precision-based therapeutic strategy. This scientific and commercial potential was identified early by Argobio, which selected and developed Elkedonia within its venture studio. Founded in Paris and backed by leading investors including Angelini Ventures, Argobio partners with European academic institutions to transform early-stage discoveries into biotech companies, with a focus on rare diseases, neuroscience, oncology and is the first of these ventures to reach a significant financing milestone — a clear validation of Argobio's model and approach. This strong European investor syndicate reflects both the confidence of Argobio's founding investors in its model and Elkedonia's ability to attract leading life sciences investors at the seed stage. Building on this momentum, Argobio continues to expand its portfolio with the ambition to scale a repeatable model of biotech creation, driven by scientific excellence, entrepreneurial leadership and long-term investor alignment. 'We are excited to support Elkedonia's groundbreaking work in advancing neuroplastogens, which represents a potential first-in-class approach to treating depression,' said Fabrizio Calisti, Medical Director at Angelini Ventures. 'The novel nature of Elkedonia's target Elk1, previously thought to be undruggable, sets the company apart in the landscape of depression treatments, and we are proud to be part of this transformative journey. This investment reflects Angelini Ventures' commitment to supporting the exciting science coming out of European academic laboratories at the earliest stages via Argobio and subsequently providing further capital through our venture fund to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into therapies with the potential to transform outcomes for people with neuropsychiatric disorders.' Fabrizio Calisti, M.D., Medical Director at Angelini Ventures, will join Elkedonia's Board of Directors. 'I am thrilled to welcome our founding seed investors and thank my colleagues at Argobio for their support in creating Elkedonia. The novelty of our neuroplastogen approach offers a strong value proposition supported by groundbreaking neuroscience research. We are positioned to make a significant impact on the treatment of major depressive disorders, bringing relief to all patients, including young people, adolescents and the elderly,' said Delphine Charvin, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Elkedonia, previously Operating Partner at Argobio. 'In addition, our development of biomarkers will allow us to pursue a precision medicine for patient selection and treatment efficacy monitoring.' *** Notes to EditorsAbout Angelini Ventures Angelini Ventures, the venture capital arm of Angelini Industries, is a Series A and Series B investment firm focused on accelerating disruptive innovations and trends in BioTech and Digital Health. Angelini Ventures will invest €300 million across a global portfolio in Europe and North America, drawing on a global team, strategic advisors and partners to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses into transformative category-leading companies. To date, Angelini Ventures has invested around €100 million into 21 companies covering a range of therapeutic areas and modalities. Angelini Ventures' BioTech portfolio includes Therini Bio, Nuevocor, Neumirna, Cour Pharmaceuticals, Nouscom, Pretzel Therapeutics and Freya Biosciences. The Company's Digital Health portfolio includes Vantis Health, Avation, Cadence Neuroscience, Nobi, Noctrix and Serenis. About Angelini Industries Angelini Industries is a multinational industrial group founded in Ancona in 1919 by Francesco Angelini. Today, Angelini Industries represents a solid and diversified industrial reality that employs approximately 5,800 employees and operates in 21 countries around the world with revenues of over two billion euros, generated in the health, industrial technology and consumer goods sectors. A targeted investment strategy for growth, constant commitment to research and development, deep knowledge of markets and business sectors, make Angelini Industries one of the Italian companies of excellence in the sectors in which it About Elkedonia Elkedonia is a Franco-Belgian start-up company dedicated to transforming the treatment of mental health disorders. Elkedonia is introducing a first-in-class antidepressant approach that leverages precision medicine. The lead discovery program targets the inhibition of the intracellular Elk1 protein to address the needs of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). About ArgobioArgobio is an international biotech start-up studio committed to turning cutting-edge innovations into breakthrough biotech companies. The studio sources early-stage therapeutic projects from leading European academic research institutions, focusing on rare diseases, neurological disorders, oncology, and immunology. By selecting and incubating these projects, Argobio aims to develop them into fully-fledged biotech companies, advancing them to significant Seed or Series A financing. With a team of highly experienced biotech entrepreneurs, the studio offers extensive expertise in novel drug discovery and ContactsAngelini VenturesMartina Palmese, Communications Media contacts for Italy - SEC Newgate ItaliaDaniele Pinosa, Tel. +39 3357233872Fausta Tagliarini; Tel. +39 3476474513Daniele Murgia; Tel. +39 3384330031 Media contacts outside Italy - MEDiSTRAVA Sylvie Berrebi, Sandi Greenwood, Mark Swallowangeliniventures@
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Angelini Ventures Invests into $39 Million Series A Extension Round for Therini Bio, a Clinical Stage Company Developing Fibrin-targeting Immunotherapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Angelini Ventures joins top-tier investor syndicate Investment will fund Phase 1b studies evaluating Therini Bio's lead candidate, THN391, for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), as well as support development of a fibrin/VEGF bispecific Investment demonstrates Angelini's continued strategic focus in neurodegenerative disease Rome, Italy, 14 May 2025 – Angelini Ventures, the corporate venture firm of Angelini Industries focused on investing in companies developing innovative solutions in BioTech and Digital Health, today announces its participation in a $39 million extension of the Series A financing round for Therini Bio, a US-based clinical-stage biotech company developing fibrin-targeting immunotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases driven by vascular dysfunction. Angelini Ventures joins a syndicate of top-tier international healthcare investors in Therini Bio, including new investor Apollo Health Ventures and existing investors SV Health Investors' Biotech Fund and the Dementia Discovery Fund, Dolby Family Ventures, Eli Lilly and Company, Foundation for a Better World, MRL Ventures Fund and Sanofi Ventures. This latest close brings the total raised by Therini Bio, in its Series A round – first announced in April 2023 – to $75 million. This investment builds on Angelini Ventures' expertise in neurodegeneration, following its recent investments in Neumirna Therapeutics and Arclight Therapeutics. The funds raised by Therini Bio through its extended Series A financing will enable the company to advance Phase 1b studies evaluating its lead candidate, THN391, a potential first-in-class monoclonal antibody designed to selectively block fibrin-mediated neuroinflammation, for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), as well as support development of a fibrin/VEGF bispecific. Thomas Thestrup, Ph.D., Senior Principal at Angelini Ventures and deal lead, said 'We are proud to support Therini Bio's mission to address the underlying vascular and inflammatory drivers of neurodegenerative disease through a truly novel approach. As an active investor in companies developing next-generation treatments for neurodegenerative and other CNS disorders, we are excited about Therini Bio's first-in-class selective antibody therapy targeting fibrin-mediated inflammation, offering a groundbreaking path to transform the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Diabetic Macular Edema.' Fabrizio Calisti, M.D., Medical Director at Angelini Ventures, will join Therini Bio's Board of Directors as a Board Observer. Tara Nickerson, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Therini Bio, said 'We are deeply grateful to partner with such a distinguished investor group, both new and old. Their support enables us to significantly advance our shared vision of delivering patients a rational, innovative approach to potentially treat their debilitating conditions, including AD and DME. We look forward to advancing the Phase 1b trials to demonstrate the benefit of this novel mechanism in patients.' Notes to EditorsAbout Angelini Ventures Angelini Ventures, the venture capital arm of Angelini Industries, is a Series A and Series B investment firm focused on accelerating disruptive innovations and trends in BioTech and Digital Health. Angelini Ventures will invest €300 million across a global portfolio in Europe and North America, drawing on a global team, strategic advisors and partners to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses into transformative category-leading companies. To date, Angelini Ventures has invested around €100 million into 18 companies covering a range of therapeutic areas and modalities. Angelini Ventures' BioTech portfolio includes Nuevocor, Neumirna, Cour Pharmaceuticals, Nouscom, Pretzel Therapeutics and Freya Biosciences. The Company's Digital Health portfolio includes Vantis Health, Avation, Cadence Neuroscience, Nobi, Noctrix and Serenis. About Angelini Industries Angelini Industries is a multinational industrial group founded in Ancona in 1919 by Francesco Angelini. Today, Angelini Industries represents a solid and diversified industrial reality that employs approximately 5,800 employees and operates in 21 countries around the world with revenues of over two billion euros, generated in the health, industrial technology and consumer goods sectors. A targeted investment strategy for growth, constant commitment to research and development, deep knowledge of markets and business sectors, make Angelini Industries one of the Italian companies of excellence in the sectors in which it About Therini Bio Therini Bio is a clinical-stage biotech company developing immunotherapies for neuroinflammation in diseases driven by vascular dysfunction. Therini is developing a pipeline of potential first-in-class therapies selectively targeting toxic fibrin accumulation for diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Diabetic Macular Edema, where destructive neuroinflammation plays a central role in the disease process. Therini Bio's top-tier syndicate of life sciences investors includes the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Angelini Ventures, Apollo Health Ventures, SV Health Investors' Biotech Fund and Dementia Discovery Fund, Dolby Family Ventures, Dreavent Biotech Investments, Eli Lilly and Company, Foundation for a Better World, MRL Ventures Fund, the therapeutics-focused corporate venture fund of Merck & Co., Inc., and Sanofi Ventures. For more information, visit ContactsAngelini VenturesMartina Palmese, Communications Media contacts for Italy - SEC Newgate ItaliaDaniele Pinosa, Tel. +39 3357233872Fausta Tagliarini; Tel. +39 3476474513Daniele Murgia; Tel. +39 3384330031 Media contacts outside Italy - MEDiSTRAVA Sylvie Berrebi, Sandi Greenwood, Mark Swallowangeliniventures@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Therini Bio Raises Additional $39M Series A Financing to Advance Clinical Development of Neurodegenerative Disease Pipeline
- Angelini Ventures and Apollo Health Ventures join existing top-tier investor syndicate- Follows original $36M Series A raise and brings Series A total to $75M- Proceeds are being used to fund Phase 1b Alzheimer's and DME studies, and bispecific development SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Therini Bio, Inc., a clinical-stage biotech company developing fibrin-targeting immunotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases driven by vascular dysfunction today announced that it raised $39 million in a Series A extension financing. The extension financing included new investors, Angelini Ventures and Apollo Health Ventures, in addition to existing investors SV Health Investors' Biotech Fund and Dementia Discovery Fund, MRL Ventures Fund, Sanofi Ventures, Eli Lilly and Company, Dolby Family Ventures and Foundation for a Better World. This financing increased Therini Bio's Series A total to $75M. Therini Bio anticipates using the proceeds to fund Phase 1b trials evaluating its lead candidate, THN391, for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), as well as support development of a fibrin/VEGF bispecific. Therini Bio seeks to target the underlying causes of neurodegeneration. Factors such as aging, genetics and prevalent diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, lead to vascular dysfunction and the accumulation of toxic fibrin deposits outside of blood vessels. These deposits induce chronic neuroinflammation, resulting in neuronal damage and severe neurogenerative diseases. Therini Bio has developed a novel approach aimed at treating these devastating diseases by specifically targeting the inflammatory epitope on fibrin to halt the destructive effects of neuroinflammation. THN391, a potential first-in-class, high-affinity humanized monoclonal antibody designed to selectively block fibrin-mediated neuroinflammation without affecting coagulation pathways, demonstrated activity in preventing vascular and neuronal degeneration in preclinical studies of AD and retinal diseases. In a recent Phase 1a trial, THN391 was well-tolerated in healthy volunteers, showed no adverse hematological effects or impact on coagulation and fibrinolysis, lacked an anti-drug antibody response and had dose-proportional pharmacokinetics with a half-life supporting monthly dosing. Supported by the current data and financing, the experienced team at Therini Bio is preparing to begin dosing patients in Phase 1b trials evaluating THN391 in AD and DME. Tara Nickerson, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Therini Bio and an industry veteran who also played an instrumental role previously in several prominent private and public biotech financings, including as Chief Business Officer of Maze Therapeutics and Prothena Biosciences, remarked, 'We are deeply grateful to partner with such a distinguished investor group, both new and old. Their support enables us to significantly advance our shared vision of delivering patients a rational, innovative approach to potentially treat their debilitating conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and Diabetic Macular Edema. We look forward to advancing the Phase 1b trials to demonstrate the potential benefit of this novel mechanism in patients.' Thomas Thestrup, Senior Principal at Angelini Ventures, who led the investment on behalf of Angelini Ventures stated, 'We are proud to support Therini Bio's mission to address the underlying vascular and inflammatory drivers of neurodegenerative disease through a truly novel approach. As an active CNS investor, we are excited about Therini's first-in-class selective antibody therapy targeting fibrin-mediated inflammation, offering a groundbreaking path to transform the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and DME.' About Therini Bio is a clinical-stage biotech company developing immunotherapies for neuroinflammation in diseases driven by vascular dysfunction. Therini Bio is developing a pipeline of potential first-in-class therapies selectively targeting toxic fibrin accumulation for diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Diabetic Macular Edema, where destructive neuroinflammation plays a central role in the disease process. Therini Bio's top-tier syndicate of life sciences investors includes the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Angelini Ventures, Apollo Health Ventures, SV Health Investors' Biotech Fund and Dementia Discovery Fund, Dolby Family Ventures, Dreavent Biotech Investments, Eli Lilly and Company, Foundation for a Better World, MRL Ventures Fund, the therapeutics-focused corporate venture fund of Merck & Co., Inc., and Sanofi Ventures. For more information, visit Contact Tara Nickerson, Executive Officertnickerson@
