Domain Therapeutics Raises $42m Series A Financing
To accelerate clinical development of its best-in-class and first-in-class immuno-oncology programs
May 10, 2022 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
STRASBOURG, France & MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Domain Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development of innovative drugs targeting G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in immuno-oncology, announced today the closing of a US $42m (€39m) series A financing round co-led by Panacea Venture, CTI Life Sciences and 3B Future Health Fund, and joined by adMare BioInnovations, Schroders Capital, Omnes, Turenne Capital, Theodorus, Viva BioInnovator and existing investor Seventure Partners.
“After having delivered a first GPCR drug candidate for immuno-oncology together with Merck KGaA, Domain is now committed to advance its own treatments reviving the immune system to defeat cancer.”
This investment is a significant step forward for the French-Canadian company as it seeks to bring novel therapeutic solutions to cancer patients, aimed at bypassing immunosuppression mediated by GPCRs. Domain Therapeutics will use the proceeds of this financing to i) conduct the clinical development of its EP4R antagonist, DT-9081, ii) advance two additional GPCR programs, including an anti-CCR8 antibody, to the Investigational New Drug application stage, and iii) progress its discovery-stage pipeline of a number of first-in-class assets targeting GPCRs, identified through its proprietary platforms.
“We are pleased to welcome our new shareholders and I thank them all for their commitment at this decisive stage of our company’s growth,” comments Pascal Neuville, CEO of Domain Therapeutics. “After having delivered a first GPCR drug candidate for immuno-oncology together with Merck KGaA, Domain is now committed to advance its own treatments reviving the immune system to defeat cancer.”
With the expansion of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatments and the understanding of how tumors highjack and escape the immune system, even under immunostimulating treatments, GPCRs have recently emerged as strategic targets responsible of immunosuppression and treatment-resistance mechanisms. Domain Therapeutics is leveraging its insights into GPCR science and technology to develop a robust immuno-oncology pipeline designed to harness the power of immunity and to broaden the impact of immunotherapies. In addition, Domain Therapeutics scientists are hunting for biomarkers, tissue microarray data, genetic mutations and protein expression to select patients who will benefit most from its immunotherapy treatments.
“Panacea Venture foresees in Domain Therapeutics an outstanding potential in terms of value creation in the near future by leveraging the promise of GPCRs to deliver innovative immunotherapies,” adds James Huang, Founding Managing Partner of Panacea. “We look forward to contributing to the success and the development of the company.”
“We are very proud to co-lead this strategic financial round to support Domain Therapeutics capabilities to innovate and transform the company into a clinical-stage biotech.” mentions Laurence Rulleau, Managing Partner at CTI Life Sciences. “The presence of Canadian investors in this Series A reinforces the footprint of Domain in Montreal and will increase the visibility of the company in North America for future financing and clinical development.”
“Domain Therapeutics has a unique positioning in GPCR-mediated immunoresistance. The combination of two decades of expertise in GPCR drug discovery and the development of the oncology franchise over the last years holds great promise to deliver innovative immunotherapies to patients and to address high unmet medical needs,” remarks Roberto de Ponti, Managing Director and General Partner of 3B Future Health Fund. “We are delighted to support Domain Therapeutics high-performing management team in transforming a comprehensive portfolio of programs into cancer treatments.”
The Board of Directors of Domain Therapeutics is now composed of : James Huang (Director, Panacea Venture), Laurence Rulleau (Director, CTI Life Sciences), Roberto de Ponti (Director, 3B Future Health Fund), Emmanuel Fiessinger (Director, Seventure Partners), Youssef Bennani (Chairman of the Board of Directors), Sylvie Ryckebusch (Independent Director), Pascal Neuville (Director and CEO), Katherine Cohen (Observer, Panacea venture), Frédéric Lemaître Auger (Observer, adMare BioInnovations), Erwin Boos (Observer, Schroders Capital) et Guillaume Blavier (Observer, Omnes).
Advisors involved in this operation
Lawyers
Advisors of the company:
Bird & Bird (Paris, France) : Emmanuelle Porte (Partner) and Claire Tanguy (Associate).
Advisors of investors:
BCF (Montreal, Canada): Gino Martel, Julien Lefebvre (Partners), Luka Pavlovic (Associate);
Jones Day (Paris, France): Geoffroy Pineau-Valencienne (Partner) and Jeanne Plé (Associate) ;
Chammas & Marcheteau (Paris, France): Jerôme Chapron (Partner), Pauline Vigneron (Associate) ;
Taylor Wessing (Paris, France): Nicolas De Witt (Partner) ;
McDermott Will & Emery (Paris, France): Emmanuelle Trombe (Partner), Laetitia de Dinechin (Associate).
Intellectual Property
Advisors of the company:
Vossius & Partner (Munich, Allemagne) : Oswin Ridderbusch (European Patent Attorney);
Lavery Avocats (Montreal, Canada): Alain Dumont (Partner).
Advisors of investors:
Goodwin Procter LLP (Boston, United States): Theresa C. Kavanaugh (Partner).
Financial advisors
Advisors of the company:
Agile Capital Markets (Paris, France) : Eric Cohen (Managing Director), Michael Khayat (Associate) ;
CenPonts Healthcare (Paris, France) : Xianding Ma (Partner), Jinlong Yue (Executive Director).