ViaNautis, a nanomedicine company based in Cambridge, has secured a substantial $25 million in Series A funding in a round led by 4BIO Capital, BGF, and UCB Ventures. Additional participation came from notable entities including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Eli Lilly and Company, as well as existing investors such as Origin Capital, Meltwind, and O2H. Formerly recognized as SomaServe, ViaNautis plans to deploy the funds to advance its proprietary drug delivery platform, polyNaut®, and expedite the development of products utilizing this innovative technology.
Founded in 2018 as a spinout from University College London (UCL), ViaNautis, led by CEO Dr. Francesca Crawford and co-founders Dr. Denis Cecchin and Professor Giuseppe Battaglia, focuses on leveraging the unique capabilities of polyNaut®. This nano-engineered polymer technology facilitates precise intracellular delivery, allowing polymer nanoparticles to transport diverse payloads, including small molecules and genetic materials, directly to the cell cytoplasm.
The breakthrough nature of polyNaut® addresses challenges associated with conventional drug delivery methods, particularly in transporting genetic materials across biological barriers. This positions ViaNautis at the forefront of advancing medicines for conditions with unmet clinical needs, such as Cystic Fibrosis and central nervous system diseases.
Francesca Crawford, the visionary CEO of ViaNautis, expressed immense enthusiasm about the company’s recent triumph in securing $25 million in funding. She emphasized that this substantial fundraise empowers ViaNautis to accelerate the deployment of their proprietary polyNaut® technology. This cutting-edge innovation offers unparalleled access to critical areas like the brain and other tissues, unlocking significant opportunities to combat both central nervous system (CNS) and lung diseases. In her statement, Crawford warmly welcomed the new investors and expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering support of existing shareholders.
Owen Smith, a Partner at 4BIO Capital, added his voice to the chorus of optimism, highlighting the pivotal role ViaNautis plays in the advancing field of genetic therapies. Smith underscored the company’s significance in overcoming a key bottleneck in the cell and gene therapy field by enabling safe and precise delivery to previously inaccessible sites within the body. He commended ViaNautis for presenting a unique pathway toward developing a new generation of genetic medicines, particularly for patients with limited or no alternative treatment options.
Lucy Edwardes Jones, an Investor at BGF, echoed the sentiment of excitement, emphasizing the groundbreaking nature of ViaNautis’s polyNaut® technology in the realm of genetic therapies. She expressed anticipation in supporting the team’s ambitious plans and collaborating closely with co-investors to bring this transformative technology to impactful fruition.
Steven Biesmans, Principal at UCB Ventures, shared the collective excitement, underlining the immense promise that the polyNaut® technology holds. Biesmans highlighted its potential to reach previously inaccessible treatment sites, addressing a critical need for patients who currently face limited or no treatment options. As a key participant in ViaNautis’s journey, Biesmans expressed eagerness about the transformative impact this technology could have in the realm of genetic therapies.
About the Investors
4BIO Capital stands as an international venture capital firm with a sharp focus on investments in advanced therapies, including genomic medicines and other emerging technologies. Their mission is to unlock the treatments of the future, with a commitment to investing in, supporting, and growing early-stage companies in areas of high unmet medical need. The firm targets opportunities in cell and gene therapy, RNA-based therapy, targeted therapies, and the microbiome. The 4BIO team, comprising leading advanced therapy scientists and seasoned life science investors, boasts an impressive record of over 250 scientific articles in prestigious journals such as Nature, The Lancet, Cell, and the New England Journal of Medicine. With an unparalleled network in the advanced therapy sector, 4BIO Capital brings a unique understanding of successful investment criteria to the table.
BGF, established in 2011, has become the most active growth capital investor in the UK and Ireland, having invested over £3.5 billion in more than 550 companies. As a minority, non-controlling equity partner with a patient outlook on investments, BGF aligns its goals with the long-term objectives of the management teams it supports. The firm invests in growing businesses in the UK and Ireland through its network of 15 offices.
UCB Ventures (UCBV) stands as an evergreen strategic corporate venture fund, established in 2017 with the goal of creating value from breakthrough innovations for patients suffering from severe diseases. UCBV makes long-term investments in EU and US-based start-ups developing novel therapeutic modalities and platforms/assets in areas adjacent to or even beyond UCB’s current therapeutic focus. The team at UCB Ventures, consisting of seasoned investment professionals, collaborates closely with entrepreneurs to bring out the best in their portfolio companies. UCB Ventures is actively seeking next-generation technology platforms in cell and gene therapy, regenerative medicine, RNA modulation, oligo-based therapeutics, and synthetic biology.