OneChain Immunotherapeutics, spin-off from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, as well as a portfolio company of OneChain, both members of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, announce the closing of a pre-series financing round where they have counted with the participation of Invivo Capital, also members.
The funds raised will be used to bring its products to patients and to complete its ongoing clinical trial. This funding comes three years after the company's creation, during which time it has been able to bring its most advanced product to clinical trials.
OneChain Immunotherapeutics (OCI), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of CAR-T candidates for the treatment of oncological diseases, today announced the closing of a pre-series A financing round. The transaction was led by the venture capital firm Invivo Capital, with the participation of the current investors, the José Carreras Leukaemia Foundation and the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) through its Innvierte programme. It also had the support of two new investors, Nara Health Partners and Clave Capital.
“Our company is a clear example of public-private collaboration for the benefit of patients,” says Jorge Alemany, CEO of the company. “It is an example of how the initiative of a non-profit foundation, with the leadership of private investors and the support of the government, can benefit patients, create jobs and advance science”.
This milestone is a significant step forward for the company, which will use the funding to consolidate its product pipeline and bring its innovative solutions to the clinical stage. “It will also allow us to finalize the CARxALL trial, where our most advanced product is being evaluated,” Alemany adds.
OCI’s approach to cancer treatment is based on CAR-T technology, which allows the genetic modification of the patient’s T-cells so that they can recognize and destroy cancer cells.
“We are convinced of the enormous potential that CAR-T therapies pose for the treatment of cancer, and we strongly support the advances that OCI is making in this field,” says Laura Rodriguez, principal at Invivo and board member of OneChain. “The company is a clear example of technology transfer in advanced therapies, which has managed to take its first product from research to clinical trial in less than three years,” she adds.
The participation of new investors in the financing round is also a reflection of this success, as they not only strengthen the company’s financial position, but also validate its progress and the potential of its therapeutic approach. “We would like to welcome the new investors, who have placed their trust in the translational capacity of the OneChain team, and who will accompany us in this new phase to consolidate a portfolio of cell therapy products with the aim of improving the lives of patients,” concludes Rodríguez.
An international dimension
In addition to the confidence placed in the company by private investors, OCI has received a financial injection from the European Innovation Council (EIC) through its Transition call, which promotes activities aimed at preparing the market launch of new technologies. Specifically, the company has received €2.5 million for the development of a novel CAR-T therapy that does not rely on the patient’s own cells (allogeneic) and simultaneously attacks two cancer cell targets.
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