Sofinnova Partners has closed the funding round of its Biovelocita II accelerator programme, which has resulted in the creation of early-stage biotech company, BioClec.
The funding round, which raised €165m from key players in the pharmaceutical industry such as Pfizer Ventures, Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb, will accelerate the venture capital firm's biotech strategy.
BioClec's launch will focus on developing breakthrough therapies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which will target the brain's microglia.
Microglia are a strongly involved in the maintenance of brain health and neuronal networks, as well as cranial injury response — which, according to BioClec, makes them the perfect therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease treatments.
“Microglia are central to brain health, and by targeting them, we aim to revolutionise the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease,” commented Dr Marco Colonna, BioClec’s scientific founder and Professor of Pathology & Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine.
“With the creation of BioClec, we plan to pioneer a new frontier in neurodegenerative disease treatment, building on new research to reshape the future of Alzheimer's disease treatments," he commented.
BioClec, headquartered in Italy, is currently in its discovery phase.
“Turning groundbreaking research into real-world therapies requires scientific excellence and strong collaboration,” said Gabriella Camboni, CEO of BioClec and Partner at Sofinnova Partners. “BioClec sits at the intersection of discovery and patient impact, and we are committed to driving this transformative innovation forward.”
Headquartered in Italy, BioClec strengthens Sofinnova’s growing presence in the region and its commitment to neuroscience and biotech innovation.