Led · Seed · Dec 2025

Haptena Therapeutics leverages deep expertise in cancer biology and tumor resistance mechanisms to create highly specific therapies for oncogene-driven cancers. Its proprietary discovery platform is initially focused on KRAS mutations, which occur in roughly 25% of adult solid tumors such as lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. The company’s lead program targets KRAS G12C and aims to reinforce the current standard of care by addressing tumor vulnerabilities that arise after existing KRAS inhibitors. Seed financing will push this program toward pre-clinical validation in non-small-cell lung cancer while establishing a framework to apply the same discovery approach to other oncogenic drivers. Founded by academic scientists Chiara Ambrogio and Roberto Chiarle, the startup plans to build a scalable pipeline that offers longer-lasting clinical responses for patients whose tumors develop resistance to precision therapies. Haptena operates from Turin, Italy, and is currently pre-revenue, relying on venture funding to advance its research programs.

Led · Equity · May 2025

Lever Bio is a Turin, Italy-based biotechnology company focused on developing novel immuno-oncology therapies. It leverages metabolic and immune system reprogramming to overcome resistance to existing cancer treatments, particularly in solid tumors. The company advances programs through strategic in-licensing agreements and collaborations with leading research institutions. Lever Bio announced €4M in funding and intends to use the funds to further progress its assets through preclinical development. It plans to validate the therapeutic potential and positioning of its biologics in solid tumors. The company is led by its CEO and is focused on advancing novel biologics to improve patient outcomes.

Participated · Series B · Feb 2024

Neophore develops small-molecule drugs that target novel proteins across the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway to generate immuno-oncology therapeutics. Its MMR inhibitors induce neoantigen expression and increase immunogenicity in solid tumours, making them more sensitive to immunotherapy. The company is building a pipeline of small molecules aimed at improving clinical outcomes for cancer patients. Neophore plans to use the recent funding to explore novel biology associated with the MMR pathway, progress its pre-clinical studies, and deliver a candidate drug in 2025. The company is led by CEO Dr Matthew Baker. Neophore was spun out of the University of Turin and PhoreMost Ltd by the CRT Pioneer Fund and is based in Cambridge, UK. NeoPhore is focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule therapies to treat cancer by stimulating the immune system. Its approach targets the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway to promote neoantigen generation and subsequent immunity against tumors. The company was spun out of the University of Turin and PhoreMost Ltd by the CRT Pioneer Fund and is led by CEO Dr Matthew Baker. NeoPhore raised an additional £9.6M in a Series B extension, bringing the Series B total to £31.1M. The company intends to use the funds to further advance its drug discovery pipeline and deliver a candidate drug for its lead PMS2 program by early 2025. Research collaborations with academic institutions remain in place to support its development plans. NeoPhore develops novel small-molecule therapies to treat cancer by stimulating the immune system. Its lead approach targets the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway to promote neoantigen creation and enhance tumour immunogenicity. The company is advancing an expanding pipeline across multiple biological targets and modalities with plans to reach IND-enabling studies in 2024. NeoPhore has research collaborations with St George’s, University of London and a three-year agreement with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to validate its proprietary MMR inhibitor compounds. In January 2022 the company achieved all investment-related scientific milestones significantly ahead of schedule. The recent financing will be used to progress the pipeline toward clinical enabling studies. NeoPhore focuses on the discovery and development of novel, first-in-class small molecule drugs that inhibit the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway to promote neoantigen creation and anti-tumour immunity. The company leverages scientific findings from the University of Turin and works closely with its scientific founder Dr Alberto Bardelli and advisor Dr Luis Diaz. NeoPhore was spun out of the University of Turin and PhoreMost Ltd by the CRT Pioneer Fund. Leadership includes Dr Robert James (Chairman) and Dr Matthew Baker (Chief Executive Officer). The company intends to use its latest financing to advance its drug discovery pipeline. Its core product strategy is to generate next-generation immuno-oncology therapeutics to improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients. NeoPhore Ltd is a spin-out of PhoreMost Ltd focused on discovering and developing novel small-molecule therapies to treat cancer by stimulating the immune system. Its approach targets genetic mechanisms to directly stimulate neoantigen creation and increase antigen diversity across multiple cancers. NeoPhore aims to boost cancer immunity in patients with immunologically “cold” tumors and to improve responses in patients already eligible for cancer immunotherapy. The company uses insights from clinical and laboratory studies that suggest these genetic mechanisms will promote neoantigen creation and diversity. NeoPhore plans to use proceeds from a recent £3m financing to advance discoveries already made by PhoreMost and its collaborators.

Participated · Series A · Jan 2024

Resalis Therapeutics develops RNA-based therapies aimed at treating the root causes of complex metabolic disorders. Its lead candidate, RES-010, is a first-in-class antisense oligonucleotide that targets miR-22 to reprogram metabolic pathways. The company reports robust preclinical data suggesting potential for sustained, high-quality weight loss and reductions in visceral and hepatic fat. Resalis says RES-010 could complement existing anti-obesity drugs such as GLP-1 receptor agonists by addressing underlying biology. The company is preparing to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial and intends to use new proceeds to accelerate advancement through a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study. Resalis is supported by investors including Claris Ventures, Sunstone Life Science Ventures and private investors from Italian Angels for Growth and Club degli Investitori. Resalis Therapeutics is developing RES-010, an antisense oligonucleotide that targets miR-22 to provide a disease-modifying approach to obesity. RES-010 is designed to reduce fat mass and extend treatment durability, including in combination with approved therapies such as GLP-1 receptor agonists. In preclinical proof-of-concept studies in large and small animal models, RES-010 showed potential for safe and longer-lasting therapeutic effects. The company highlights preservation of muscle mass as important for sustained clinical benefit and tolerability. RES-010 is patent-protected in the US, Japan and China, with patents pending in the EU. Resalis plans to initiate a Phase 1 clinical study in the first half of 2024 and to use proceeds to reach Phase 2 readiness. Resalis Therapeutics is developing a non-coding RNA (ncRNA) modality targeting miR-22 to treat metabolic diseases such as obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Its lead candidate, RES-010, is an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) inhibitor of miR-22 that showed promising proof-of-concept efficacy and durable effects in rodent and non-human primate studies. The company aims to finalize IND-enabling studies to support a first-in-human clinical trial planned for early 2024. Resalis emphasizes a disease-modifying approach intended to deliver durable weight loss and reduction of hepatic steatosis, alone or in combination with approved drugs. Leadership changes concurrent with the financing include the appointment of Alessandro Toniolo, PhD, as CEO, and board representation from Claris Ventures. The funding announced will accelerate development of RES-010 toward clinical entry.

Participated · Series A · Oct 2022

Sibylla Biotech applies its Pharmacological Protein Inactivation by Folding Intermediate Targeting (PPI‑FIT) approach to design small-molecule Folding Interfering Degraders (FIDs) that bind folding intermediates to induce protein degradation. The company's lead candidate targets Cyclin D1, a protein amplified and overexpressed in multiple cancers and currently considered undruggable in its native state. Proceeds from the Series A will be used to advance its proprietary pipeline through preclinical evaluation and to expand its protein folding simulation technology platform. Sibylla intends to exploit the simulation platform to build out additional therapeutic programs across a broad range of indications. The company was established as a spin‑off from the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics, the University of Trento, and the University of Perugia, with initial support from the Telethon Foundation and seed funding from Vertis SGR. Sibylla is based in Verona, Italy.