Unum Therapeutics, a Cambridge, CA-based biotechnology company developing a universal, antibody-directed cellular immunotherapy, closed a $65m Series B financing.
The round was led by new investor New Leaf Venture Partners, with participation from additional new investors Brace Pharma Capital, Cowen Private Investments, Jennison Associates (on behalf of certain clients), Novo A/S, Sabby Management LLC, Sectoral Asset Management, and Wellington Management Company LLP, and existing investors Fidelity Biosciences, Atlas Venture and Sanofi-Genzyme BioVentures. In addition, Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) made a $5 million equity investment in this round as part of the strategic collaboration between the two companies. Liam Ratcliffe, M.D., Ph.D., Managing Director at New Leaf Venture Partners, joined the Unum Board of Directors.
The proceeds from the financing will be used to advance the Unum’s novel Antibody-Coupled T-cell Receptor (ACTR) technology platform and support the expansion of its proprietary pipeline of ACTR therapies targeting a broad range of hematological and solid tumor targets.
Led by Charles Wilson, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Unum Therapeutics uses proprietary T-cell engineering technology in combination with tumor-targeting antibodies to activate the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. Its lead program, based on its Antibody-Coupled T-cell Receptor (ACTR) technology, recently entered Phase 1 clinical testing to assess safety and efficacy.
FinSMEs
11/06/2015