Mnemo Therapeutics, a Paris, France-based biotechnology company developing cell therapies using a novel target identification engine, stronger T cells and manufacturing, completed a €75m ($90m) Series A financing.
The round was led by Casdin Capital, returning investor Sofinnova Partners, and an undisclosed investor, with participation from Redmile, Emerson Collective and Alexandria Venture Investments.
The company intends to use the funds to accelerate development of the EnfiniT targeting and next generation chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) T cell therapy platform combining research from Institut Curie and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).
Led by Alain Maiore, CEO, Mnemo Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing cell therapies that create accessible cures. With its EnfiniT platform, a drug discovery engine, Mnemo applies a novel, integrated approach to cell therapy through precise identification of a new class of antigens with target specificity and the ability to efficiently reprogram T cells to increase their memory phenotype, as well as refine their engineering.
Founding CEO Maiore has assembled a highly experienced team headquartered in Paris, France, with a location in New York City, united by a deep history of pioneering achievements in CAR T therapy and an unwavering commitment to dramatically improve the future for patients. Mnemo’s scientific founders include:
- Sebastian Amigorena, PhD (CNRS researcher at Institut Curie)
- Michel Sadelain, MD PhD (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
- Isabelle Rivière, PhD (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
- Justin Eyquem, PhD (UCSF)
In addition to Maiore, the Mnemo management team includes:
- François Gaudet, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer
- Joseph Cerro, Vice President of Information Technology
- Stephanie Oestreich, PhD, MPA, Vice President of Operations and Head of Alliance Management
“Mnemo is making tremendous advances in cell therapy research with an impressive, ambitious team of leaders expertly led by Alain, powerfully uniting the leading minds in CAR T from around the world,” said Dieter Weinand, Chairman of the Mnemo Board of Directors. “Ultimately, Mnemo has the potential to dramatically improve cell therapy and allow it to reach its full potential to fight tumors and overcome incurable cancers.”
Disclosure: Drs. Sadelain and Riviere have provided advisory services for, and have equity interests in, Mnemo. Dr. Sadelain also has intellectual property rights and interests related to cell therapy technologies that Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) has licensed to Mnemo. MSK has intellectual property rights and associated financial interests related to Mnemo by virtue of licensing agreements between MSK and Mnemo.
About Sofinnova Partners
Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm in life sciences, specializing in healthcare and sustainability. Based in Paris, London and Milan, the firm brings together a team of professionals from all over the world with strong scientific, medical and business expertise. The firm actively partners with ambitious entrepreneurs as a lead or cornerstone investor to develop transformative innovations that have the potential to positively impact our collective future.
Founded in 1972, Sofinnova Partners is a deeply-established venture capital firm in Europe, with 50 years of experience backing over 500 companies and creating market leaders around the globe. Today, Sofinnova Partners has over €2 billion under management. For more information visit https://www.sofinnovapartners.com/.
About Casdin Capital
Casdin Capital LLC was founded in 2012 and brings a deep understanding, expertise and long-term perspective to financing the next generation of life science innovation. For more information, please visit www.casdincapital.com.
SOURCE Mnemo Therapeutics