Austrian Biotech Fetches €10M series C to Advance Chikungunya, Zika Vaccines
Austrian vaccine company Themis has now secured €10M in a Series C financing round led by New York-based investment firm, Global Health Investment Fund (GHIF), which was joined by current investors, including Gruenderfonds, Omnes Capital, and Ventech. The proceeds will support Themis’ clinical and pre-clinical programs, including its lead candidate for chikungunya virus, which is progressing nicely through Phase 2.
“The addition of GHIF as an investor is a validation of our advanced clinical pipeline and the potential of our vaccine technology to deliver value for our investors,” said Dr. Erich Tauber, CEO and founder of Themis. “There is a close alignment between our vaccine platform technology and their philosophy to invest in companies with the potential to have meaningful near-term impact on global public health. We are excited to welcome Glenn to our Board.”
Led by Dr. Erich Tauber, CEO and founder, Themis is developing vaccines to prevent death and disability around the world. The company is advancing a vaccine against chikungunya virus, a mosquito-transmitted disease that can have debilitating long-term effects. The disease causes fever, joint pain and muscle pain, among other symptoms, and has no current treatment or prevention options. Its chikungunya vaccine
is in Phase 2 clinical studies in 600 patients across the US, EU and South and Central America.The company is also developing vaccines against Zika virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), norovirus and cytomegalovirus (CMV), as well as other applications of immune system activation.
“Themis’ development pipeline includes vaccines against a number of major public health challenges that directly support our double-bottom-line strategy of pursuing both financial and social returns for our investors. We are impressed with Themis’ ability to navigate complex clinical, regulatory and manufacturing issues as it moves a number of vaccine candidates toward commercialization,” added Glenn Rockman, Partner at GHIF. “We see tremendous potential in Themis’ technology platform and we are thrilled to join the seasoned team of investors and biotechnology professionals responsible for the governance of the company.”
