Themis’s Vaccine for Chikungunya raises €40M in Series D round.
In one of the most extensive Series D Round for Biotech at Australia, Themis Biosciences was successful in raising €40M to fund the Phase III trials for its Chikungunya Vaccine. This round was co-led investors like Farallon Capital and Hadean Ventures, Adjuvant Capital, aws Gründerfonds, Omnes Capital and Wellington Partners Life Sciences. A recent partner of Themis Biosciences, Merck Sharp & Dohme(MSD) was also present.
The company will now receive funding until the Phase III trials for the chikungunya vaccine is complete. The clinical studies will begin across European and American countries after successful setup and production of the vaccine at a commercial scale.
As told by Erich Tauber, CEO of Thermis The vaccine program against the Chikungunya virus is one of the most advanced development. This vaccine candidate has the potential to become the first immunization against Chikungunya virus, which has led the FDA and EMA to accelerate the approval process.
Themis’s Chikungunya Vaccine candidate is a modified measle virus that can carry the genes encoding proteins of the chikungunya virus. On exposure to the viral proteins, the immune system will launch the defense mechanisms.
Meanwhile, Valneva, A Biotech company
based in France, is also gearing up to launch Phase III trials for its Chikungunya vaccine. But Themis has the data from its Phase II trials to back its vaccine candidate which was skipped by Valneva.Tauber quoted that Themis will be working with Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) once the vaccine for Chikungunya completes the Phase III trials and hits the markets. This agreement also enables Themis to provide immunizations in case of an outbreak.
The company also plans to expand its hold in treating cancer with the funding received. Their first product to treat Colorectal cancer is expected to enter the clinics this year. Tauber also believes this funding will help in investigating the Measles vector in depth. Which is not only the platform for the Chikungunya vaccine but also has inherent anti-cancer properties.
