Via Nova Therapeutics, an Oakland Based biotechnology startup, has secured $20 million in financing via a Series A funding round.
The funding round was led by Aditum Bio, a firm founded to discover and health develop therapeutics for acute and subacute viral infections by virologists Don Ganem, MD and Kelly Wong, Ph.D., The funds will allow Via Nova to boosts its four preclinical antiviral programs in-licensed from Novartis. Joe Jimenez, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Aditum Bio, referred to the firm’s participation by stating:
“Aditum Bio is proud to partner with Via Nova to build an antiviral platform, starting with these founding programs. Don Ganem’s reputation as one of the best virologists in the world gives us confidence that he and his team will build an enduring company in the space.”
The programs currently being run by the startup started as part of an antiviral portfolio led by its founders when working at Novartis. The programs target several viruses that affect the respiratory system, including influenza viruses, adenoviruses, and rhinoviruses, as well as human polyomaviruses. Dr. Ganem, Via Nova’s CEO, referred to this focus by stating:
“These infections have important clinical consequences but have been underserved by the therapeutic community. Our relationship with Aditum creates opportunities to bring these innovative therapies efficiently to the clinic – and to discover additional antivirals in the future.”
With the mechanisms behind viral replication becoming increasingly relevant as a result of the Covid19 pandemic, the search for novel therapeutics for viral infections has received special attention from experts over the past months.
Via Nova Therapeutics aims to improve public health by trying novel technologies to accelerate R&D in different disease areas. Its use of new data and software technology allows it to go through clinical trial phases more quickly, lowering costs, and facilitating the development of its therapeutic solutions.
