Firm aims to develop antibody-based molecules against cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Antibody therapeutics specialist Zyngenia raised $15 million in a Series A financing extension with New Enterprise Associates (NEA). The firm says it aims to use the funds to expand its pipeline of antibody-based Zybody™ candidates. Zyngenia is initially focusing on developing the multitargeting molecules against cancers and autoimmune diseases. It says it has already started cell-line development for the manufacture of its first two clinical programs and expects to file INDs during the first half of 2012. The firm raised $10 million in its original Series A financing round with NEA in November 2009.  

“Zyngenia continues to build evidence that our single protein-combination biologics will be an important part of a new therapeutic paradigm,” claims Peter Kiener, D.Phil., president and CEO. “The additional funding from NEA will allow us to move these programs toward the clinic and to continue to extend our technology platform.”

Established in 2008, Zyngenia is developing Zybody molecules that are based on intact antibodies but are designed to address two or more targets in a single molecule. The firm claims that its technology generates more potent and broadly acting therapeutics than traditional antibody-based platforms and will also allow the design of highly specific molecules that address subsets of cells that can’t be selectively recognized by conventional monoclonal antibodies.

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