Leiden-based Vico Therapeutics, a Dutch genetic medicines company, secured €54M in a Series B funding round to support the development of therapies for severe neurological diseases.
The round was led by Ackermans & van Haaren and included participation from existing co-leads Droia Ventures, EQT Life Sciences and Kurma Partners and existing investors Polaris Partners, Pureos Bioventures and Eurazeo.
Jeroen Vangindertael, Ph.D., an investment manager at Ackermans & van Haaren, has joined the board of directors at Vico Therapeutics. Prior to his role at AvH, Dr. Vangindertael supported biotechnology companies through private equity investments at BNP Paribas Fortis.
Dr. Vangindertael says, “We are proud to support Vico in this financing round as they continue to advance their lead clinical programme and further develop a portfolio of novel antisense oligonucleotides.”
“We are impressed by Vico’s progress in the clinic and believe their strong management team is well positioned to execute on their mission to bring innovative therapies to patients in need.”
Capital utilisation
The funding will bolster Vico Therapeutics’ ongoing Phase 1/2a trial of VO659 for spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), type 1 (SCA1), and Huntington’s disease.
The trial, initiated in April 2023, focuses on evaluating the safety of multiple doses of VO659. Additionally, the funds will aid in expanding the company’s pipeline for genetic neurological diseases through research and discovery efforts.
Micah Mackison, CEO at Vico says, “This financing positions us to accelerate our efforts to advance our lead program VO659, currently in a Phase 1/2a clinical study of patients with spinocerebellar ataxia types 3 and 1 and Huntington’s disease.”
“We are pleased that a team of highly sophisticated investors, led by new investor AvH, have joined in this financing round, further validating our progress and the significant potential of VO659 to transform the lives of patients living with these devastating neurodegenerative diseases for which there are currently no disease-modifying treatments available.”
Bried about Vico Therapeutics
Founded in 2019, Vico Therapeutics is a clinical-stage genetic medicines company specialising in antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) RNA-modulating therapies for severe neurological diseases.
The firm’s platform, VICOMER, employs precision chemistry to design ASOs that modulate RNA through various approaches, including translation inhibition, splicing modulation, editing, degradation, and activation.
The goal is to identify RNA modulators with the desired target engagement and safety profile for different diseases.
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