Arsenis, Inc. , a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the prevention and post-infection treatment of serious infectious diseases, today announced the closing of $45. 5 million Series D funding under the leadership of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Several additional new investors, including GV (formerly Google Ventures) and Alexandria Venture Investments, participated in the financing. Existing investors of the company, including OrbiMed, Polaris Venture Partners, SV Health Investors, NeoMed, EMBL Ventures and the Anna Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, also participated in the Series D round
“The level of investors attracted to Arsanis underscores the importance of the work we are doing to develop targeted monoclonal antibody therapy to prevent and treat serious infectious diseases and to mitigate the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance to global health,” said Rene Russo, Pharm. D. D. BCPS, Chief Executive Officer of Arsanis “This funding allows us to focus our efforts on completing the ongoing Phase 2 study for ASN100, a potential new standard of care for the prevention of Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in high-risk mechanically ventilated patients. We are also planning to continue to advance our preclinical gram-negative programs, as well as our respiratory syncytial virus program, to the clinic. “That’s right.
Oh, S Aureus pneumonia is a life-threatening infection in mechanically ventilated patients with an overall mortality rate of approximately 30% despite antibiotic treatment. 1 The Arsanis lead program, ASN100, is a combination of two human monoclonal antibodies, ASN-1 and ASN-2, which disarm S. Aureus without propagating antibiotic resistance by broadly neutralizing the six cytotoxins involved in pneumonia pathogenesis. ASN100 received the fast track designation from the U Oh, S The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a global Phase 2 study are underway to assess the safety and efficacy of a single dose of ASN100 versus placebo for S prevention. Aureus pneumonia in high risk, mechanically ventilated patients Data from the Phase 2 study is expected to be available in 2018.
In addition to the ASN100 program for S Aureus, Arsanis is advancing its deep mAb pipeline targeting serious bacterial and viral infections, including multidrug resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and RSV
“Arsanis is poised to make a significant mark on how serious infections are prevented and treated, especially in the face of global challenges, as more infectious diseases are resistant to available treatments,” said Carl L. Gordon, Ph.D. D. D. , CFA, founding partner and co-director of global private equity, OrbiMed. “The Arsanis leadership team possesses the deep expertise needed to succeed, and we are proud to partner with our new investors to support the company’s efforts as it advances promising monoclonal antibodies through clinical development for S. Aureus pneumonia and other life-threatening infection “That’s right.
The Gates Foundation’s equity investment was made as part of its Program-Related Investments (PRI) strategy, which aims to support innovation, promote market-driven efficiencies, and attract external capital to promising global health and development projects that improve the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people. This closure provides an opportunity for Arsanis to carry out defined discovery research in neonatal S. Aureus sepsis, an infection that affects newborns disproportionately in developing countries, with the potential for future funding to advance neonatal sepsis. In addition, the Foundation has the option of providing additional funding to Arsanis for up to two additional discovery programs to support its global health strategy.
Arsanis, Inc.
Arsanis is a clinical-stage biotechnological company that is leading the development of targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for preventive therapy and treatment of serious infectious diseases. Current programs of the company deal selectively with pathogenic processes rather than with the broad elimination of pathogens, potentially allowing Arsanis to address critical infections without contributing to the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The company is building a broad product pipeline to address the most important infectious diseases that threaten patients worldwide. Its lead clinical program, ASN100, is being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical study to prevent Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in high-risk patients.
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