Paris-based biopharmaceutical company, Exeliom Biosciences, has announced the completion of its €24 million Series A funding round. The funds will be used to progress the clinical development of its microbiome-based immunotherapy pipeline, particularly focusing on inflammatory bowel diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases.
The Series A round included an initial closing of €7 million in 2018, a first extension of €3 million in 2021, and non-dilutive funding of €6 million. CE-Ventures, the corporate venture capital platform of Crescent Enterprises, led the additional €8 million investment, with participation from existing investors including Auriga Partners, UI Investissement, and Biocodex.
Exeliom Biosciences’ lead candidate, EXL01, is being evaluated for its efficacy in Crohn’s disease. The novel immunotherapy, based on the strain F. prausnitzii, has shown synergistic effects with immune checkpoint inhibitors, making it a potential treatment option for immuno-oncology. The company also believes EXL01 could replace donor-derived fecal matter transplant products in the treatment of recurrent C. difficile infection.
The fundraising proceeds will primarily be used to advance EXL01 into new therapeutic areas, including immuno-oncology and infectious diseases. EXL01 is a once-daily, microbiome-based immunotherapy containing Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which has demonstrated immunomodulatory properties that can enhance patients’ ability to respond to existing treatments.
Exeliom Biosciences was founded in 2016 by a scientific team comprising Prof. Harry Sokol, Dr. Philippe Langella, and Prof. Patrick Gervais. The team was the first to publish and demonstrate the properties of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in 2008.
In the first half of 2024, Exeliom Biosciences plans to initiate three Phase 1/2 clinical trials to evaluate the combination of EXL01 with standard-of-care treatments in gastric cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, the company intends to launch a Phase 1/2 study to evaluate EXL01 as an alternative to the current standard treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection.
The completion of the Series A funding round brings Exeliom Biosciences closer to achieving its mission of bringing innovation to the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases. With the resources in place, the company is excited to embark on its ambitious pipeline-in-a-drug strategy and plans to commence further clinical trials in early 2024.
