Biotechnology company, VirionHealth, has raised series A funding of up to £13 million from an international investment group dedicated to the life sciences, Abingworth.
VirionHealth was founded by Professors Nigel Dimmock and Andrew Easton at the University of Warwick’s School of Life Sciences who performed pioneering research into a new class of biological antivirals that outcompete replication of infectious viruses to both prevent and treat viral infections.
The company will use this research to develop the first broad-spectrum therapy with an initial focus on influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). As the technology combats a range of viruses with a single therapeutic agent it should simplify and accelerate treatment by removing the need for differential diagnosis. Additionally, as a result of its unique viral-out-competition abilities and immune system stimulation it is less susceptible to resistance than other approaches.
“We are delighted to receive this support and will use the funds to advance our novel programmes into the clinic,” said Jeffrey Almond, Chairman of VirionHealth. “Upper respiratory tract infections remain an important unmet need which includes an estimated one billion cases of influenza across the globe each year.”
“We believe that VirionHealth’s novel technology has the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases,” said Abingworth’s Tim Haines. “We look forward to working with the team to translate its research into important new medicines.”
