Pureos Bioventures

We just hosted our Pureos Bioventures 2025 annual LP event — a day of insights, inspiration, and meaningful conversations. The emphasis this year was on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with Dragan Grabulovski and Philipp Spycher featuring the recent Araris Biotech AG exit, and Jack Elands, CEO and founder of Adcytherix, reflecting on the current state of ADC drug development. We’re incredibly proud to back founders and teams pushing the boundaries of what biotech can achieve. Thanks to our LPs for joining us and being part of this mission.

  We are proud to announce that Araris Biotech AG, a Pureos Bioventures portfolio company, has been acquired by Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., for up to $1.14 billion including a $400 million upfront payment.   Pureos was the lead investor in Araris' seed financing round, actively supporting its journey from an early-stage biotech startup to a pioneer in next-gen antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).   Notably, Araris' co-founder and CEO, Dragan Grabulovski, is also a Venture Partner at Pureos, and Dominik Escher, Managing Partner of Pureos, played a key role on Araris’ Board of Directors - helping to guide the company towards this landmark success.   With Araris’ groundbreaking linker technology, ADCs have become more stable, potent, and precisely targeted, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes for cancer patients. Under Taiho’s leadership, this innovation will continue its journey towards making a difference for patients.   Huge congratulations to the Araris team, including the co-founder Dragan Grabulovski and the scientific founder Philipp Spycher! When innovation wins, patients win.

We are pleased to announce the most recent addition to the Pureos Bioventures portfolio, Callio Therapeutics! Callio is pioneering dual-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to overcome the limitations of existing ADC therapies. Launching with a $187M Series A, the company is advancing its HER2-targeted dual-payload ADC and a second program to clinical proof-of-concept. We look forward to supporting Callio on its journey to advance better treatments for cancer patients. https://lnkd.in/dRXKMyGN

Exciting news from our portfolio company, Citryll! Citryll has published a breakthrough study in Frontiers in Immunology, revealing that CIT-013, its novel monoclonal antibody, not only targets Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) but also effectively inhibits Eosinophil Extracellular Traps (EETs). This discovery broadens CIT-013’s therapeutic potential beyond neutrophilic-driven inflammation, opening new possibilities for treating cardiovascular, respiratory, and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Congratulations to the Citryll team and collaborators! Link to the article: https://lnkd.in/e_26p68N

We’re thrilled to share that our portfolio company, AnaCardio, has dosed the first patient in its Phase 2a GOAL-HF1 study, evaluating AC01 in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This marks a significant step in the development of a novel, selective oral ghrelin receptor agonist aimed at improving cardiac contractility and patient outcomes. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is being conducted across 13 specialized heart failure centers in Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, and the UK, with results expected by the end of the year. Congratulations to the AnaCardio team! https://lnkd.in/dGPTCnnd

We’re excited to support PulseSight Therapeutics in advancing its non-viral vectorized technology, designed to protect and improve vision for patients with retinal diseases. This Series A funding will enable the company to conduct a Phase I study for its lead program, PST-611—a first-in-class, non-viral vectorized therapy targeting dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and geographic atrophy (GA). Looking forward to the impact this novel treatment could have on patients suffering from vision loss! https://lnkd.in/e33S3yQ8

Great news from our portfolio company Ariceum Therapeutics! They announced that the FDA has granted them Orphan Drug Designation for their first-in-class Actinium-labelled somatostatin receptor 2 antagonist Satoreotide, targeting extensive-stage Small Cell Lung Cancer. A Phase1/2 trial is set to start in Q1 2025 - we look forward to following this development bringing new therapeutic options to patients! https://lnkd.in/dVzQwxeS

Exciting news from portfolio company PulseSight Therapeutics! They announce the submission of a Clinical Trial Authorization for a Phase 1 trial to assess the safety and tolerability of PST-611 - its first in class non-viral vectorized therapy for the treatment of dry AMD/ Geographic Atrophy. PST-611 expresses human transferrin, an endogenous highly potent iron regulator, to restore normal iron homeostasis, which is dysregulated in AMD. Looking forward to the start of the trial in Q2 2025! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eju73Abs

Great news from Pureos Bioventures portfolio company Mediar Therapeutics. They struck a deal with Eli Lilly and Company on their lead asset, a therapeutic antibody targeting a fibrotic mediator (WISP-1) for the treatment of lung fibrosis and potentially other fibrotic diseases. Phase 2 in IPF patients to start soon. The deal could be worth $687mn plus royalties and sales milestones. Two more assets are in the Mediar pipeline. Looking forward to following this collaboration, well done! See below Mediar’s post and the link to the PR. 

We are delighted to welcome David Schilansky to the leadership team of our portfolio company Ariceum Therapeutics! David joins as Chief Financial Officer with over 25 years of experience in biotech and pharma, bringing exceptional leadership in company scale-up and fundraising, including on public markets. David’s impressive track record and deep expertise will be pivotal to advance Ariceum's radiopharmaceutical pipeline and strengthen its presence in the US. Make sure to meet the Ariceum team at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco next week.