Windward Bio Secures $200M Series A Funding from Novo Holdings for Drug Development
Deal News | Jan 10, 2025 | PR Newswire Cision Novo Holdings
Novo Holdings, a prominent life science investor, has announced a $200 million Series A investment in Windward Bio, a Switzerland-based clinical-stage drug development company focused on immunological diseases. Windward Bio's lead candidate is WIN378, a novel long-acting monoclonal antibody targeting the TSLP ligand, crucial in treating conditions such as asthma and COPD. The investment was co-led by OrbiMed, Novo Holdings, and Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities, with participation from SR One, Omega Funds, RTW Investments, Qiming Venture Partners, Quan Capital, and Pivotal bioVenture Partners. The oversubscribed funding will facilitate Phase 2 trials of WIN378 for severe asthma, with initial results expected in 2026. Windward Bio is also developing a discovery pipeline of bispecifics designed to address various immunology indications. Naveed Siddiqi, Senior Partner at Novo Holdings, will join Windward Bio's board of directors as part of the investment.
Sectors
- Biotechnology
- Venture Capital
- Pharmaceuticals
Geography
- Denmark – Novo Holdings, a Danish investment entity, is leading the financing round.
- Switzerland – Windward Bio, the target company of the investment, is headquartered in Switzerland.
- United States, Europe, Japan – These regions are the focus markets for Windward Bio's clinical trials and treatments.
Industry
- Biotechnology – The article focuses on investments in clinical-stage drug development companies focusing on immunological diseases, particularly asthma and COPD.
- Venture Capital – Novo Holdings, a venture investor, is involved in a significant Series A funding round for a biotech startup, signaling venture capital activity.
- Pharmaceuticals – The investment is directed at Windward Bio, which is developing pharmaceutical treatments for severe respiratory conditions.
Financials
- $200M – The total amount raised in the Series A funding round for Windward Bio.
- EUR 149 billion – The total assets managed by Novo Holdings as of the year-end 2023.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windward Bio | Target Company | Company | A clinical-stage drug development company focusing on severe respiratory and immunological diseases. |
| Novo Holdings | Lead Investor | Company | An investment company managing the Novo Nordisk Foundation's assets, heavily investing in the life sciences sector. |
| OrbiMed | Co-leader | Company | A healthcare investment firm that co-led the Series A funding. |
| Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities | Co-leader | Company | An investment firm focused on healthcare opportunities that co-led the Series A funding. |
| Naveed Siddiqi | Board Member | Person | Senior Partner at Novo Holdings, joining the board of Windward Bio. |
| Luca Santarelli | CEO and Chairman | Person | Founder and leader of Windward Bio. |