HERVolution Therapeutics ApS, a pioneering biotech company focused on dark genome research, announced today the successful closure of a $11.7 million Series A financing round. The funding was led by the Serum Institute of India (SII), with participation from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund and other strategic investors. Proceeds will accelerate the development of HERVolution’s innovative human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-targeting immunotherapies, supporting cGMP manufacturing, clinical trials, and potential pipeline expansion.
Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of HERVs
HERVs, remnants of ancient viral infections embedded within the human genome, are often dormant but can reactivate due to aging or disease, contributing to conditions such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and ALS. HERVolution’s proprietary approach breaks the immune system’s “self-tolerance” to HERVs, making these once “invisible” targets accessible for therapeutic intervention.
The company’s innovative therapies leverage advanced engineering to induce potent and durable anti-HERV immune responses. Using adenoviral, virus-like particles, and mRNA vectors, HERVolution’s platform offers versatile, off-the-shelf treatments for age-related and other complex diseases.
J. Robert Coleman, PhD, MBA, CEO of HERVolution, commented:
“We are revolutionizing the treatment of complex age-related diseases by enabling therapeutic targeting of HERVs for the first time. This Series A financing allows us to accelerate our pipeline and bring these transformative therapies closer to patients worldwide.”
Lead Candidates Advancing Toward Clinical Trials
- IPT-001: A dual adenoviral vector immunotherapy that induces strong HERV-specific T and B cell responses. IPT-001, developed in collaboration with SII, aims to enter Phase 1 clinical trials in 2025.
- IPT-002: An mRNA-based therapy designed to sustain and amplify immune responses when used alongside IPT-001 in a prime-boost strategy.
The therapies target a broad spectrum of diseases, offering potential as monotherapies or in combination with other treatments.
Industry Support and Vision
Peter Holst, MD, PhD, Founder and CSO of HERVolution, emphasized the broader implications of the funding:
“This financing underscores the industry’s confidence in HERV-targeted therapies to address significant challenges in cancer, metabolic diseases, and aging. HERVolution is uniquely positioned to drive this transformative field forward.”
With a robust pipeline and support from leading investors, HERVolution is poised to redefine treatment paradigms for aging-related and complex diseases, offering hope to an aging global population.
