Granite Bio, a clinical-stage immunology company based in Basel, Switzerland, has raised $100 million to develop innovative antibody therapies targeting multiple autoimmune diseases. The financing includes a $30 million Series A led by founding investors Versant Ventures and Novartis Venture Fund, and a $70 million Series B led by Forbion and Sanofi Ventures. Granite Bio’s pipeline features two first-in-class antibodies: GRT-001, currently in Phase 1a trials for inflammatory bowel disease, which depletes pro-inflammatory monocytes driving autoimmunity, and GRT-002, in preclinical development targeting interleukin-3 to address autoimmune inflammation and allergy. The company aims to advance these therapies to transform treatment options for patients with autoimmune conditions.
About 8% of people worldwide suffer from autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease; women are about 80% more likely to have these conditions than males.
“Granite is pioneering a new approach to tackling inflammation, autoimmunity, and fibrosis by addressing fundamental disease drivers at their source,” said Patrick Loustau, president and CEO. “With the support of an exceptional investor syndicate and a world-class team, we are advancing a pipeline of first-in-class therapies with the potential to transform patient outcomes.”
Both GRT-001 and GRT-002 antibodies were developed together with Versant’s Ridgeline Discovery Engine in Basel, Switzerland, and was an offshoot from the laboratories of Professor Matthias Mack at University of Regensburg.
“Despite multiple immunology-based therapeutic approaches currently commercialized, patients with inflammatory disorders continue to experience a lack of symptom control and relapse,” said Nigel Sheail, partner at Versant and Granite board member. “Granite has the potential to enable a real step change for patients with its innovative programs that target key fundamental disease pathways.”
The significant investment shows that investors are becoming more interested in treating autoimmune diseases, especially as studies continue to reveal differences in immune function between sexes. Women may be more prone to autoimmune illnesses as a result of their higher immune responses, which are advantageous against infections. Variations in the microbiota, X chromosome-related genetic variables, and sex hormones are believed to have an impact on this biological difference.
With Patrick Loustau as president and CEO, Dominik Hartl, M.D. as CMO, Gijs van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D. as CSO, and Eliot Forster as board chair, Granite Bio has put together a seasoned executive team. This group offers a wealth of expertise in immunology, medication development, and business establishment.
Given that autoimmune illnesses pose a substantial global health burden on women, Granite Bio’s innovative strategies may provide considerable improvements in available treatments for this underprivileged patient group.
