Theodorus has invested in Giiant Pharma’s $11m seed round.
Giiant Pharma, a Canada-based precision drug delivery technology platform developer, has collected C$13.5m ($11m) in a seed round featuring Theodorus, the university venture arm of Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB).
Amplitude Ventures and Genesys Capital co-led the round, which also included Fonds de solidarité FTQ, AmorChem II Fund, Anges Québec and additional angel investors.
Giiant Pharma has developed a precision drug delivery platform. Its lead candidate is aimed at inflammatory bowel diseases and is activated by the gut microbiota before eliciting its effects.
The money has allowed Giiant to initiate an investigational new drug-enabling preclinical trial for its lead asset for the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis.
Theodorus expanded into Canada last year when it raised its fourth fund, which currently stands at $47.3m and is backed by limited partners including Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Fonds de solidarité FTQ.
Thierry Heles
Thierry Heles is the editor of Global University Venturing, host of the Beyond the Breakthrough interview podcast and responsible for the monthly GUV Gazette (sign up here for free).
