Houston-based biotechnology firm Cellenkos Inc. raised growth funding to develop therapies to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.
The $15 million Series A financing round was led by China-based BVCF Management Ltd., the firms announced Nov. 4. Cellenkos plans to use the proceeds to further develop its regulatory T-cell, or "Treg," therapy platform.
"We feel fortunate to welcome BVCF as a new investor," said founder Dr. Simrit Parmar. "As I look ahead, we are committed to bringing our novel Treg cell therapies to patients in need around the world."
Parmar, an associate professor in the lymphoma and myeloma department at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, founded the company in 2016. The Cellenkos therapeutic platform is licensed from M.D. Anderson.
Parmar is the principal investigator of a research laboratory focused on therapeutic applications for T-cells derived from umbilical cord blood to treat inflammation-driven cancers. She's also studying therapies to treat and prevent cytokine release syndrome, which can occur amid Covid-19 infections. Cellenkos' lead clinical product, CK0802, is in a randomized, double-blinded safety and early efficacy trial for the treatment of lung damage caused by Covid-19.
The company's other lead clinical candidate, CK0804, is aimed at treating patients with myelofibrosis, an uncommon type of bone marrow cancer.
BioVeda China Fund was founded in 2005 and is focused on developing innovative life science and health care companies. The fund has invested in nearly 50 companies and has $722 million under management, according to BVCF's website.
"Cellenkos' innovative and transformative Treg cell therapy platform to address autoimmune and inflammatory disorders has the potential to significantly serve unmet patient needs," said Dr. Zhi Yang, managing partner at BVCF.
Other Houston-based biotech companies have started clinical trials for cancer and Covid-19 treatments recently as well — read more in this Houston Inno roundup.
