Plus, news about Immutep, Eisai and Iterum Therapeutics:
Computational biotech extends Series A: Vilya Therapeutics, a startup based in Seattle, added $21 million to its Series A, which it first unveiled in August 2022. Co-founded by Institute for Protein Design’s David Baker, the biotech has received funding from ARCH Venture Partners, NVIDIA’s NVentures, Menlo Ventures and Madrona. — Kyle LaHucik
Shionogi’s new research center: The Japanese drugmaker is building a new research facility in San Diego that will conduct antimicrobial resistance R&D for its subsidiary Qpex Biopharma. — Anna Brown
Immutep raises $100M for Ph3 lung cancer study: A spokesperson for the biotech said the company picked up $100 million to fund a Phase 3 clinical trial for its non-small cell lung cancer treatment. The TACTI-004 trial, which expects to enroll 750 patients, will investigate Immutep’s chemotherapy eftilagimod alpha with Merck’s blockbuster immunotherapy Keytruda as a combination treatment. Merck will supply Keytruda for the trial, which will be run by Immutep. The raise will also be used to fund manufacturing. — Anna Brown
Eisai boosts corporate VC arm: The Tokyo-based drugmaker now plans to invest 4 billion Japanese yen ($25.8 million), up from 3 billion yen ($19.3 million), in life sciences companies this year. It started its venture business in 2019. — Kyle LaHucik
FDA lays out new deadline for decision on UTI drug: Iterum Therapeutics said the regulator accepted the resubmission of its oral candidate for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in adults. It’s set to decide whether to approve the drug by Oct. 25. — Kyle LaHucik