1. Scrip
  2. >>Business
  3. >>Strategy

Calithera Biosciences: UCSF Spin-out Takes $40 Million First Round

 
• By Paul Bonanos

An investor syndicate led by Morgenthaler Ventures has backed cancer drug researcher Calithera Biosciences Inc. with $40 million in Series A funding, intended to support development of small-molecule compounds that activate caspases.

An investor syndicate led by Morgenthaler Ventures has backed cancer drug researcher Calithera Biosciences Inc. with $40 million in Series A funding, intended to support development of small-molecule compounds that activate caspases. [See Deal] Morgenthaler led the round alongside US Venture Partners, Advanced Technology Ventures, Delphi Ventures, and Mission Bay Capital. The last is closely affiliated with California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), the agency that specializes in commercializing technologies developed at three University of California schools in the Bay Area.

Calithera's key innovation was licensed from co-founder James Wells, PhD, a professor in the University of California, San Francisco's School of Pharmacy. Terms of the licensing deal, announced July...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Strategy

Summit’s Ivonescimab Shows Significance On PFS, But Not Overall Survival

 
• By Joseph Haas

In a study intended to show similar benefit in western patients, PD-1/VEGF-targeting ivonescimab met a progression-free survival endpoint, but missed on OS.

Sanofi Bid For Second COPD Approval Hurt By Mixed Itepekimab Data

 
• By Kevin Grogan

One Phase III trial hits but a second study misses by a mile.

Astellas Gets CLDN.18.2-Targeted ADC From China’s Evopoint

 
• By Joseph Haas

Astellas will pay $130m up front for near-global rights to a Phase I/II antibody-drug conjugate that will add to its portfolio of CLDN.18.2-targeted drugs, including Vyloy.

All Over For iTeos But Applause For Plan To Return Cash Fast

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The company has moved quickly to wind down operations after its anti-TIGIT pact with GSK collapsed.

More from Business

Loss Of Exclusivity Product Launches To Fuel Aurobindo’s FY26 Europe Growth

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Aurobindo is banking on launches of loss of exclusivity products and biosimilars to fuel sales in Europe as it awaits a US announcement on tariffs and predicts high single-digit growth overall during FY26 for now

Korea Q1 Roundup: Mixed Earnings, Gearing For Possible US Tariffs

 
• By Jung Won Shin

South Korean biopharma companies report a mostly solid first quarter, marked by US growth for original drugs, with several also making preparations for possible US pharma tariffs.

In Brief: Nicox Extends Cash Runway As Kowa Advances NCX 470 In Japan

 
• By Sushmita Panda

Eye drug is already in Phase III trials elsewhere, with results due in Q3. Nicox could earn up to a further €24.5m in milestones and royalties from Kowa alliance.