Orion Biotechnology Canada Ltd., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, today announced that it has raised $11.5M USD in a Series A financing. 

The oversubscribed round was led by Keiretsu Forum, a global group of investors and included corporate/institutional investors, venture capitalists and existing shareholders. Howard Lubert, President Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic, commented “As early investors in disruptive life sciences companies, we have seen how cutting-edge technologies like Orion’s can bring significant value to the industry and lead to the delivery of innovative new treatments for patients. We believe that Orion has developed a truly innovative technology for effectively targeting G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs).” The investment includes conversion of a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) as well as closing the first tranche of a Series A investment.

“It’s rewarding to see a Canadian biotech company receive support for their novel technology from across the Keiretsu Forum ecosystem following our cross border due diligence process. Our investors are excited to be a part of their growth and innovation” said Kevin Sterling, President Keiretsu Forum Toronto.

Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance Orion’s pipeline of novel precision-engineered therapeutics, including its lead oncology candidate, which is a first-in-class Chemokine Analog with best-in-class potency. The investment will also enable the company to extend its proprietary discovery platform for effectively targeting complex GPCRs that have proven difficult to target using traditional drug classes.

“We are pleased to have the support and confidence of a large network of seasoned life science investors” said Mark Groper, President and CEO of Orion Biotechnology. “With the completion of this funding round, we are positioned to build on the momentum we have created, advance our multi-asset portfolio, and further leverage our proprietary discovery platform to deliver new precision engineered therapies in collaboration with industry partners”.