London-based Laverock Therapeutics, a HealthTech start-up focused on developing disease-responsive advanced therapies through gene control, has announced the expansion of its seed funding round, bringing the total raised to more than £20.1 million.
The latest investment round was led by Calculus Capital, with continued participation from existing investors Eli Lilly and Company, Mercia Ventures, Eos Advisory, and Maven Capital Partners. New investor Norcliffe Capital also joined the round.
David Venables, CEO of Laverock, said: “The Laverock team has been busy over recent months, continuing to validate our technology platforms but also generating functional data for our therapeutic programmes. This new funding will enable us to continue this development, as well as forming partnerships and collaborations to integrate our technologies into partners’ therapeutic pipelines. I’d like to thank all our existing and new investors for their continued support.”
Founded in 2021, Laverock Therapeutics is innovating in the field of disease-responsive advanced therapies through its programmable gene control technology. Their platform harnesses the cell’s natural regulatory mechanisms to provide programmable and tunable gene control through recoded microRNAs (miRNAs). This approach is said to enable the development of highly effective medicines with enhanced precision and improved safety profiles.
The company is working on developing the next generation of advanced therapies, both through its own pipeline – targeting oncology and genetic medicine – and through partnerships. Laverock’s leadership team comprises individuals with extensive experience in biotechnology, pharma, and academia.
Laverock recently achieved platform development and validation, and is now transitioning to lead product selection. The company has reported positive functional data for both its primary T-cell and Macrophage programmes, demonstrating enhanced tumour control in haematological and solid tumour cancer models. Laverock’s platform technologies offer the potential to transform the efficacy, precision, and safety of advanced therapies through its programmable, tunable, and multiplex gene silencing approach.
To reflect its recent progress, Laverock has also updated its corporate identity, including the launch of a new website, to showcase the expansion of its platform technologies and facilitate an increased focus on partnering and out-licensing activities.
Image source: Laverock Therapeutics
