Weekly roundup: Kickstarting 2026 with financings, collaborations and clinical developments
Acesion Pharma starts Phase 2 trial of AP31969 in patients with atrial fibrillation
Acesion Pharma. a biotech company pioneering treatments for atrial fibrillation, the most common cardiac arrhythmia, announced enrolment of the first patients in its randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose finding Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT07267949), designed to assess the efficacy and safety of AP31969 in AF patients. The trial will enrol 200 patients across eight European countries, with anticipated completion by Q1 2027.
AstronauTx appoints experienced biotech executive Adam Rosenberg as Chair of the Board
AstronauTx, a biotechnology company developing therapeutics to treat Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurological disorders by improving sleep architecture, announces the appointment of Adam Rosenberg as Chair of its Board of Directors.
Nucleome Therapeutics nominates first preclinical development candidate
Nucleome Therapeutics, a company tackling the molecular causes of inflammatory diseases through a breakthrough approach to 3D human genetics, provided an R&D update following the nomination of a preclinical development candidate for its lead first-in-class programme, NTP464. The programme will now progress towards IND enabling studies, having demonstrated efficacy in multiple preclinical in vitro assays, including a compelling combination of inhibiting B cell, T cell and macrophage activation and promoting Treg suppressive activities.
Lonza’s Synaffix and Sidewinder Therapeutics announce multi-target license agreement to advance development of next‑generation bispecific ADCs
Synaffix B.V., a Lonza company focused on commercialising its clinical-stage platform technology for the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with best-in-class therapeutic index, and Sidewinder Therapeutics, a precision ADC therapeutics company with a pipeline of bispecific antibodies with enhanced tumor-cell specificity and internalization, announced that they have entered into a multi-target licensing agreement to develop first-in-class bispecific ADC therapeutics to treat solid tumor indications.
TECregen raises CHF 10 Million in seed financing and appoints Dr. Bo Rode Hansen as Chairman
TECregen, a biotechnology company pioneering thymus regeneration, announced the successful completion of a CHF 10 million (∼EUR 10.7 million / USD 12.6 million) seed financing round and the appointment of Dr. Bo Rode Hansen, Ph.D., MBA, as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The financing was led by the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF), with participation from LifeSpan Vision Ventures, Carma Fund, EOS BioInnovation, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), the JFG Life Sciences Foundation of the University of Basel, and Zurich Cantonal Bank. The investment will accelerate development of TECregen’s groundbreaking thymopoietic biologics, designed to rejuvenate thymic epithelial cells (TECs), restore immune function, and strengthen overall immune resilience.
ViCentra expands financing to $98 Million to accelerate European commercialisation and ready next generation Kaleido insulin patch pump system for U.S. access
ViCentra announced the second close of its Series D financing round, adding $13 million and increasing the total round to $98 million. The additional funding follows a strong year of commercial and operational progress and includes new capital from ROM Utrecht Region and a consortium of Dutch investors, including Venturing Tech, alongside increased support from existing investor Innovation Industries. With this funding, ViCentra will scale manufacturing, deepen commercial execution in Germany, the Netherlands, and France, and accelerate preparations for its next-generation Kaleido insulin patch pump for U.S. market access.
STORM Therapeutics and AlidaBio announce strategic collaboration to accelerate development of cancer therapies targeting RNA modifications
STORM Therapeutics, the clinical stage company pioneering cellular reprogramming through RNA modifications to treat disease, announced a strategic collaboration with Alida Biosciences Inc. (AlidaBio), a company at the forefront of epitranscriptomics and RNA modification analysis. STORM will utilise AlidaBio’s advanced EpiPlex® and EpiScout® next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms to detect and quantitatively measure transcript-specific N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modifications resulting from METTL3 inhibition.
Seasoned biotherapeutics leader Thomas J. Farrell joins NanoSyrinx as CEO to advance Nanosyringe-enabled intracellular medicines
NanoSyrinx, a synthetic biology company developing Nanosyringes™ as a novel platform for targeted intracellular delivery of biologic therapeutics, announced the appointment of Thomas J. Farrell as Chief Executive Officer and Director. Tom succeeds company founder Joe Healey, who will remain involved in the company, ensuring continuity and ongoing scientific leadership at NanoSyrinx as it enters a pivotal stage of development to deliver the future of intracellular medicine.
LoQus23 Therapeutics nominates LQT-23 as first-in-class, oral drug candidate for Huntington’s Disease
LoQus23 Therapeutics, a biotechnology company investigating small molecule drugs that could stop the pathogenic triplet expansion that is the cause and driver of Huntington’s Disease (HD), myotonic dystrophy type 1, and other triplet repeat expansion diseases, announces that it has nominated, and is progressing, LQT-23, a drug candidate which has groundbreaking potential to slow or stop the progression of HD.
📺 Optimum TV
It was a two-episode week here on Optimum TV!
Episode 5 of our ‘Dealmakers 2026’ mini-series featured the newly appointed Head of the Roche Venture Fund, Anja Harmeier.
In this insightful conversation, Anja shares what captures her attention when evaluating companies for investment, drawing on her combined perspective as both an investor and former CEO of Rewind Therapeutics. Don’t miss her take on what it really takes to stand out in today’s competitive investment landscape and her thoughts for 2026.
In episode 6, Giovanni Mariggi, Co-founder and Partner of Medicxi discusses the outlook for private markets in life sciences, trends in M&A, the public markets’ potential for IPOs, and investment strategies for the future.
Following a very successful 2025 for Medicxi, closing their €500m fund, Giovanni explores the abundance of private capital, the “ongoing demand for quality assets”, and how the biotech landscape is ever evolving. Watch the full episode below.
🔥Hot topic
The J.P. Morgan Annual Healthcare Conference kicks off in San Francisco next Monday (January 12) – and this year it’s more hotly anticipated than ever. Read this week’s Hot Topic on why the mood is upbeat and whether the industry will enjoy a break-out year in 2026.
👥 Industry events
J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
Optimum’s Mary Clark and Zoe Bolt will be in San Francisco next week for J.P. Morgan Annual Healthcare Conference! The team are looking forward to a week of meaningful connections and innovation. Please reach out to connect with them there 🤝
Looking to meet investors at JPM Healthcare Conference 2026 next week?
The real question is: do you have your story right – and ready for maximum impact?
Watch our CEO, Mary Clark give practical tips on how to make the most of your healthcare investor meetings at the conference, from preparation to follow-up.
Save the date!
Optimum’s 18th Annual Healthcare Investor Conference will take place on Thursday, 9 October 2026 @ The King’s Fund, London. Stay tuned – more details will be available on our website soon.
That’s all folks! To stay in the know – subscribe to Optimum’s weekly wrap-up today!
