Citryll, a Dutch biotech company pioneering a transformative approach to treating immune-mediated inflammatory diseases by targeting Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), has announced the closing of an oversubscribed €85 million Series B fundraise.
Citryll is based in Oss in the Netherlands.
“The funding round was co-led by Johnson & Johnson (through its corporate venture capital organization, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc.), Forbion and Novartis Venture Fund, with the participation of Pureos Bioventures, alongside existing investors BioGeneration Ventures, Seventure Partners, BOM, Curie Capital, and Citryll’s founders,” said Citryll.
“The funding will enable next steps for the clinical development of CIT-013, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody which targets Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), a fundamental component of the inflammatory process that has yet to be addressed therapeutically.
“NETs are web-like structures composed of DNA, histones, and antimicrobial proteins, released by neutrophils to trap and degrade pathogens. Excessive NET formation can contribute to tissue damage and chronic inflammation in various immune-mediated inflammatory disorders.”
Following the Series B round, Geert-Jan Mulder, Managing Partner at Forbion, Florian Muellershausen, Managing Director at Novartis Venture Fund, and a representative of JJDC, will join Citryll’s board as non-executive directors.
Citryll said it recently completed its first-in-human Phase 1 trials including successful repeat dosing of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
“Phase 2a trials are planned in both RA and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), intended to establish CIT-013’s unique dual mechanism of action, which enhances the clearance of existing NETs and inhibits the formation of new NETs,” said Citryll.
“CIT-013 is highly selective for its epitope, minimizing off-target effects, and does not enter cells, preserving normal intracellular functions. While initially focusing on RA and HS, Citryll’s NET-targeting approach has potential applications across a wide range of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.”
Geert-Jan Mulder, Managing Partner at Forbion, said: “Citryll’s progress highlights the potential of a novel NET-targeting therapy to address significant unmet needs in inflammatory disorders, offering hope for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and hidradenitis suppurativa, where many patients lack adequate disease control.
“Together with new and existing investors we are proud to support the outstanding team to further advance this truly differentiated program into clinical development for inflammatory disorders.”
Citryll CEO Eduardo Bravo said: “Securing funding from such a fantastic range of global life sciences investors, who share our excitement for the potential of CIT-013, strengthens the next steps for our clinical development program.
“We believe our NET-targeting approach, developed by the company founders Renato Chirivi, Helmuth van Es, and the late Jos Raats, has the potential to be beneficial in conditions where current therapies fall short.
“As we move forward with our clinical trials, we’re excited about the possibility of providing a more effective treatment option for patients who have long struggled with inadequate disease control.”