French biotech Calida Therapeutics launches with seed funding,leveraging US academic research in thrombo-inflammatory disorders

• Newly created biotech will leverage US research work from Cleveland, Ohio to develop monoclonal antibodies to treat and prevent thrombo-inflammatory disorders
• Company is initially funded by AdBio partners with €2M and appoints Clément Bertholet as CEO

Paris, France, April 6, 2023 – Calida Therapeutics (Calida), a preclinical stage biotechnology company specialized in thrombo-inflammatory disorders, today announces its recent incorporation in Paris, France. The company has already raised €2M ($2.17M) in seed funding from AdBio partners, a venture capital company specialized in seed investments in life sciences startups. The funds will be used to conduct additional in vivo proofs of concept and select a lead candidate.

Calida was co-founded in December 2022 by Dr. Daniel Simon, MD, PhD, Dr. Edward Plow, PhD, and Dr. Yunmei Wang, PhD, together with the venture capital funds BioMotiv and AdBio partners. Its mission is to develop monoclonal antibodies to treat and prevent thrombo-inflammatory disorders. Its approach is based on more than 20 years of research conducted in Cleveland (Ohio, USA) by leading researchers from the academic and medical ecosystem.

Calida’s ambition is to become a leader in the new field of thrombo-inflammatory disorders. These occur in a broad range of indications, from cardiovascular diseases to the complications of autoimmune diseases. Its novel approach aims to disrupt the molecular link between thrombosis and inflammation by preventing the crosstalk between platelets and myeloid cells, thus abolishing the chain reaction of these two phenomena which can lead to tissue damage and life-threatening events.

In conjunction with the financing, Alain Huriez, chairman and managing partner at AdBio partners, will join Calida’s board of directors, alongside Clément Bertholet, operating partner at AdBio partners and CEO of Calida, and Dr. Daniel Simon.

“Inflammation can now also be seen as platelet-dependent, with a broad implication of platelets beyond cardiovascular diseases. This is a completely new paradigm for thrombo-inflammatory diseases, not yet addressed by current therapeutics. That’s why we are thrilled to pursue this research approach at Calida Therapeutics,” said Dr. Simon.

“With Calida Therapeutics, our team of seasoned biotech development experts is dedicated to finding new and effective treatments for thrombo-inflammatory disorders, which affect millions of people worldwide. I’m proud to become CEO of the company, which benefits from strong academic research led by experts in their field, with the potential to disrupt the prevention and treatment of these disorders,” said Clément Bertholet.

“We are excited to start this new company in Paris, France, bringing together state-of-the-art science from Cleveland, Ohio, and leading experts in whom we have full confidence,” said Alain Huriez.

About AdBio partners
AdBio partners (previously Advent France Biotechnology) is an AMF-regulated (the French financial market authority) company that invests in a range of sectors within life sciences – specifically in therapeutics-oriented projects. 
Its unique strategy combines early-stage investments in promising enterprises and strong entrepreneurial support to strengthen the company’s growth. 
Created in 2016, AdBio partners has made 22 European investments in France, Belgium, Spain and Ireland – with two funds: AFB Seed Fund I and AFB FII.  
AdBio partners has developed strong relationships within the European innovation ecosystem; as a result, it has attracted international VC syndicates to its portfolio companies.
The operational team includes investment professionals with long-standing track records in entrepreneurial ventures, combined with strong scientific, medical and operational expertise. 
www.adbio.partners

About Calida Therapeutics
Calida Therapeutics is a preclinical stage biotechnology company developing monoclonal antibodies to treat and prevent thrombo-inflammatory disorders. Calida aims to become a leader in the new field of thrombo-inflammatory disorders which occur in a broad range of indications, from cardiovascular diseases to the complications of autoimmune diseases. Its novel approach aims to disrupt the molecular link between thrombosis and inflammation by preventing the crosstalk between platelets and myeloid cells, thus abolishing the chain reaction of these two phenomena leading to tissue damage and life-threatening events. The company is conducting additional in vivo proofs of concept to select a lead candidate.
Calida’s approach is based on more than 20 years of research conducted in the Cleveland (Ohio, USA) academic ecosystem, by leading researchers.
Calida was co-founded in December 2022 by Dr. Daniel Simon, MD, PhD, Dr. Edward Plow, PhD, and Dr. Yunmei Wang, PhD, together with the venture capital funds BioMotiv and AdBio partners.
Based in Paris, France, the company has raised €2M ($2.17M) in seed funding from AdBio partners.