RCD advises AlbaJuna Therapeutics, an IrsiCaixa spin-off, on the inflow of capital that will fund the development of antibodies against HIV
RCD – Rousaud Costas Duran has advised AlbaJuna Therapeutics, a spin-off from the IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, on the investment of €3.75M by the pharmaceutical company Grifols, which will support the development of therapeutic antibodies to fight HIV. The amount invested is expected to increase as each molecule development stage is completed.
AlbaJuna Therapeutics is a spin-off from IrsiCaixa, an institute founded by Obra Social “la Caixa” and the Department of Health of the autonomous Catalan government, that focuses its activity on the development of a new treatment strategy based on HIV neutralizing antibodies and on the activation of the ‘natural killer’ cells, responsible for destroying cells infected by the virus.
In this transaction IrsiCaixa’s knowledge about HIV research will be reinforced with Grifols’ experience. The latter will join the Board of AlbaJuna Therapeutics together with IrsiCaixa, which will lead the scientific direction. The project is one of the most important and ambitious in the field of research against AIDS.
RCD’s Innovation team has advised IrsiCaixa on this transaction, which establishes the cooperation between a research institute internationally recognized in the field of research on AIDS and one of the most relevant blood product pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide. Oscar Alegre, RCD Partner, explains: “This agreement is a new proof that the biotech sector is already a reality. The pharmaceutical companies and investors in the sector, both local and international, are observing with interest what is happening in the research institutes and biotech companies and are attracted by their high scientific level”.
RCD has extensive knowledge and experience advising public research institutions and biotech companies, and provides them with a comprehensive service on technology transfer, public-private collaborative agreements, private equity and venture capital, or regulatory issues, among others.
