Luxembourg, January 13th, 2022 – TVM Life Science Innovation II SCSp announced the Fund’s investment establishing Auricula Biosciences, Inc., a company based in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.

Auricula Biosciences plans to develop a first-in-class targeted therapeutic for a broad set of K-Ras mutant malignancies to clinical proof-of-concept. This conjugate targets macropinocytosis, a unique feature of cancer cells harboring K-Ras mutations. The optimized molecule was subsequently developed at Syndivia.

Jean-Yves Bonnefoy, President of Syndivia and Member of the Board of Auricula Biosciences, commented: “We are very excited to team up with TVM Capital Life Science and its partner Eli Lilly and Company to advance this asset into Phase 1/2a human clinical trials. There are no approved treatments that target K-Ras mutations at large by this underlying mechanism of action, which we hope to address with our novel approach.”

Ivan Shaw, Ph.D., CEO of Auricula Biosciences said: “The management team of Auricula Biosciences is excited to have the opportunity to further develop, to clinical proof-of-concept, this promising asset with the potential to treat cancers characterized by K-Ras mutations. These malignancies remain a significant unmet clinical need to be addressed.”

Alain Thibault, MD., General Partner of TVM Capital Life Science, added: “TVM Capital Life Science is proud to have enabled the creation of Auricula Biosciences and to have secured the rights to a novel first-in-class asset that can positively impact challenging cancer indications. This investment is a testament to TVM’s transatlantic network and the single asset focus for innovative preclinical therapeutic agents.”

Luc Marengere Ph.D., Managing Partner of TVM Capital Life Science and Member of the Board of Auricula Biosciences, commented: “This is the seventh early-stage investment for TVM Life Science Innovation II, and TVM is pleased to collaborate with the well-proven management team of Ivan Shaw and Chantal Miklosi, who will act as CEO and CFO respectively for Auricula Biosciences.”

Auricula Biosciences plans to develop the first in class conjugate to a clinical proof-of-concept study in K-Ras mutant cancers. Ras mutation is the most frequent oncogenic alteration in human cancers. K-Ras is the most frequently mutated type and is found commonly in pancreas, colorectal, lung and urogenital cancers. The mutation confers a poor prognosis as current targeted therapies are effective in a minority of patients and hampered by the development of drug resistance. The conjugate to be developed by Auricula Biosciences has been designed to by-pass such resistance.

The global K-Ras Inhibitor Market Opportunity is projected to exceed US$1 Billion by 2025. Auricula Biosciences will seek clinical validation in various indications and may subsequently expand into others.

TVM Capital Life Science and Auricula Biosciences have the option to engage with Chorus, a full-service autonomous research and development unit within Lilly, to execute an efficient and cost-effective clinical plan.

About Syndivia
Syndivia is a company dedicated to deliver the best treatment to cancer patients by harnessing unique properties of tumor hallmarks and microenvironment promoting the development of innovative therapies for cancers with a high unmet medical need.

Syndivia

8 allée Gaspard Monge,

67083 Strasbourg, France

About TVM Capital Life Science
TVM Capital Life Science provides venture capital to the international pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and medical technology industries with more than 30-years of transatlantic investment track record and over 1.4 USD billion raised and under management. With its investment teams located in North America and Europe, TVM Capital Life Science provides investors and entrepreneurs and innovation-seeking biopharmaceutical companies access to global life science innovation and provides paths for successful tech transfer and commercialization for the benefit of patients and investors alike.

The TVM Capital Life Science team looks back on more than 130 investments and over 90 exits, including more than 45 initial public offerings on all major U.S. and European stock exchanges. It has gained unrivaled international investment experience with its track record of dedicated board work, extensive global networks in life science research and product development, and direct knowledge of the local markets.

General Partner
TVM Life Science Innovation II (GP) S.a.r.l.
8, rue Lou Hemmer
L-1748 Senningerberg
Luxemburg

About Auricula Biosciences Inc.
Auricula Biosciences is a special purpose company created to develop one compound to clinical proof-of-concept. The project is fully financed by TVM Life Science Innovation II. The biopharmaceutical asset will enter toxicology studies and manufacturing in the next few months. Once cleared for clinical development by regulatory authorities, the Auricula Biosciences conjugate will be tested in patients with K-RAS mutant cancers to provide a clinical proof-of-concept of efficacy in this indication. Auricula Biosciences, Inc. is funded by TVM Life Science Innovation II and is led by an experienced management team.

This press release contains forward-looking statements about TVM Life Science Innovation II’s investment in a preclinical stage compound to treat certain types of cancers that Auricula Biosciences Inc is developing. It reflects TVM’s current beliefs.