Finnish biotech Desentum raises €28M for allergy vaccines
What's the deal? Finnish clinical-stage biotech Desentum has closed an oversubscribed €28 million equity round to advance its allergy vaccines. The late-stage round was led and arranged by Finnish investment firm SpringvestDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, which is also a major shareholder.
What's the endgame? Desentum is developing allergen immunotherapy based on genetically engineered allergens. The new capital funds its three lead programs, targeting birch, peanut, and cat allergy.
Why now? The birch program is already in a Phase II trial testing efficacy in around 100 patients, with results expected by the end of 2026. "Clinical results so far have been very promising," the company says, citing both safety and immunological effect.
What's the endgame, longer term? "Our goal is to make immunotherapy more effective, safer, and easier for patients," said chief executive officer Pekka Mattila. On the business side, he said the aim is to take the product through Phase II, then "move toward licensing, an M&A deal, or an IPO."
Springvest has arranged €54 million for Desentum to date. "We believe in Desentum's team and its unique technology, which could scale to treat many different allergies," said Springvest chief executive officer Aki Soudunsaari.
The signal: The company calls it one of the largest rounds ever raised by a private Finnish drug developer — a sizeable raise that underscores investor appetite for allergy immunotherapy heading into a key clinical readout.
Read more: nordiclifescience.org
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
