Criteria Bio Ventures has participated in the £61 million (approximately $83 million) Series A financing of Cytospire Therapeutics, a UK-based biotechnology company developing next-generation cancer immunotherapies based on pan-gamma delta T cell engagers.
The round was oversubscribed and led by 4BIO Capital, with participation from Servier Ventures, Abingworth, British Business Bank, Sound Bioventures and LifeArc Ventures, alongside new investors including Modi Ventures, Medical Incubator Japan and Pathway Bioventures.
Advancing a lead oncology programme
The proceeds will be used to advance Cytospire’s lead programme, CYT X300, into first-in-human clinical trials in patients with EGFR-positive solid tumours, including colorectal, head and neck, and non-small cell lung cancers.
The programme is currently in IND-enabling preclinical studies and GMP manufacturing, with a first-in-human clinical study being planned.
A new generation of cancer immunotherapy
Cytospire is developing multispecific antibody therapies designed to activate and direct gamma delta T cells, both tissue- and tumour-resident as well as circulating in the blood, aiming to overcome the limitations of conventional CD3-based approaches.
This strategy is intended to generate broader, more effective and safer anti-tumour immune responses by targeting well-validated cancer antigens that have historically been difficult to address.
Strong scientific validation of the platform
Cytospire CEO Natalie Mount said the financing represents a major milestone and validation of the company’s vision and technology platform.
Owen Smith highlighted the growing importance of novel immunotherapy approaches, while Bali Muralidhar emphasised Cytospire’s position at the forefront of gamma delta T cell-based therapies.
Strengthening the Board of Directors
As part of the financing, Cytospire’s Board has been strengthened with the appointment of:
About Cytospire Therapeutics
Cytospire Therapeutics is a London-based biotechnology company developing a portfolio of multispecific antibody therapies designed to enhance and direct innate and adaptive immune cell activity. Its core technology enables the binding and activation of both tissue/tumour-resident and blood-resident gamma delta T cells.
This approach aims to enable safer and more effective targeting of validated cancer antigens that are difficult to address with conventional CD3 T cell engagers due to toxicity constraints. Cytospire is pursuing applications across solid and haematological malignancies, as well as autoimmune diseases.
The company is backed by a strong syndicate of life sciences investors including Criteria Bio Ventures, 4BIO Capital, Servier Ventures, British Business Bank, Sound Bioventures, LifeArc Ventures and Abingworth.
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