Biotech Funding News: Novo Nordisk Programme, CIRM Grant, and Company Financings

Biotechnology companies and research funders have announced a series of new funding awards and financings: Siren Biotechnology received an $8 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), Claryx raised $3.5 million in pre-seed funding, Syntax Bio expanded its Series A to $14.4 million, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation opened applications for a challenge programme with total funding of up to €80 million. Appili Therapeutics also disclosed a notice of termination from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for its VXV-01 fungal vaccine contract.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Challenge Programme supports development of new knowledge to help tackle major societal challenges within human and planetary health. With total funding up to €80 million, four new themes are now open for applications from interdisciplinary research teams across Europe. The four themes for 2027 are:

• Advancing Next Generation AMR Diagnostics for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
• Heat and hypertension – understanding the mechanisms of interaction
• Unravelling electron transfer mechanisms in hybrid bio-electrocatalysis
• Harnessing novel Earth-abundant materials for sustainable technologies

The foundation noted that 2.5 million people die from lung infections every year and that diagnosing whether infections are caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi is often difficult, which can delay correct treatment. Another theme addresses the effects of heatwaves on patients with hypertension, as rising temperatures are linked to more heart attacks, strokes and heart failure.

Siren Biotechnology announced that CIRM has awarded the company an $8 million non-dilutive CLIN2 grant to support the clinical development of SRN-101, its lead investigational AAV immuno-gene therapy for high-grade glioma brain cancers. The award follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's clearance of Siren's first Investigational New Drug application earlier this year, which advanced the company to clinical stage and enabled a Phase 1/2 trial in adult patients with recurrent high-grade glioma. SRN-101 is built on Siren's Universal AAV Immuno-Gene Therapy platform, and the program has received Fast Track, Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations from the FDA. CIRM previously supported the program with a $4 million non-dilutive TRAN1 grant.

Appili Therapeutics announced that it has received a Notice of Termination for Convenience from NIAID in connection with its contract supporting development of the VXV-01 fungal vaccine candidate. The notice relates to contract number 75N93025C00033, awarded in October 2025, which consists of a base period and twelve option periods; a 22-month base period totalling US$3.6 million had been awarded. The company is currently assessing the scope and potential implications of the notice. Appili remains focused on maximizing value from ATI-1801, its Priority Review Voucher eligible program targeting cutaneous leishmaniasis, and has been awarded more than US$75 million in cumulative government funding since inception.

Syntax Bio announced an expanded Series A, bringing its Series A to $14.4 million and total funding to over $25 million. The expanded round builds on support from existing investors and includes new participation from Draper Associates, Allegis Capital, LongGame, Mayo Clinic, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Ventures, Exit Fund, Sigma Group, and Walder Ventures. Proceeds will support further advancement of the company's proprietary Cellgorithm platform and fund pancreatic beta cell therapy development for type 1 diabetes through pre-clinical proof-of-concept. The company also announced leadership appointments, including a co-founder transitioning from chief technology officer to chief scientific officer and another co-founder being elevated to chief technology officer.

Infectious disease genomics surveillance startup Claryx said it has raised $3.5 million in pre-seed funding, a round led by Outlander VC with participation from Company Ventures, Boost VC, Neon, Mana Ventures, 640 Oxford, and Precursor. Located in New York, Claryx is developing infectious disease surveillance systems for hospitals based on genomic sequencing, aiming to catch and prevent hospital-associated infections using the Enhanced Detection System for Healthcare-Associated Transmission framework developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh.