ALKemist Bio, a biotech company focused on TCR-T cell immunotherapy for ALK-positive tumors, has secured €6.9 million in funding led by Claris Ventures, highlighting its innovative approach in addressing unmet medical needs in oncology.

Target Company Overview

ALKemist Bio was founded based on research conducted by Professor Roberto Chiarle, a leading expert in Pathological Anatomy at the University of Turin and Director of the Hematopathology Division at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan. The biotechnology company is headquartered in Turin and is focused on developing cell-based immunotherapies that utilize engineered immune cells with T cell receptors (TCR-T). These receptors enable the recognition and elimination of cancer cells expressing the ALK oncogene (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) in patients with ALK-positive tumors.

The launch of ALKemist Bio is accompanied by a €6.9 million investment round led by Claris Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to fostering and creating emerging biotech startups within the Italian scientific ecosystem. The investment round also saw participation from the venture capital holding LIFTT, private investors from the Club Degli Investitori, Simon Fiduciaria, the fiduciary hub of the Ersel Group, and Italian Angels for Growth (IAG). Professor Roberto Chiarle, the scientific founder of ALKemist Bio, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "The launch of ALKemist Bio marks a critical milestone in our journey toward developing effective and personalized treatments for patients suffering from tumors driven by mutations of the ALK oncogene. With the invaluable support of our investors, we aim to make a significant impact for patients with ALK-positive tumors."

Industry Overview in Italy

ALK-positive tumors represent a subset of aggressive neoplasms affecting various organs, including lung cancers, lymphomas, and rare pediatric tumors. These types of neoplasms pose substantial challenges due to the frequent acquisition of resistance to currently available treatme