A clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, Lifordi Immunotherapeutics, has successfully secured a strategic investment from Sanofi Ventures, the corporate venture arm of global healthcare leader Sanofi, alongside additional capital from its existing investors, including ARCH Ventures, 5AM Ventures, and Atlas Venture, bringing the total capital raised by Lifordi to $112 million to date.

The new financial resources will be used to support the ongoing Phase 1 study of the company's lead candidate, LFD-200, a targeted ADC designed to deliver a potent glucocorticoid (GC) directly to specific immune cells, thereby harnessing the efficacy of GCs while circumventing the systemic toxicity that has historically limited their broad, long-term use.

The funding will also ensure that Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) preparations are completed efficiently to secure Phase 2 clinical supply without delay. LFD-200 is currently enrolling and dosing healthy participants in its Phase 1 trial, and the company anticipates sharing initial safety and pharmacodynamic data from healthy participants by the end of the year, with plans to subsequently evaluate the drug in patients with moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Christopher Gagliardi, Ph.D., Principal at Sanofi Ventures, noted that Sanofi was highly impressed by Lifordi’s targeted ADC approach, which has demonstrated promising proof-of-concept in multiple animal models of autoimmune disease, and he will join Lifordi's Board of Directors as an observer. Lifordi's novel drug delivery platform targets myeloid and lymphoid cells using the highly internalized cell surface membrane protein VISTA, and the platform has also shown applicability for delivering other diverse payloads, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and siRNAs, broadening its potential for treating various immune-mediated conditions.