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§ Private Profile · Via Sasso 36 61029 URBINO ITALY
Biotech company developing drug delivery therapies using red blood cells for rare neurodegenerative diseases, focused on Ataxia Telangiectasia.
EryDel is an Urbino, Italy-based biotechnology company that develops proprietary drug delivery therapies using a patient's own red blood cells to encapsulate and administer targeted medications. The clinical-stage organization specializes in treatments for rare neurodegenerative diseases, specifically targeting Ataxia Telangiectasia with its lead product, EryDex, which has received Orphan Drug designation from both the FDA and the EMA. Prior to its acquisition, the enterprise secured €26.5 million in a 2018 financing round led by Sofinnova Partners, alongside participation from Genextra SpA and Innogest SGR. Quince Therapeutics subsequently acquired the business in a stock-for-stock exchange that included potential milestone payments of up to $485 million, leaving legacy stockholders with approximately 16.7 percent ownership of the combined corporate entity. EryDel was originally founded in 2007 by serial entrepreneur Luca Benatti, who previously co-founded Newron Pharmaceuticals.
Erydel has raised $47.1M across 2 funding rounds.
Erydel has raised $47.1M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Erydel has raised $47.1M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $15.1M Series B in July 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 12, 2022 | $15.1M Series B | Lorenzo Tallarigo | Focus Gestioni SGR, Innogest | Announced |
| Apr 1, 2018 | $32M Series B | Soffinova Partners | Genextra, Innogest | Announced |
EryDel S.p.A. was an Italian biopharmaceutical company specializing in red blood cell-based drug delivery systems for rare neurodegenerative diseases. Based in Milan, it developed a proprietary technology that encapsulates drugs into patients' own red blood cells using an automated medical device, then re-infuses them for targeted treatment.[1][2][3] Its lead product, EryDex (now eDSP), targets Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T), a rare pediatric neurological disorder with no approved therapies, earning Orphan Drug designation from both the FDA and EMA; a Phase 2 pilot trial showed statistically significant efficacy.[1][3][4] EryDel served rare disease patients, addressing unmet needs in drug delivery for conditions like A-T by improving efficacy and safety over traditional methods.[2][4] The company raised €26.5 million led by Sofinnova Partners and received EIB R&D financing under the European Growth Finance Facility.[1][2] In 2023, EryDel was acquired by Quince Therapeutics, becoming part of its late-stage pipeline with plans for a global Phase 3 trial starting Q2 2024 and U.S. approval submission by end-2025.[3][4]
EryDel emerged from innovative biotech research in Italy, focusing on leveraging human red blood cells for drug delivery. Led by CEO Luca Benatti, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Newron Pharmaceuticals, the company built on his experience in biopharma development.[1] The idea stemmed from proprietary technology to encapsulate therapeutics into autologous red blood cells, initially targeting rare/orphan diseases like A-T.[1][2] Early traction included Orphan Drug designations for EryDex and a positive Phase 2 pilot trial demonstrating efficacy in A-T patients.[1][4] Pivotal funding came from Sofinnova Partners' €26.5 million round and EU-backed EIB financing for R&D to advance EryDex to market and expand the pipeline.[1][2][5] By 2023, this momentum led to its acquisition by Quince Therapeutics in a stock swap deal, closing in Q3 2023, with EryDel shareholders gaining ~16.7% ownership plus up to $485 million in milestones.[3][4]
EryDel stood out in biopharma through its unique autologous intracellular drug encapsulation (AIDE) platform, now part of Quince Therapeutics:
EryDel rode the wave of advanced drug delivery innovations in rare disease biotech, particularly cell-based autologous therapies amid rising focus on personalized medicine.[1][3][5] Timing aligned with growing orphan drug markets, where A-T's unmet need—progressive neurodegeneration in children—drove regulatory incentives like Orphan designations.[1][4] Market forces favoring it included EU support for biotech R&D (e.g., EIB/EGFF financing) and investor interest in medtech-biopharma crossovers, as seen in Sofinnova's portfolio.[1][2][5] It influenced the ecosystem by pioneering RBC encapsulation, now advancing under Quince toward commercialization, potentially expanding to other rare diseases and setting precedents for non-viral cell therapies.[3][4]
Post-acquisition, EryDel's assets are integrated into Quince Therapeutics' late-stage pipeline, with eDSP's Phase 3 trial underway and U.S. approval targeted for 2025-2026.[3][4] Key trends like orphan drug acceleration, AI-aided trial design, and RBC tech scalability will shape progress, potentially unlocking a broad pipeline beyond A-T.[3][5] Its influence may evolve from standalone innovator to platform enabler within Quince, driving first-in-class therapies and attracting further milestones up to $485 million.[4] This positions it to transform rare disease treatment, fulfilling its original mission of harnessing patients' biology against unmet neurological needs.[1][3]
Erydel has raised $47.1M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Erydel's investors include Lorenzo Tallarigo, Focus Gestioni SGR, Innogest, Soffinova Partners, Genextra.