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ViaNautis develops polyNaut® nanovesicles (PNVs), a non-viral, modular delivery system leveraging self-assembly nanoparticle technology for intracellular transport. These engineered nanoparticles facilitate precise, plug-and-play delivery of genetic medicines. The platform addresses critical challenges in cell and gene therapy by enabling the transport of novel therapeutics across biological barriers.
Founded in 2018 as SomaServe, ViaNautis emerged as a spin-off from University College London. Its inception was driven by the academic insights of Dr Francesca Crawford and Professor Giuseppe Battaglia. Their focus was overcoming limitations in complex drug delivery, utilizing sophisticated nanoparticle design principles developed at UCL.
ViaNautis serves the biopharmaceutical industry, specifically companies in cell and gene therapy, providing an advanced platform for therapeutic payload delivery. The company envisions its nanovesicle technology becoming a standard for genetic nanomedicines, broadening the scope of treatable diseases. Its mission is to enhance the efficacy and reach of advanced therapeutics, ensuring critical medicines reach their biological targets effectively.
ViaNautis has raised $25.0M across 1 funding round.
ViaNautis has raised $25.0M in total across 1 funding round.
ViaNautis is a biotechnology company developing the proprietary polyNaut® drug delivery platform to transport genetic therapeutics like pDNA, mRNA, siRNA, and ASOs across biological barriers, targeting diseases with unmet needs such as CNS disorders and cystic fibrosis.[1][2][4] It serves pharmaceutical and biotech partners by licensing the platform and advancing an internal pipeline, solving key challenges in genetic medicine delivery including poor pharmacokinetics, blood-brain barrier penetration, and cell specificity.[1][2][4] Formerly SomaServe, the Cambridge, UK-based firm raised $25 million in Series A funding in 2023, led by 4BIO Capital, BGF, and UCB Ventures, with co-investors including Eli Lilly, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and others; it shows strong growth via recent strategic deals like a multi-year Eli Lilly collaboration and a 10-year lab lease.[1][2][3]
ViaNautis was founded in 2018 as a spin-out from University College London (UCL) by CEO Dr. Francesca Crawford—a serial entrepreneur—co-founders Dr. Denis Cecchin, and Professor Giuseppe Battaglia, the inventor of polyNaut® and UCL honorary professor.[2][3] The idea emerged from Battaglia's research into advanced polymer materials for targeted drug delivery, addressing limitations in delivering genetic payloads across tough barriers like the blood-brain barrier.[2][4] Early traction included rebranding from SomaServe and securing prominent investors; pivotal moments feature the 2023 $25M Series A to scale the platform and a 2024 Eli Lilly partnership plus lab expansion signaling operational momentum.[1][2][3]
ViaNautis stands out in genetic medicine delivery through polyNaut®'s unique attributes:
These features position polyNaut® ahead of lipid nanoparticles or viral vectors in flexibility, safety, and efficacy.[4]
ViaNautis rides the explosive growth in genetic medicines, where mRNA, gene therapies, and oligonucleotides promise cures for rare diseases but falter on delivery—especially to the brain for CNS conditions affecting millions.[2][4] Timing aligns with surging demand post-COVID mRNA successes and regulatory nods for barrier-crossing tech, amplified by market forces like $20B+ annual genetic therapy investments and pharma's push for CNS/cystic fibrosis breakthroughs amid 7,000+ rare diseases lacking treatments.[1][2] It influences the ecosystem by enabling Big Pharma (e.g., Lilly, UCB) to rescue stalled molecules, fostering an internal pipeline, and partnering with enablers like Abcam, thus accelerating viable therapies and de-risking biotech pipelines.[1][3]
ViaNautis is primed for pipeline milestones, with near-term focus on CNS and cystic fibrosis IND filings, expanded Lilly collaboration outputs, and potential licensing deals leveraging polyNaut®'s edge in re-dosable, non-immune nanomedicines.[2][3][4] Trends like AI-driven polymer design, combo therapies, and oral genetic delivery will amplify its platform, while Series A fuel supports scaling to Series B amid biotech M&A waves. Its influence could evolve from enabler to category leader, unlocking blockbuster therapies and reshaping genetic medicine accessibility—building on its UCL roots to pioneer barrier-breaking innovation.[1][2]
ViaNautis has raised $25.0M in total across 1 funding round.
ViaNautis's investors include 4BIO Capital, Lucy Edwardes Jones, Steven Biesmans, Parkwalk Advisors, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Eli Lilly and Company, Meltwind, O2H, Origin Capital.
ViaNautis has raised $25.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $25.0M Series A in November 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2023 | $25M Series A | 4BIO Capital, Lucy Edwardes Jones, Steven Biesmans | Parkwalk Advisors, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, ELI Lilly And Company, Meltwind, O2H, Origin Capital | Announced |
