Allegria Therapeutics, a Basel-based biotechnology company developing therapies for mast cell-mediated diseases, has closed a $5.1 million seed extension financing to accelerate its lead program and expand earlier-stage discovery efforts.
The round was led by ALK-Abelló, with participation from HighLight Capital, Lichtsteiner Foundation, and co-founding investor Forty51 Ventures. Allegria said the new capital will be used to progress its lead program toward preclinical candidates to nominate its first clinical candidate, while also meaningfully advancing discovery-stage programs.
Founded in 2023, Allegria is building a portfolio of proprietary therapeutic approaches intended to selectively modulate mast cells, with a focus on allergies and related inflammatory conditions. The company said it has assembled an experienced core team and advisory board and has identified molecules it believes could support first-in-class and best-in-disease potential across multiple indications tied to uncontrolled mast cell activation.
The financing also deepens Allegria’s relationship with ALK-Abelló, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on allergy and allergic asthma. Alongside the investment, Allegria said Dr. Peter Sejer Andersen has joined its board as a non-executive director.
Allegria also highlighted collaborations with academic and clinical partners supporting mast cell biology, drug discovery, and preclinical evaluation, including Prof. Dr. Martin Metz at Charité’s Institute for Allergology in Berlin and Ap. Prof. Dr. Philipp Starkl at the Medical University of Vienna.
KEY QUOTES:
“Precision approaches offer the ability to target defined cell types and pathways to disrupt the pathogenic biology driving disease with optimal efficacy and safety. By identifying the relevant pathways and targets in uncontrolled mast cell activation, and leveraging our extensive experience in drug development, we aim to bring more and better options to patients across numerous allergic and inflammatory diseases. The current financing round importantly supports us in that journey.”
Maria van Dongen, Ph.D., Co-founder and CEO
“Every year hundreds of millions are impacted by allergy, affecting their daily lives and potentially causing life threatening situations. Building on our strong heritage, our mission is to help five million people every year by 2030 through innovative and more effective solutions. We have followed ALLEGRIA’s development and have been repeatedly impressed with their advancements and team, as well as their highly original strategy for novel treatments for allergic disorders. Our investment in ALLEGRIA is well aligned with our Allergy+ strategy.”
Peter Sejer Andersen, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Global Research and Drug Discovery at ALK
“We are excited to be able to invest in ALLEGRIA, as the company is an excellent example of first-in-class therapeutic innovations that could significantly reduce the burden of several chronic diseases. Growing scientific and clinical insight shows that mast cells play an important role in a range of human pathologies. We look forward to supporting the further development of ALLEGRIA.”
Henry He, Chief Investment Officer at HLC
