Granite Bio, a clinical-stage immunology company, announced it has emerged from stealth with $100 million in funding. This includes a $30 million Series A led by founding investors Versant Ventures and Novartis Venture Fund and a $70 million Series B led by Forbion and Sanofi Ventures.
The company’s pipeline features two first-in-class antibodies targeting multiple autoimmune diseases that address large market opportunities.
1.) GRT-001 depletes pro-inflammatory monocytes, key drivers of autoimmunity and inflammation. And in non-human primate studies, GRT-001 efficiently and dose-dependently depleted pro-inflammatory monocytes. Treatment was well tolerated and spared tissue-resident macrophages, essential for tissue homeostasis. GRT-001 is currently in Phase 1a testing in healthy volunteers and is expected to enter a Phase 1b trial in patients with inflammatory bowel disease later this year.
2.) GRT-002 blocks interleukin-3, a key player in autoimmune and type II inflammation. This offers a new approach to treating itch and allergy. The molecule is in preclinical development and is expected to enter clinical trials in 2026.
Both of Granite’s molecules were created in collaboration with Versant’s Ridgeline Discovery Engine in Basel, Switzerland, and originated from the laboratories of Professor and Scientific Co-Founder Matthias Mack at the University of Regensburg.
Granite is led by an experienced team including:
1.) Patrick Loustau, president and CEO – Before joining Granite Bio, he was the CBO of Amolyt Pharma until its acquisition by Alexion (AstraZeneca Rare Disease) for up to $1.05 billion in July 2024. Prior to Amolyt, he was CEO of Zumbro Discovery Inc. and president of Zafgen. Earlier in his career, he led global organizations at Bristol Myers-Squibb and Novo Nordisk.
2.) Dominik Hartl, M.D., CMO – With an extensive background in immunology and fibrosis drug development, he previously served as CMO for Quell Therapeutics, a company specializing in immune-mediated diseases. Before that, he worked in leadership positions in Immunology Drug Development/Translational Medicine at Novartis (NIBR/Immunology), Roche (pRED/I2O) and Galapagos Pharma. Dominik is a board-certified M.D. and holds an adjunct professorship in Pediatric Immunology at the University of Tübingen.
3.) Gijs van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D., CSO – Has deep academic and industry experience in immunology and IBD. Currently working as an Operating Partner at Forbion, he previously served as SVP and Global Head of Immunology, CVM, ID, and Ophthalmology Discovery and Early Development at Roche. Before that, Dr. van den Brink was head of Immunology discovery and early and late-stage clinical development at GlaxoSmithKline plc. Gijs previously was a gastroenterologist and professor of experimental gastroenterology and co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
4.) Eliot Forster – As chairperson of the board, he has more than 30 years of extensive biotech experience from both executive and non-executive roles. He was CEO of F-star Therapeutics until its acquisition by inovX Pharma LTD in March 2023, and formerly CEO of Immunocore. And Eliot is currently CEO of Levicept LTD, non-executive chair of Tessellate BIO and a director at Immatics.
KEY QUOTES:
“Granite is pioneering a new approach to tackling inflammation, autoimmunity, and fibrosis by addressing fundamental disease drivers at their source. With the support of an exceptional investor syndicate and a world-class team, we are advancing a pipeline of first-in-class therapies with the potential to transform patient outcomes. I look forward to working with the management team to deliver groundbreaking treatments that address the urgent unmet needs in immunology and beyond.”
Patrick Loustau, president and CEO
“Despite multiple immunology-based therapeutic approaches currently commercialized, patients with inflammatory disorders continue to experience a lack of symptom control and relapse. Granite has the potential to enable a real step change for patients with its innovative programs that target key fundamental disease pathways.”
Nigel Sheail, partner at Versant and Granite board member
“I am proud to support Granite as it advances its lead assets using a truly differentiated approach to tackling inflammation at its root. With the strength of this investor syndicate and an exceptional leadership team, Granite is well-positioned to drive its pipeline forward and deliver meaningful new therapies for patients.”
Rogier Rooswinkel, Ph.D., General Partner at Forbion and Granite board member
