HTGF reinvests in Lophius Biosciences

Heidelberg-based family office VRD led the round, with additional commitment from existing investor S-Refit, the Bavarian venture arm of the savings bank Sparkasse.

The fresh capital will enable the company to transition from a research and development-focused business into a commercial operation. Lophius aims to increase its market presence and pursue additional pathways for market expansion of its T-Track products. More specifically, the funding will be used for the further development of T-Track TB (tuberculosis) and T-Track MS (multiple sclerosis).

Last week, HTGF took part in a €3.5m extension to CryoTherapeutics' series-A financing round, resulting in a total of €6.5m. The round was led by Peppermint Venture Partners.

Company
Headquartered in Regensburg, Lophius was founded as a spinout from the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, and the Clinic and Polyclinic for Internal Medicine of the University Hospital Regensburg. The company currently employs 20 people.

Lophius focuses on the development and marketing of thymus cell-based research tools and diagnostic systems for diagnosis and immunomonitoring. The company's flagship product, the T-Track CMV, is a diagnostic system to determine the functionality of the cell-mediated immune response in cytomegalovirus (CMV) positive transplant patients who undergo an immunosuppressive therapy. The biotech aims to improve therapy control and personalised treatment of patients in the area of transplantation medicine and infectious and autoimmune diseases.

People
Corinna Heppner is investment manager at HTGF. Former director of business operations at Lophius, Robert Phelps, has been appointed as the new CEO, replacing Ralf Wagner. He has been elected as chairman of the board. Former chairman Bertram Cilka-Bötzow becomes one of the board's vice presidents.

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• High-Tech Gründerfonds
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