Anaphore, Inc. Announces $25 Million Series A Financing

LA JOLLA, Calif. Anaphore today announced it has raised $25 million in Series A financing led by 5AM Ventures, Versant Ventures, and Apposite Capital. Proceeds from the financing will be used to accelerate development of Atrimers a new class of protein therapeutics Anaphore is developing to address significant unmet medical needs in immune-mediated diseases and oncology.

Atrimers are novel drug candidates engineered from a fully-human serum protein that is naturally secreted as a trimeric structure. Anaphores proprietary protein engineering platform TrimerX provides multiple approaches to generate Atrimers, therapeutics with biological, manufacturing and commercial advantages over traditional drugs such as antibodies, smaller protein scaffolds, and small molecules. Atrimers and the TrimerX platform are protected by significant intellectual property including over thirteen patent families.

Anaphore brings together an experienced management team and Board of Directors to drive progress. The Company is led by Katherine Bowdish, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, and has recently appointed Bruce Steel, CFA, as Chief Business Officer. Anaphores Board is chaired by Andy Schwab, co-founder and Managing Partner of 5AM Ventures, and includes Brad Bolzon, Ph.D., Managing Director, Versant Ventures; Chris Hollowood, Ph.D., Principal, Apposite Capital; Steve Kaldor, Ph.D., President and CEO of Ambrx; Richard Ulevitch, Ph.D., Venture Partner, 5AM Ventures; and Dr. Bowdish.

This financing supports the work Anaphore has done to date on a validated and innovative platform that has great potential to generate a large number of products in multiple therapeutic areas, stated Dr. Bowdish. The funds take us out two years or more, depending on how much partnering we do. We believe the TrimerX platform has tremendous value and the Atrimers we develop will significantly improve patient outcomes in many critical diseases.

Andy Schwab stated, Anaphores progress since its founding early last year has been consistent with our general investment thesis of building exceptional teams around advanced technologies and helping them generate value. We are confident that the Anaphore team, having now secured appropriate financial resources, can execute on the vision of building an outstanding biopharmaceutical company.

With innovative science in an important area of drug development, strong intellectual property and an experienced management team, we found Anaphore to be an extraordinary opportunity to rapidly create value and we look forward to their continued success, stated Chris Hollowood of Apposite Capital.

About 5AM Ventures

Founded in 2002, 5AM Ventures makes seed and early-stage investments in next-generation life science companies. Formed by successful industry executives and veteran venture capitalists, he 5AM team takes a focused, hands-on approach to company building. The 5AM portfolio is diversified among innovative platforms, spinouts from established biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and companies developing near-term products. With over $200 million under management, 5AM has invested in more than 20 companies during the past five years and is actively investing 5AM Ventures II, a $150 million fund. For more information please visit www.5amventures.com.

About Versant Ventures

Versant is a leading healthcare-focused venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in medical devices, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, healthcare services, and healthcare information technology. The firm, founded in 1999, consists of a seasoned team of twelve managing directors with more than 130 years of venture capital investing experience and more than 150 years of operating experience. Versant Ventures currently manages over $1.6 billion in committed capital, having recently raised its fourth fund in July 2008, and is currently managing over 75 companies in its portfolio. For more information please visit www.versantventures.com.

About Apposite Capital

Apposite Capital is an independent investment firm focused exclusively on Healthcare. The firm primarily invests in private companies involved in Healthcare Services and Life Sciences. Apposite has an in-depth sector knowledge covering all aspects of the healthcare industry globally, with a unique unrivalled reach to Japan. The investment team combines complementary entrepreneurial, private equity and investment banking skills. Apposite has built a high quality portfolio of companies in the US and Europe. The firm invests in seasoned management with a clear vision and is committed to adding value to its portfolio companies. Apposite balances its investments across all stages of company development, providing venture, development and mezzanine financings as well as buyout capital. Apposite typically invests as a lead investor and has a representation at the Board of Directors. Apposite Capital was created in 2006 and is based in London, UK. For more information please visit www.appositecapital.com.

Source: Anaphore