Ikarovec secures £459k grant funding from Innovate UK to accelerate gene therapy development.
The grant from Innovate UK is matched by recent seed backing from LifeArc, Parkwalk and UKI2S.
Ikarovec is developing novel and differentiated gene therapies for major ophthalmic indications. The company builds on intellectual property spun out from Quethera.
Ikarovec has secured £458.7k in grant funding from Innovate UK to accelerate the development of its wet age-related macular degeneration gene therapy. The award comes via the UKI2S Innovate Accelerator Programme and is matched by recent seed investments from LifeArc, Parkwalk and UKI2S. The new capital will support preclinical efficacy studies and manufacturing optimisation for the wet AMD product, while previous seed funding advances the company programme in diabetic macular edema.
The Norwich-based firm launched earlier this year with a £2.5m seed round. Its pipeline addresses significant ophthalmic conditions with treatments designed to offer long-term effectiveness from single injections.
From the founder
"Bringing validation of our novel gene therapy and the opportunity to accelerate the development of our pipeline, we are delighted to receive this grant from Innovate UK. Ikarovec believes its approach has great potential in the treatment of the debilitating disease of wet AMD, with significant advantages over existing therapies and those in development."
Robert Haigh
Executive Chairman at Ikarovec
Use of funds
- 01Fund research and development
