Anaheim Bio, a Leiden, Netherlands-based biotechnology company developing treatments for calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD), has launched with an oversubscribed €40 million Series A financing. The investment will support the development of ANA-1, a small-molecule therapeutic candidate designed to address the underlying cause of the inflammatory joint condition.
The financing was provided by Droia Ventures, Frazier Life Sciences, RTW Investments, Novartis Venture Fund, RV Invest, and Thuja Capital.
Anaheim Bio was established in 2026 through the spinout of programs from Alesta Therapeutics, ahead of Alesta’s acquisition by BioMarin. Several investors previously backing Alesta have returned to support Anaheim Bio’s development strategy.
The company expects the financing to provide an operating runway into 2028 and support the progression of ANA-1 through investigational new drug-enabling studies and into Phase 1 clinical development, with initial clinical entry anticipated in 2027.
ANA-1 is being developed as a small-molecule inhibitor designed to reduce extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate, or PPi, which is involved in the formation of calcium pyrophosphate crystals.
CPPD is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by the accumulation of these crystals in and around joints. The condition frequently affects older adults and can produce sudden episodes of severe joint pain, swelling, and recurring inflammation.
Some patients also experience chronic arthritis that can interfere with mobility and everyday activities.
CPPD is estimated to affect approximately 4% to 7% of adults in Europe and the United States, representing a substantial patient population.
Existing treatment approaches generally focus on managing inflammation and relieving symptoms rather than eliminating the crystal deposits associated with the disease.
Anaheim Bio aims to address this unmet medical need by developing a therapy that targets the biological process contributing to crystal formation.
The company’s management team includes Ilan Ganot as Chief Executive Officer, Matthias Van Woensel, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer, Rick Dekker as Chief Financial Officer, and Benit Maru, MBChB, Ph.D., as Interim Chief Medical Officer.
Its Board of Directors is chaired by Luc Dochez, Managing Partner at Droia Ventures.
Other directors include Dan Estes, Ph.D., of Frazier Life Sciences; Ilan Ganot; Janwillem Naesens of Droia Ventures; Laura Brass, Ph.D., of Novartis Venture Fund; and independent director John McHutchison, AO, M.D., who previously served as a strategic advisor to Alesta Therapeutics.
The Series A funding provides Anaheim Bio with the resources to advance its lead program toward clinical evaluation while establishing an independent biotechnology company focused on developing a disease-modifying treatment for CPPD.
KEY QUOTES:
“ANA-1 is designed to directly address the underlying pathology of CPPD and has the potential to change treatment for the millions of people worldwide who today have no therapy that targets the crystal deposits driving the disease. This financing takes ANA-1 through IND-enabling studies and into Phase 1. We are pleased that Alesta’s legacy investors are backing us again, a reflection of their confidence in this program and our team.”
Ilan Ganot, Chief Executive Officer Of Anaheim Bio
“We look forward to work once again with the former Alesta team. ANA-1 positions them to go after one of the largest underserved opportunities in rheumatology.”
Luc Dochez, Chair Of The Board Of Anaheim Bio And Managing Partner At Droia Ventures