Checkmate debuts with $20M, Cytos deal

Checkmate Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) raised $20 million in a series A round from Sofinnova Ventures and venBio. Checkmate also obtained an exclusive, worldwide license from Cytos Biotechnology AG (SIX:CYTN) to CYT003, a virus-like particle (VLP) containing an oligonucleotide agonist of toll-like receptor 9 ( TLR9), and platform technologies for VLPs and oligonucleotide synthesis for use in oncology.

Checkmate CEO Arthur Krieg told BioCentury the company plans to develop CpG oligonucleotide immune system activators to improve the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors and increase the proportion of patients who respond to them when the therapies are combined. ...