Ansun raises $85M series A, plans Phase III for anti-viral

Ansun BioPharma Inc. (San Diego, Calif.) raised a $85 million series A round led by Sinopharm Healthcare Fund and Lilly Asia Ventures. New investors included Lyfe Capital, Yuanming Capital, Matrix Partners China, 3e Bioventures Capital, Oceanpine Capital, VI Ventures and Joincap Investment.

Ansun plans to start a Phase III trial of lead candidate DAS181 (Paradase, Fludase) to treat parainfluenza virus (PIV) in hospitalized, immunocompromised patients. DAS181, a recombinant fusion protein consisting of a sialidase functional domain fused with an amphiregulin glycosaminoglycan-binding sequence, has Fast Track and breakthrough therapy designations in the U.S. for PIV...