Granite Bio Debuts With $100 Million of Capital

Granite Bio AG, a clinical-stage immunology company, has emerged from stealth with $100 million in funding. This includes a $30 million Series A led by founding investors Versant Ventures and Novartis Venture Fund, and a $70 million Series B led by Forbion and Sanofi Ventures.

Granite’s pipeline features two first-in-class antibodies targeting multiple autoimmune diseases that address large market opportunities.

GRT-001 depletes pro-inflammatory monocytes, key drivers of autoimmunity and inflammation. In non-human primate studies, GRT-001 efficiently and dose-dependently depleted pro-inflammatory monocytes. Treatment was well tolerated and spared tissue-resident macrophages, which are important for tissue homeostasis. GRT-001 is currently in Phase 1a testing in healthy volunteers and is expected to enter a Phase 1b trial in patients with inflammatory bowel disease later this year.

GRT-002 blocks interleukin-3, a key player in autoimmune inflammation and type II inflammation, offering a new approach to treating itch and allergy. The molecule is in preclinical development and is expected to enter clinical trials in 2026.

Both of Granite’s lead molecules were developed in collaboration with Versant’s Ridgeline Discovery Engine in Basel, Switzerland, and originated from the laboratories of Professor and Scientific Co-Founder Matthias Mack at University of Regensburg.

“Granite is pioneering a new approach to tackling inflammation, autoimmunity, and fibrosis by addressing fundamental disease drivers at their source,” said Patrick Loustau, president and CEO. “With the support of an exceptional investor syndicate and a world-class team, we are advancing a pipeline of first-in-class therapies with the potential to transform patient outcomes. I look forward to working with the management team to deliver groundbreaking treatments that address the urgent unmet needs in immunology and beyond.”

“Despite multiple immunology-based therapeutic approaches currently commercialized, patients with inflammatory disorders continue to experience a lack of symptom control and relapse,” said Nigel Sheail, partner at Versant and Granite board member. “Granite has the potential to enable a real step change for patients with its innovative programs that target key fundamental disease pathways.”

“I am proud to support Granite as it advances its lead assets using a truly differentiated approach to tackling inflammation at its root,” said Rogier Rooswinkel, Ph.D., General Partner at Forbion and Granite board member. “With the strength of this investor syndicate and an exceptional leadership team, Granite is well-positioned to drive its pipeline forward and deliver meaningful new therapies for patients.”