Novo Holdings Leads $200M Series A for Windward Bio's Long-Acting Asthma and COPD Treatments

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – In January 2025, Novo Holdings, a prominent investor in the life sciences sector, announced a significant investment in Windward Bio, a Swiss-based company focusing on drug development for advanced immunological diseases. This investment is part of a $200 million Series A financing round, aimed at launching Windward Bio’s innovative approaches to treating severe respiratory conditions.

The financing round, which was oversubscribed, was co-led by OrbiMed, Novo Holdings, and Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities. It also included investments from SR One, Omega Funds, RTW Investments, Qiming Venture Partners, Quan Capital, and Pivotal bioVenture Partners. The substantial backing reflects strong confidence in Windward Bio’s potential to make breakthroughs in respiratory care.

Windward Bio’s centerpiece project is WIN378, a novel monoclonal antibody acquired from Kelun-Biotech and Harbour BioMed. This long-acting antibody targets the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) ligand, a cytokine implicated in several immunological diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The standout feature of WIN378 is its potential six-month dosing schedule, which could significantly alleviate the treatment burden for patients.

The company is gearing up for a Phase 2 clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of WIN378 in treating severe asthma, with initial results anticipated in 2026. Additional trials are also on the horizon for both asthma and COPD, targeting a patient population of approximately five million individuals with advanced, uncontrolled conditions across the U.S., Europe, and Japan.

Beyond WIN378, Windward Bio is building a pipeline of long-acting bispecific drugs. These developments aim to leverage validated targets and biological synergies to deliver superior efficacy in treating various immunological conditions. The Series A funding will also support two undisclosed programs as they advance through Investigational New Drug (IND)–enabling studies.

Luca Santarelli, MD, who serves as the founder, CEO, and Chairman of Windward Bio, emphasized the company's mission to create novel therapies for serious immunological disorders. According to Santarelli, targeting the TSLP ligand presents a validated therapeutic pathway in multiple immunological diseases, with WIN378 poised to offer substantial improvements in treatment outcomes. The drug's extended dosing regimen is expected to reduce the treatment burden significantly, particularly for those living with severe asthma.

Naveed Siddiqi, a Senior Partner at Novo Holdings, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the potential of WIN378 to transform the management of challenging respiratory conditions. He noted that the innovative six-month dosing could streamline care, benefiting both patients and healthcare systems. Siddiqi expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Windward Bio's management team, commending their track record in successfully bringing medical innovations to market.

The leadership team at Windward Bio comprises experienced biopharmaceutical professionals, including CEO Luca Santarelli and other seasoned executives who have collectively contributed to over 15 product launches and multiple successful exits in the industry. The board of directors features representatives from the leading investment groups supporting the company, ensuring robust strategic oversight and guidance.

The focus on WIN378 and the development of long-acting bispecifics underscores Windward Bio's commitment to pioneering solutions for high unmet medical needs. By addressing the significant burden of treatment for millions of patients, particularly those with severe respiratory diseases, Windward Bio is positioned to make a meaningful impact on global healthcare outcomes.