Windward Bio Secures $200M for Phase 2 Anti-TSLP Antibody Development in Asthma and COPD

Windward Bio, a private company focused on advancing drug development for severe immunological diseases, has officially commenced operations. The company has secured significant financial backing with a Series A funding round amounting to $200 million. This investment is led by OrbiMed, Novo Holdings, and Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities, with additional support from investors like SR One, Omega Funds, RTW Investments, Qiming Venture Partners, Quan Capital, and Pivotal bioVenture Partners.

The company has acquired the global rights, excluding China and specific Asian markets, to a promising drug candidate, WIN378, from Kelun-Biotech and Harbour BioMed. WIN378 is an innovative, long-acting monoclonal antibody targeting the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) ligand. This therapeutic candidate shows potential for biannual dosing, positioning it as a groundbreaking treatment for severe asthma. Windward Bio is preparing to initiate a phase 2 clinical trial for WIN378 in severe asthma, with the first results expected by 2026. Further trials are planned for conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), aiming to meet the needs of approximately five million patients in the US, Europe, and Japan who suffer from advanced and uncontrolled forms of these illnesses.

The founder, CEO, and Chairman of Windward Bio, Luca Santarelli, MD, emphasized the company's mission to innovate treatments for serious immunological conditions. He highlighted the targeting of the TSLP ligand as a well-validated approach, with WIN378 representing a significant advancement in this therapeutic class. "By reducing the frequency of treatment to once every six months, we aim to lessen treatment burdens and enhance outcomes for patients with severe asthma," Santarelli stated.

The investment in Windward Bio is seen as an opportunity to leverage a team with a strong track record in biopharmaceuticals. David Bonita, MD, General Partner at OrbiMed, expressed confidence in Windward Bio's potential to bring leading therapeutics to market for asthma, COPD, and other immunological disorders. He noted the company's focus on expanding its immunology pipeline through both internal research and strategic business development.

The leadership team at Windward Bio comprises experienced biopharmaceutical executives, who have collectively achieved over 15 product launches and executed several significant corporate transactions, including two Nasdaq IPOs and two major sales—Therachon to Pfizer for $810 million in 2019 and VectivBio to Ironwood for $1.2 billion in 2023. This accomplished team is also developing a pipeline of long-acting bispecific compounds, aimed at achieving superior efficacy for immunological conditions by targeting validated biological pathways.

The Board of Directors at Windward Bio includes notable figures such as Luca Santarelli, MD; David Bonita, MD; Naveed Siddiqi, MD; Tim Anderson; Iqbal Mufti; and Otello Stampacchia, PhD. This esteemed board is expected to guide the company as it progresses its innovative programs through critical development stages.

In summary, Windward Bio stands at the forefront of developing novel therapies for challenging immunological diseases, bolstered by substantial financial support and a highly skilled management team. The company's initiatives, particularly around its leading candidate WIN378, hold promise for transforming the treatment landscape for conditions like severe asthma and COPD, offering hope for millions of patients worldwide.