Windward Bio, a clinical-stage drug development company focused on immunological diseases, has launched with $200 million in Series A financing. The funding will primarily support the Phase 2 development of WIN378, a long-acting anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The company anticipates initial clinical readouts from the Phase 2 trial in 2026.
Targeting TSLP for Immunological Diseases
WIN378, licensed from Kelun-Biotech and Harbour BioMed, is engineered for extended half-life and subcutaneous administration, potentially allowing for dosing every six months. TSLP is a validated cytokine involved in the development and progression of various immunological diseases, including asthma and COPD. Inhibition of the TSLP ligand has demonstrated benefits across inflammatory phenotypes in these diseases.
According to Luca Santarelli, MD, founder, CEO, and Chairman of Windward Bio, "Targeting the TSLP ligand is a highly validated approach in multiple immunological conditions, and WIN378 represents a significant advance in TSLP therapy by enhancing the benefits of this class with a dosing regimen of every 6 months, which can reduce the burden of treatment and improve outcomes for people living with severe asthma."
Addressing Unmet Needs in Respiratory Care
Windward Bio aims to address the unmet needs of approximately 5 million patients with advanced, uncontrolled asthma and COPD in the US, Europe, and Japan. Current treatments often require frequent administration, leading to adherence challenges and suboptimal outcomes. A long-acting anti-TSLP antibody with a six-month dosing schedule could significantly improve patient compliance and quality of life.
Naveed Siddiqi, MD, Senior Partner at Novo Holdings, stated, "Addressing the unmet needs of patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma and COPD, particularly through innovative therapies that reduce the burden of care for both individuals and healthcare systems, represents a meaningful advancement in respiratory care. WIN378, with its best-in-class potential to provide effective treatment through a six-month dosing regimen, could transform how these challenging conditions are managed, offering both clinical and practical benefits."
Expanding the Pipeline with Bispecifics
In addition to WIN378, Windward Bio is developing a pipeline of long-acting bispecific antibodies targeting validated immunological targets. The Series A financing will support IND-enabling studies for two undisclosed programs. The company's strategy involves harnessing synergistic biology to achieve best-in-disease efficacy for various immunology indications.
Experienced Leadership and Investor Support
Windward Bio's founding team comprises seasoned biopharmaceutical executives with a proven track record of success in bringing compounds from target identification to commercialization. The Series A financing was led by OrbiMed, Novo Holdings, and Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities, with co-investment from SR One, Omega Funds, RTW Investments, Qiming Venture Partners, Quan Capital, and Pivotal bioVenture Partners.
