Novo Holdings, a leading life science investor, has announced a significant investment in Windward Bio, a Switzerland-based clinical-stage drug development company. This $200M Series A financing round, co-led by OrbiMed, Novo Holdings, and Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities, aims to advance treatments for severe respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Windward Bio's lead candidate, WIN378, is a novel, long-acting monoclonal antibody targeting the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) ligand. This innovative treatment has the potential to be administered every six months, significantly reducing the treatment burden for patients. WIN378 is currently being prepared for a Phase 2 trial in severe asthma, with initial clinical results expected by 2026.
In addition to WIN378, Windward Bio is developing a pipeline of long-acting bispecifics, leveraging validated targets to achieve best-in-disease efficacy for immunological indications. The Series A financing will support the advancement of two undisclosed programs through Investigational New Drug (IND)–enabling studies.
Luca Santarelli, MD, founder, CEO, and Chairman of Windward Bio, emphasized the company's commitment to discovering and developing novel therapeutics for serious immunological conditions. Naveed Siddiqi, Senior Partner at Novo Holdings, highlighted the potential of WIN378 to transform the management of severe asthma and COPD, offering both clinical and practical benefits.
Windward Bio's founding team, led by Luca Santarelli, includes seasoned biopharmaceutical executives with a proven track record in advancing compounds from target identification to commercialization. The company's Board of Directors will include notable figures from the investment and biopharmaceutical sectors, further strengthening its leadership and strategic direction.
WIN378 represents a significant advancement in TSLP therapy, with its extended half-life and subcutaneous administration offering a promising new approach to treating severe respiratory conditions. Windward Bio's focus on long-acting treatments for immunological diseases underscores the company's dedication to improving patient outcomes and addressing unmet medical needs in respiratory care.
