Just Biotherapeutics, Inc., an organization dedicated to expanding global access to important protein therapeutics, today announced it has secured $15M in Series A financing. The Series A funding, from Merck, Lilly Asia Ventures and ARCH Venture Partners, will enable the design of innovative technologies that accelerate development and low cost manufacturing of complex biotherapeutics.
'Most of the world cannot afford the breakthrough medicines of modern biotechnology,' said Jim Thomas, CEO of Just. 'Designing integrated product development and manufacturing technologies will lower production costs and expand patient access. We may also enable therapies or approaches previously too expensive for the developed world as well.'
In addition to the equity investment, Just and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, have entered into an agreement to jointly develop innovative technologies for lowering the cost of manufacturing biologics.
Aligned with its commitment to expand global access, Just is exploring additional opportunities with LAV and ARCH to create value by use of its technologies to bring products to a broader global population, starting with China. Just also plans to apply its innovations in manufacturing technology toward production and commercialization of new products in developed markets on its own and through collaboration with future partners.
About Just.
Founded in 2014, Just is led by an experienced team in the fields of protein, process and manufacturing sciences. The Just team came together to solve the scientific and technical hurdles that impact cost and restrict access to life changing protein therapeutics for much of the world. Just will also focus on innovative design solutions that range from the design of better therapeutic molecules to the design of more efficient manufacturing plants. This broad and integrated design focus will create value not only for the developing world, but for the developed world as well.