Ventuno Biotech Raises €3 Million Seed to Advance Next‑Generation Cancer Immunotherapies
Lyon‑based biotechnology startup Ventuno Biotech has successfully closed a €3 million seed financing round aimed at advancing the company’s preclinical pipeline of next‑generation cancer immunotherapies. The funding marks a major milestone for the young firm as it pushes forward with novel strategies to stimulate anti‑tumor immunity and tackle cancers that are resistant to existing treatments.
Founded in February 2025 by biotech entrepreneur Jeremy Bastid, cancer immunology expert Nathalie Bonnefoy, and strategic partner Octalfa, Ventuno Biotech is headquartered in Lyon, France, with research laboratories embedded at the prestigious Montpellier Cancer Research Institute (IRCM). The company’s scientific and business plans were incubated at Octalfa prior to formal incorporation, reflecting a well‑developed approach to translational research in immuno‑oncology.
The seed round comprises €2 million in equity financing and €1 million in loans from banking partners, providing Ventuno Biotech with the financial runway to bolster its discovery programs and build the preclinical data package needed to advance its most promising immuno‑oncology assets. By combining cutting‑edge science with strategic capital, the company aims to accelerate research efforts that could eventually lead to first‑in‑class therapeutic candidates.
Leading the equity portion of the round was Octalfa, a family‑owned investment and incubation firm with deep experience in life sciences and chemistry ventures. Octalfa’s involvement is particularly significant given its role in co‑founding and nurturing Ventuno Biotech from its earliest stages. The company’s backing helps bridge academic innovation with entrepreneurial execution in the competitive biotech funding landscape.
Joining Octalfa in the financing was Relyens Innovation Santé, an investment vehicle focused on healthcare innovation that is advised by Turenne Santé, part of the broader Turenne Groupe’s healthcare investment activities. Relyens Innovation Santé’s participation underscores confidence in Ventuno Biotech’s potential to deliver breakthrough solutions that improve patient outcomes and transform clinical pathways in oncology.
In addition to these institutional backers, the seed financing included contributions from experienced individual investors, notably business angels Gilles Alberici and Armand Bensussan, whose expertise and networks in biotech and healthcare help strengthen Ventuno Biotech’s strategic foundation.
The €1 million in loan financing came from major banking partners Caisse d’Epargne Rhône Alpes and BNP Paribas Innovation, supporting the company’s development while leveraging public‑private collaboration. These institutional loans complement the equity financing and provide additional financial support as Ventuno scales research and operational capabilities.
Ventuno Biotech’s seed funding arrives amid a challenging financing climate for early‑stage biotech firms, where raising capital requires strong scientific credentials and a compelling development strategy. According to company leadership, the successful round reflects not only investor confidence in Ventuno’s science but also belief in the team’s ability to translate laboratory innovation into meaningful therapeutic advances.
The company’s mission focuses on developing therapeutic strategies that harness the body’s own immune system to combat cancer in more effective ways. By concentrating efforts on immune stimulation and novel oncology targets, Ventuno aims to contribute to a new generation of cancer treatments that could offer alternatives where traditional immunotherapies have thus far been limited.
Ventuno Biotech’s strategic location within the Montpellier Cancer Research Institute — a hub for advanced translational cancer research — provides it with access to cutting‑edge facilities and collaborative scientific networks. This research environment supports the company’s goal of generating robust preclinical evidence for its lead therapeutic candidates and accelerating their progression toward later development stages.
As the startup moves forward with its preclinical programs, the seed funding will enable Ventuno Biotech to deepen its discovery research, refine its translational strategies, and build the foundations for future regulatory submissions and clinical development. The capital injection also positions the company to attract further investment as its immuno‑oncology assets mature.
The successful financing underscores the strength of France’s biotech ecosystem, particularly in immunotherapy innovation, and highlights the importance of public‑private collaboration in supporting high‑potential life sciences ventures. With its initial seed round secured, Ventuno Biotech is poised to accelerate its contributions to cancer research and therapeutic development.
