Windward Bio Secures $200M Series A to Propel Long-Acting TSLP Therapy for Severe Asthma & COPD
Swiss-based clinical-stage drug development company Windward Bio announced today that it has raised $200 million in Series A financing to accelerate the advancement of its innovative therapeutics targeting severe respiratory conditions. The oversubscribed funding round was led by Novo Holdings, OrbiMed, and Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities, with robust participation from co-investors including SR One, Omega Funds, RTW Investments, Qiming Venture Partners, Quan Capital, and Pivotal bioVenture Partners.
At the heart of the financing is Windward Bio’s lead candidate, WIN378—a novel, long-acting monoclonal antibody designed to target the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) ligand. By effectively neutralizing TSLP, a cytokine implicated in the development and progression of various immunological disorders, WIN378 aims to offer a transformative therapeutic option for patients suffering from severe, uncontrolled asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Engineered with an extended half-life, the therapy is poised for a dosing regimen of just once every six months, potentially reducing the treatment burden and improving adherence.
“Our mission in starting Windward Bio is to discover and develop innovative therapeutics for patients facing serious immunological conditions,” said Luca Santarelli, MD, founder, CEO, and Chairman of Windward Bio. “Targeting the TSLP ligand has long been validated as an effective approach in immunology. With WIN378, we are excited to offer a treatment that not only holds the promise of superior clinical outcomes but also improves the quality of life by reducing dosing frequency.”
The new capital will primarily support the initiation of a Phase II trial investigating WIN378 in severe asthma, with initial clinical readouts expected in 2026. In addition to the development of WIN378, Windward Bio is actively expanding its discovery pipeline, focusing on long-acting bispecifics that harness validated targets and synergistic biology to achieve best-in-disease efficacy across a range of immunological indications.
“By backing Windward Bio, we are seizing an opportunity to support a team with a strong track record in biopharmaceutical innovation,” commented David Bonita, MD, General Partner at OrbiMed. “This funding not only accelerates the clinical development of WIN378 but also sets the stage for groundbreaking advances in the management of severe asthma and COPD.”
Windward Bio’s seasoned leadership team brings decades of experience in drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization. The company’s Board of Directors, bolstered by representatives from its lead investors, is strategically positioned to guide its growth and ensure rigorous oversight as it moves toward pivotal clinical milestones.
As Windward Bio prepares to initiate its Phase II trial, the biopharmaceutical community is watching closely, hopeful that WIN378 will herald a new era in long-acting therapies for severe respiratory diseases. For further updates, stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to visit Windward Bio’s website or contact their media relations team.
