Deal Round-up 07/11/01

UK immunology research group secures £16.2m second round funding

Lorantis, a UK-based company that seeks out immunology drugs, has secured £16.2m in second round funding. New investors The Wellcome Trust and Northern Venture Managers join existing shareholders Quester, JPMorgan Partners, Abingworth and Schroder Ventures.

Lorantis discovers and develops products for the treatment of immunological and inflammatory diseases based on the emerging field of antigen-specific tolerance, a fundamental process in the body’s defence mechanisms. Lorantis hopes to produce drugs which will treat the root causes of several immunological diseases including asthma, autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection.