Bionyra Pharma has launched with an oversubscribed €143m Series A to develop biologics for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
The clinical-stage biopharma company, based in Paris and Boston, is developing next-generation antibody treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis and other immune-related conditions.
Founded in 2025, Bionyra was co-founded with former Sanofi research and development executive Dr Frédéric Marrache, who serves as chief executive.
Marrache said: “More than half of patients suffering from immune-mediated inflammatory diseases remain inadequately controlled, highlighting a significant need for better treatment options. Across our pipeline, we are selectively modulating immune pathways that are central drivers of disease in indications where current therapies remain insufficient.”
Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases occur when the immune system causes persistent inflammation that can damage healthy tissue.
The €143m round is at the upper end of European life sciences funding announced in 2026.
Comparable early-stage rounds include Laigo Bio’s €17m seed financing, Umlaut.bio’s approximately €3m pre-seed total, ALP Bio’s €1.9m pre-seed round and Generare’s €20m Series A.
Funding activity during 2026 indicates that investment is being directed towards both biopharma companies developing treatments and platforms supporting biologics, drug discovery, clinical development and research into immune-related diseases.
Bionyra’s round is larger than most of the identified comparable fundraisings and reflects its clinical and near-clinical pipeline in inflammatory diseases.
Marrache said: “We have built Bionyra around assets and targets with clear therapeutic rationale, relevant biology and optimised clinical strategy to develop therapies that will deliver meaningful impact to people who don’t currently have good options.”
The company is developing next-generation monoclonal and multispecific antibodies for diseases where there remains a high unmet need despite available treatments.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins designed to act on one target, while multispecific antibodies can act on more than one.
Severe immune and inflammatory diseases can cause pain, fatigue and uncertainty, with patients having to manage flare-ups, hospital visits and treatment setbacks.
Current treatments often target one part of a complex immune network, which may limit the strength and duration of a patient’s response.
Many patients try several treatments without achieving lasting relief or meaningful improvements in their quality of life.
Bionyra said its clinical and near-clinical treatments are intended to act on several parts of immune pathways and remain active in the body for longer.
Its lead programme, BYN-002, is a monoclonal antibody targeting TL1A and uses half-life extension technology, which is designed to keep a treatment active in the body for longer.
The company says BYN-002 has the potential to become a leading treatment in inflammatory bowel disease and other conditions involving TL1A. A Phase 1 study in healthy participants is fully enrolled.
Phase 1 studies are early clinical trials mainly used to assess a treatment’s safety, side effects and behaviour in the body.
The company is also developing BYN-003, a bispecific antibody targeting TL1A and IL-23p19 that also uses half-life extension technology.
A Phase 1 study of BYN-003 began in April.
A third programme, BYN-001, is an IL-25 monoclonal antibody using the same technology. It is at the investigational new drug stage for atopic dermatitis and conditions involving type 2 inflammation.
The investigational new drug stage covers the work needed before a potential treatment can be tested in clinical trials.
Atopic dermatitis is a long-term inflammatory skin condition commonly known as eczema. Type 2 inflammation is an immune response associated with conditions including eczema, asthma and some allergies.
The financing was co-led by Jeito Capital and Sofinnova Partners, with participation from Arkin Bio, Sanofi Ventures, Sixty Degree Capital, Vives Partners and Apollo Health Ventures.
Bionyra previously received seed funding from Sofinnova Partners, which also co-founded the company with Marrache.
Mehdi Ainouche, partner at Jeito Capital, said: “So many patients suffering from immune-mediated inflammatory diseases still face daily burden due to limited treatment options.
“Bionyra is uniquely positioned to accelerate delivery of highly promising therapies to patients through a focused and well-designed clinical development strategy aimed at rapidly generating clinical validation and addressing key unmet needs like deeper remission and alternatives for non-responders.
“We look forward to supporting Frédéric and the entire Bionyra team as the company reaches a pivotal stage in its development while simultaneously building a scalable pipeline in dermatology and IBD.”
Before joining Bionyra, Marrache was vice president and executive global project head for clinical development in immunology and inflammation at Sanofi.
He led a portfolio of early to mid-stage drug development programmes focused on immune-mediated diseases.
Marrache holds a medical degree in gastroenterology, a PhD and an MBA.
Anta Gkelou, partner at Sofinnova Partners, said: “When we co-founded Bionyra with Frédéric, our conviction in both the company and his leadership was grounded in his deep expertise in immune and inflammatory diseases.
“Today, that conviction is reflected in a US$165m oversubscribed round backed by an exceptional syndicate of investors who share our belief in this pipeline and the team behind it.
“Looking ahead, we are focused on advancing these programmes with the aim of bringing meaningful new treatment options to patients.”
