Milan-based biotech NanoPhoria Bioscience has raised €83.5 million in a Series A funding round led by XGEN Venture, Sofinnova Partners, and CDP Venture Capital, making this Italy’s largest biotech Series A round to date. The fresh capital will help the startup push its lead therapy candidate, NP-MP1, into investigational new drug (IND) enabling studies and early clinical trials.
Founded by Daniele Catalucci, Michele Iafisco, Alessio Alogna, and Claudio De Luca just three years ago as a spin-off from Italy’s National Research Council, NanoPhoria is developing a precision nano-in-micro delivery platform using calcium phosphate nanoparticles to target hard-to-reach cells in the heart.
NP-MP1 aims to improve heart contractility in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), a condition affecting approximately 64 million people worldwide with a sobering five-year mortality rate of around 40%.
Claudio De Luca, CEO and co-founder, says, “This financing is a transformational milestone for NanoPhoria. It enables us to accelerate clinical development of NP-MP1 and expand our pipeline. Our innovative delivery platform allows us to target previously inaccessible cellular targets in the cardiomyocyte, thereby bringing us closer to delivering life-changing treatments for patients living with serious cardiac and other chronic conditions who are underserved by existing treatments.”
Advancing heart failure therapy
In addition to the Series A funding, NanoPhoria has previously received €17.5 million from the European Innovation Council’s Accelerator Program, underscoring the strong institutional support for its innovative approach.
The company is pioneering a nano-in-micro lung-to-heart delivery technology based on calcium phosphate nanoparticles to develop precision therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Its first therapeutic candidate, NP-MP1, targets HFrEF, a chronic condition affecting millions globally. NP-MP1 directly targets cardiac L-type calcium channels to improve heart contractility.
Paolo Fundarò, Managing Partner at XGEN Venture, noted, “This investment perfectly aligns with XGEN’s strategy to lead early financing rounds in the most innovative Italian startups that address true medical needs. NanoPhoria’s science provides a novel and viable way of delivering highly potent therapeutics directly to the heart.”
The company’s mission is to bring safe, targeted, and effective treatments to patients suffering from heart failure. Preclinical studies have shown strong efficacy, supporting the company’s goal to address one of the root causes of heart failure.
“NanoPhoria’s platform has the potential to redefine treatment paradigms in cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, which is why we are excited to invest in this company. The investment reflects Sofinnova’s broader commitment to backing world-class science across Europe, from early-stage company creation to late-stage growth,” added Henrijette Richter, Managing Partner at Sofinnova Partners.
