Aptimmune Biologics: Battling Costly Swine Diseases
Aptimmune Biologics, Inc. develops innovative mucosal vaccines that combat the costliest viral diseases impacting the global swine industry.
Founded in 2010, the company licensed the patented ZMAC® cell line technology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and developed its Barricade® vaccines for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV) and influenza (IAV-S) in 2017.
Aptimmune established agreements with both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Homeland Security to collaborate on commercial vaccine development of a vaccine for African Swine Fever (ASF). The company is currently engaged in regionally specific vaccine development programs that may enable the ASF vaccine to reach the commercial market by 2023.
Following an initial investment by four Arch Angels members in 2016, the group led a convertible note funding round in early 2017; co-led funding rounds in late 2017 and early 2018; and led two convertible note rounds in 2020. Collectively, Arch Angel members are now the company’s second-largest shareholder.
“Through our relationship with the Arch Angels, we have benefited from years of proven business experience that we could not access or hire elsewhere,” says Heather Bessoff, DVM, CEO of Aptimmune. “The Arch Angels were also instrumental in the decision to relocate Aptimmune’s headquarters and lab from Illinois to St. Louis, adding to the local business startup community.”
The company is currently located at BRDG Park in the 39 North Innovation District.
