Edinburgh-Based Biotech Trogenix Secures €80M To Advance Curative Cancer Therapies

The round was led by IQ Capital and included participation from founding investor 4BIO Capital, returning investors Cancer Research Horizons and the Brain Tumor Investment Fund, along with new investors Eli Lilly and Company, Meltwind, LongeVC, Calculus Capital, and other undisclosed private investors.

Ken Macnamara, Chief Executive Officer at Trogenix, said: “This significant investment accelerates our lead programme in glioblastoma and follow-on programme in colorectal cancer liver metastases through the clinic, advances our pipeline in liver and lung cancers, and further enhances our Odysseus platform. We are honoured to have the support of existing and new investors who share our mission to deliver breakthrough treatments and pursue cures for the thousands of patients and families facing devastating diagnoses each year.”

In 2025, European biotech funding remains strong, with investments focused on high-potential therapeutic platforms. Trogenix’s €80M Series A ranks among the continent’s largest early-stage rounds this year, alongside NanoPhoria’s €83.5M Series A, CHARM Therapeutics’ €68.5M Series B, and NUCLIDIUM’s €84M Series B.

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These large transactions highlight ongoing investor confidence in European biotech, especially where platforms offer both scientific innovation and commercial scalability. In the UK, oncology ventures like LIfT BioSciences (€12M) Cyted Health (€37M+) and Enhanced Genomics (€16M) continue to attract strong funding. Trogenix’s round underscores the growing focus on precision oncology and advanced gene-based therapeutics moving toward clinical development.

Max Bautin, Co-founder and Managing Partner at lead investor, IQ Capital, said: “Our outsised investment in Trogenix in today’s selective funding landscape reflects our confidence in the company’s world-leading science, exceptional management team and a clear roadmap for delivery both in the clinic and commercially. We are particularly excited by the potential opportunities ahead across Trogenix’s pipeline and look forward to our future collaboration.”

Trogenix, founded in 2023, builds on co-founder Professor Steve Pollard’s research at the University of Edinburgh, including the UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, and Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre.

The company uses proprietary Synthetic Super-Enhancers (SSEs) delivered via proven AAV vectors directly to tumour cells, evading detection. These SSEs allow precise gene control, exposing cancer to the immune system and destroying tumour cells. For cells that escape, Trogenix’s ‘Trojan horse’ approach targets recurrence, offering potentially curative, one-time treatments for aggressive cancers.

Iain Foulkes, Chief Executive Officer at Cancer Research Horizons, commented: “Trogenix’s platform technology is a powerful example of the innovation we seek to accelerate. Representing our largest investment to date, this partnership reflects our commitment to advancing science with the potential to transform cancer treatment. As they advance into clinical trials for glioblastoma, one of the hardest to treat cancers, we’re pleased to support a team whose work could reshape therapeutic approaches and improve outcomes for patients facing the greatest need.”

The funding highlights the curative potential of Trogenix’s precision genetic medicines powered by its Odysseus platform which identifies and targets universal vulnerabilities in solid tumors. Trogenix’s technology delivers potent combination payloads that eliminate cancer cells and activate the immune system while sparing healthy tissue offering a transformative approach to cancer treatment.

This round also marks Cancer Research Horizons’ largest investment to date, reflecting strong confidence in Trogenix’s innovative platform and its potential impact on oncology.

Dima Kuzmin, Co-founder and Managing Partner at founding investor, 4BIO Capital, and Chairman of Trogenix, added: “We are proud to have supported Trogenix through the initial incubation stage and spin-out from the University of Edinburgh, and are very happy to continue our support alongside this strong syndicate. It is exciting to see the company forge ahead with its clinical development to deliver a pioneering portfolio of cancer therapies to patients in need.”

Trogenix’s lead program targets glioblastoma (GBM), one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain cancers, with first patient dosing expected in Q1 2026. Survival rates for GBM remain low, with only 25% of patients living beyond one year, and treatment options are still severely limited despite extensive research and investment.

The company’s follow-on program focuses on colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM), affecting at least 25% of colorectal cancer patients.

Beyond these, Trogenix is advancing a pipeline targeting other aggressive solid tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma.

About Trogenix

Trogenix develops precision genetic medicines designed to target and eliminate aggressive cancers. Using proprietary technologies like Synthetic Super-Enhancers and the Odysseus platform, the company delivers potent, targeted therapies that activate the immune system while sparing healthy tissue aiming to transform treatment outcomes for solid tumors.