Ventuno Biotech Secures €3m to Power Next-Gen Cancer Immunotherapies

The start-up has closed a €3m seed round to propel its emerging portfolio of next-generation cancer immunotherapies. The financing combines €2m in equity – led by Octalfa with support from Relyens Innovation Santé, advised by Turenne Santé, and contributions from business angels Gilles Alberici and Armand Bensussan – alongside €1m in loans from banking partners including Caisse d’Epargne Rhône Alpes and BNP Paribas Innovation.

Founded in February 2025 by Jeremy Bastid, Nathalie Bonnefoy and Octalfa, the company is developing novel therapeutic strategies designed to stimulate anti-cancer immunity. Its scientific and business plan was shaped during two years of incubation at Octalfa before incorporation. Ventuno is headquartered in Lyon with research conducted at the Montpellier Cancer Research Institute, providing access to advanced facilities and a strong translational research environment.

“In a challenging financing environment for biotechs, this seed round marks a major milestone for Ventuno Biotech,” said Bastid. “It reflects the confidence of our investors and partners in both our team and our science, as we aim to harness the immune system to tackle cancers resistant to current therapies.”

The company will use the seed funding to reinforce its discovery and translational research programmes and to build the preclinical data package supporting its lead immuno-oncology assets, aiming to accelerate their progression towards the next stages of development.