UK BioTech company OMass Therapeutics, which develops small-molecule therapeutics against highly validated target ecosystems, has announced an oversubscribed €275 million (£230 million) Series C round.
The Round
The round was co-led by new investors Bain Capital Life Sciences, Forbion and Novo Holdings, with additional participation from Janus Henderson Investors, SV Health Investors and Jefferson Life Sciences. All of OMass’s existing investors also took part, including Syncona, Oxford Science Enterprises, GV, Northpond Ventures, Sanofi Ventures, British Business Bank and the University of Oxford.
Ros Deegan, Chief Executive Officer of OMass Therapeutics, said: “This financing comes at an exciting point in OMass’ evolution as we advance OMS1620 into the clinic, with our SLC15A4 inhibitor poised to follow. We have demonstrated the ability of our team and approach to discover and deliver a pipeline of first- and best-in-class programmes in endocrinology and immunology into the clinic. With the backing of an outstanding group of new and existing investors, we are entering our next phase of growth with the resources to translate that progress into a portfolio of clinically differentiated medicines for patients.”
Evan Greif, Principal at Bain Capital Life Sciences, added: “OMass leverages an experienced team and a clear vision for building a leading therapeutics company that translates complex biology into differentiated medicines for patients with significant unmet needs. The Company is executing against that vision by advancing OMS1620 and applying its proprietary discovery approach to build a broader pipeline across endocrinology and immunology. We see meaningful potential for OMS1620 to improve the treatment for patients with CAH and look forward to partnering with Ros and the team to support the Company’s strategic and patient-first approach.”
Max Klement, Partner, Venture Investments at Novo Holdings, said: “We are pleased to join a premier investor syndicate supporting OMass as the Company advances its breakthrough programs into the clinic. Each of these candidates has the potential to address substantial unmet patient needs in their respective areas of endocrinology and immunology, and we look forward to the Company’s continuing progress.”
The Science
Founded in 2016 as a spin-out from Professor Dame Carol Robinson’s lab at the University of Oxford, OMass set out to translate native mass spectrometry research into novel small-molecule therapeutics against historically challenging targets.
Its proprietary OdyssION drug discovery platform combines next-generation native mass spectrometry, novel biochemistry techniques and custom chemistry to interrogate drug targets within their native ecosystems, providing “cell-system fidelity with cell-free precision.”
Where the Money Goes
Proceeds will advance the lead programme, OMS1620, a potential best-in-class MC2 (melanocortin-2) receptor antagonist, through Phase 2 clinical development in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. OMS1620 is designed to increase receptor residency time and maintain activity in the presence of rising endogenous ACTH levels, which can allow more CAH patients to achieve androgen normalisation while on physiologic doses of glucocorticoids.
The financing will also support the earlier-stage pipeline, including initial clinical data for a potential first-in-class SLC15A4 inhibitor for lupus and other diseases associated with interferon overproduction and pathogenic B-cell activation.
A Busy Year for European Therapeutics
OMass’s Series C comes amid several significant European therapeutics rounds in 2026:
- France: Bionyra Pharma, €143 million for inflammatory disease treatments
- Denmark: Breye Therapeutics, €67.5 million for its oral small-molecule pipeline, also co-led by Novo Holdings
- UK: Cambridge-based STORM Therapeutics, €47.5 million; Microbiotica, €42 million; Glasgow-based Mironid, €39.9 million; London-based Alchemab Therapeutics, €29.3 million
- Netherlands: Laigo Bio, an additional €5.5 million
Together, these announcements represent roughly €374.7 million in newly reported financing during 2026, rising to €649.7 million with OMass’s round included.
