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PsiThera Raises $47.5 Million and Appoints Eric Shaff as CEO to Push Oral TNF Small-Molecule Drugs

The Roivant spinout plans to use its QUAISAR platform to speed discovery of small molecules for immune and inflammatory diseases.

Overview

  • The Series A totals $47.5 million, led by Samsara Biocapital and Lightstone Ventures with participation from Roivant, YK Bioventures, and Eurofarma Ventures.
  • PsiThera, formerly Psivant Therapeutics within Roivant, is now operating independently while retaining Roivant as a backer.
  • Eric Shaff, previously CEO of Seres Therapeutics, takes the helm as CEO, with founder Woody Sherman serving as chief innovation officer.
  • The QUAISAR computational platform combines quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, machine learning, and supercomputing to model protein motion and drug behavior.
  • Initial programs target the TNF superfamily for oral therapies in immunology, with the company reporting a four‑month hit‑to‑lead advance and planning lead candidate selection next year.