Syndeio Biosciences Secures $90M in New Financing Round with Participation from Pudao Capital to Advance CNS Therapies

VCBeat has learned that,Clinical-stage biotechnology company Syndeio Biosciences (“Syndeio”) has recently completed a new round of financing. This round was jointly led by a group of globally renowned life science institutional investors, including Pudao Capital, Catalio Capital (a venture capital firm backed by KKR), Innoviva, Tenmile, Luson Bioventures, and Palo Santo. With the completion of this financing round, Syndeio’s cumulative funding has reached $90 million.

Syndeio is dedicated to developing innovative therapies that modulate synaptic function for psychiatric and central nervous system (CNS) disorders, with a focus on major depressive disorder (MDD), Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia.

The company, formerly known as Gate Neurosciences, was officially renamed Syndeio following this investment and its merger with Boost Neuroscience. Syndeio has fully integrated the core technologies of the Boost™ Synaptic Pharmacology Platform, which originated from pioneering research conducted at Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Boost Neuroscience. The scientific founding team includesNobel Laureate Dr. Thomas C. Südhof, which is dedicated to restoring impaired synaptic plasticity and function in central nervous system disorders.

Syndeio’s core clinical pipeline includes: Zelquistinel, currently in Phase II clinical trials for major depressive disorder (MDD), is about to launch the world’s first biomarker study targeting Alzheimer’s disease; Apimostinel is undergoing investigator-initiated Phase II clinical trials for the rapid relief of acute depressive symptoms.

Syndeio is continuously securing support from its existing shareholders, including leading international pharmaceutical companiesStrategic Support from Eli Lilly and AbbVie. This also underscores the broad industry recognition of its technology platform and clinical prospects.

For this round of investment,Pudao Capital stated“Pudao Capital focuses on breakthrough innovations at the intersection of biopharmaceuticals and technology. We firmly believe that Syndeio’s synapse-targeted therapeutic approach has the potential to transform the treatment paradigm for central nervous system diseases, offering lasting efficacy and renewed hope to hundreds of millions of patients worldwide suffering from psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Meanwhile, Pudao Capital will assist Syndeio in identifying potential Chinese partners, conducting clinical trials and regulatory filings in China, and exploring other collaborative opportunities to support the company’s growth.”

Founded in 2019, Puda Capital is a boutique private equity fund manager specializing in the healthcare and technological innovation sectors. Upholding the philosophy of “Puda for Social Good,” the firm is committed to fulfilling its social responsibilities. Its investor base comprises renowned institutional investors and entrepreneurs, including China’s leading market-oriented funds of funds and family offices. The core management team hails from top-tier international investment institutions, bringing extensive industry resources and a global perspective to the healthcare and tech innovation sectors. The team possesses rich experience in domestic and cross-border M&A, growth-stage and early-stage investments, capital markets, and operational management. Puda Capital focuses on healthcare, life sciences, technological innovation, and related emerging interdisciplinary fields, actively participating in special investment opportunities. By collaborating closely with entrepreneurs to co-create value, the firm aims to build a robust Puda Capital ecosystem. Puda Capital has been honored as one of the “Top 10 Emerging Venture Capital Firms in China” in the 2022 China Venture Capital Ranking by Zero2IPO, listed among the “Top 50 Best VC Funds in 2023” by the Fund of Funds Research Center, and recognized as a “2024 Biopharmaceutical Investment Firm of the Year” by VCBeat.