French BioTech startup TAFALGIE THERAPEUTICS locks in €12 million to tackle the opioid crisis with non-opioid drugs

TAFALGIE THERAPEUTICS, a Marseille-based clinical-stage BioTech startup developing non-opioid treatments for pain, has secured €12 million in a Series A funding round – bringing its total raised since founding to €30 million.

The round attracted a mix of new business angels, particularly family offices, and returning investors. Previous investors include Bpifrance and the EIC.

“I would like to thank all the investors who participated in this new round of financing. Their commitment and trust reinforce our determination to provide safe and effective therapeutic solutions to the millions of patients suffering from pain as quickly as possible, without the harmful side effects of opioid-based medications.

“While many companies are struggling to secure financing, TAFALGIE THERAPEUTICS continues to strengthen its financial structure to support its roadmap and intends to extend this Series A round soon through an innovative arrangement,” said Eric Schettini, Co-founder and CEO of TAFALGIE THERAPEUTICS.

Founded in 2020 as a spin-off from CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, TAFALGIE THERAPEUTICS is focusing on the development of next-generation analgesics that modulate pain signals through TAFA4 protein-derived compounds. Its aim is to address acute, chronic, neuropathic, inflammatory, and post-operative pain without the risks associated with conventional painkillers such as respiratory issues, sedation, tolerance, and addiction.

This latest round, said to be an unusual funding strategy in the biopharmaceutical sector, reflects a growing interest from family offices in medium-sized, high-tech private equity investments.

The newly raised funds will be used to advance TT5, the company’s leading drug candidate derived from TAFA4 protein peptide, through Phase 2A clinical trials. Additionally, the money will support further development of two other candidates from its research platform and bolster its internal research and clinical teams as the company aims to establish a leading “Discovery Platform” focused on pain treatment.

The platform looks to tackle a serious public health issue. According to data provided by TAFALGIE, the United States has seen more than 727,000 deaths linked to opioid use between 1999 and 2022, with life expectancy dropping by 0.67 years in 2022 due to the crisis. In Europe, while the situation varies by country, opioid-related deaths increased significantly from 2000 to 2015. France has seen tramadol become the deadliest painkiller between 2013 and 2022.

“From an operational standpoint, the funds raised will enable us to continue developing TT5, which entered Phase 1 (TAFAFIRST study) this summer, until the completion of its Phase 2A trials, and to initiate clinical studies of our two other leads by 2027. At that point, TAFALGIE THERAPEUTICS should be ideally positioned to finalise discussions with pharmaceutical companies to finance the final clinical stages,” added Schettini.

The TAFAFIRST study, which began in Australia in partnership with CMAX and the Royal Adelaide Hospital, is evaluating TT5’s safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and biological response.

Conducted as a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, it involves 94 participants, starting with single ascending doses and moving to multiple ascending doses before testing TT5 in post-surgical settings. Initial results are expected between late 2025 and early 2026.

With additional non-dilutive backing totalling €6.5 million from Bpifrance and the EU, the company is on a strong path towards reshaping pain treatment across the board.

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