Lyon Biotech Kairos Discovery Raises Funds for New Cancer Drug
Lyon, August 13 – Kairos Discovery, a Lyon-based biotech company, is actively raising funds to continue the development of its oral drug candidate, KDX-350, targeting certain types of cancer, including colorectal, renal, and certain ENT cancers. The company aims to secure €850,000 through a public fundraising campaign launched at the end of July via the European alternative investment platform Capital Cell, which specializes in scientific and biotechnology projects. As of Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 80 investors had already contributed to the initiative, which allows the general public (individuals or sole proprietors) to invest with a minimum ticket of 1,000 euros.
Targeted Therapy for Cancer
Kairos Discovery’s drug candidate, KDX-350, is a small chemical molecule designed to inhibit the CK2 protein, which is responsible for the development of numerous cancers. Dr. Alexandre Bancet, CEO and co-founder of Kairos Discovery, explained, “With this anti-cancer treatment, we are targeting an anomaly, in this case, the CK2 protein of the kinase family, involved in the development of many cancers.” This targeted therapy is presented as being “more effective” and “less toxic” for patients compared to traditional chemotherapy.
Development and Future Plans
The company has already established preclinical proof-of-concept for KDX-350. The current fundraising round aims to enable Kairos Discovery to continue its development with the objective of “establishing a collaboration by 2027” with a potential pharmaceutical partner, leading to a clinical phase in 2028. This scientific discovery, which could significantly impact patients’ lives, originated at the Cancer Research Center of Lyon, where Dr. Bancet conducted his medicinal chemistry thesis under the direction of Isabelle Krimm.
Strategic Partnerships and Relocation
The fundraising operation is co-led by a regional investment fund and a renowned family office specializing in life sciences, whose identity remains confidential. Historical partners of the biotech, including Jean-Guillaume Lafay, the former CEO of Mablink Bioscience and current chairman of Kairos Discovery’s board of directors, also support the initiative. This fundraising round, expected to close in September, marks a new stage for Kairos Discovery. The company, initially incubated by Pulsalys, is currently relocating its offices from Lyon 1 University to the Bioparc, Avenue Rockefeller in Lyon, during August. This move aims to consolidate its chemistry and biology activities on a single site.
About Kairos Discovery
Founded in late 2022 at Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Kairos Discovery brings together a team of dedicated professionals, including Alexandre Arnaud (chemical engineer and co-founder), Alexandre Bancet (CEO and co-founder), Léna Marlhoux (doctoral student in collaboration with the Cancer Research Center of Lyon), Juliette Martel (intern), Gabriela Makulyte (biology project manager), David Neves (Chief Technical Officer and co-founder), and Marie-Lou Gonin-Bossis (intern), alongside Jean-Guillaume Lafay. The company is committed to advancing innovative solutions in cancer treatment.
