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Draig Therapeutics Ltd., a rising star in neuropsychiatric drug development, has closed a $140 million Series A financing round, the company announced Wednesday, marking a monumental leap toward revolutionizing treatments for severe depression.

The financing, led by New York-based Access Biotechnology, positions Draig among the most heavily backed biotech startups in Europe this year. The round drew further support from SV Health Investors, Sanofi Ventures, and London’s ICG, forming a formidable alliance of scientific vision and investment firepower.

Born of Academia, Fueled by Innovation

A spinout from Cardiff University, Draig was launched in 2024 through a joint effort between the university’s Medicines Discovery Institute and SV Health. With ICG and SV Health providing early seed capital, the company has evolved from an academic initiative into a clinical-stage disruptor with global ambitions.

Covington & Burling LLP served as legal counsel to Draig, with a team led by partner Ben Land-Maycock and special counsel Katy Knight guiding the transaction.

A New Dawn for Depression Treatment

At the heart of Draig’s mission is a relentless focus on hard-to-drug targets in neuropsychiatric conditions — a therapeutic frontier that has long stymied drugmakers. Its lead asset, DT-101, is now poised to enter phase II clinical trials, funded by the new injection of capital.

“We were drawn to Draig’s bold scientific vision,” said Charles Dunn, principal at SV Health Investors. “The founding team has shown exceptional promise in cracking the code of previously elusive neurological targets.”

Draig’s CEO emphasized that the funding would propel rigorous clinical trials, team expansion, and further development of its proprietary drug discovery platform, aimed at major depressive disorder and other mental health conditions.

Leadership and Strategic Growth

ICG, which has been deeply involved in the company’s trajectory, announced that Samantha Budd Haeberlein — former Chief Medical Officer and now senior adviser to its life sciences division — will join Draig’s board of directors. Her leadership is expected to lend seasoned oversight as the company scales.

“Draig has a great platform from which to make a meaningful impact on neuropsychiatric care,” said Haeberlein. “This financing round is just the beginning of what’s possible.”

The Global Stakes in Mental Health

Mental health disorders affect hundreds of millions worldwide, and Draig’s approach reflects a growing urgency to find precise, biologically targeted therapies. With pharmaceutical giants like Sanofi backing its rise, Draig is betting on science over serendipity in a field too often plagued by trial-and-error treatments.

As the world turns a sharper eye toward the mental health crisis, Draig Therapeutics is positioning itself not just as a biotech company, but as a catalyst for hope — armed with funding, world-class science, and a mission to transform the future of brain health.