US Startups Raise $102M Across Defence and Cancer Therapy Rounds

FORE Biotherapeutics Advances Cancer Programme

Separately, FORE Biotherapeutics has raised $67.4 million to fund development of its lead targeted therapy, plixorafenib, Ventureburn reported. The round was co-led by SR One, Medicxi and SymBiosis, and drew new investors including TaiAx, LG Technology Ventures, Primer Ventures and Axil.

Existing backers also participated, among them OrbiMed Advisors, HBM Healthcare Investments, Wellington Management, Cormorant Capital, Novartis Venture Fund, Windham Life Science Partners, Samsung and 3B Capital. The latest financing brings the total capital raised in the company's Series D-2 to $110 million.

The Philadelphia-based firm is developing targeted therapies for cancers that are often difficult to treat. Its treatment, plixorafenib, is also known as FORE8394.

Funding Directed at Clinical Milestones

FORE intends to use the proceeds to continue late-stage development of plixorafenib. The company has completed target enrolment in the recurrent or progressive BRAF V600E primary central nervous system tumour basket of its global FORTE study.

Topline results from that trial are expected by late 2026. President and chief executive officer William Hinshaw said the additional capital is expected to help the firm navigate key clinical and regulatory steps over the coming years and move plixorafenib toward its next stages of development, according to Ventureburn.

Together, the rounds total more than $100 million and reflect continued investor interest in specialised infrastructure and therapeutic development within the U.S. venture market.