Calidi Biotherapeutics Announces Commitment of $25 Million in Series B Funding to Advance Stem Cell-Based Platforms for the Delivery and Potentiation of Oncolytic Viruses to Treat Cancer

On June 23, 2023 Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc. ("Calidi"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is pioneering the development of allogeneic cell-based delivery of oncolytic viruses, reported the commitment of $25 million in Series B funding led by Jackson Investment Group ("JIG"), who has funded an initial investment of $5 million, and participation from Calidi Cure, LLC, a consortium of new and existing investors led by Allan Camaisa, CEO and Chairman of Calidi (Press release, Calidi Biotherapeutics, JUN 23, 2023, View Source [SID1234632872]). The remaining commitment is conditioned upon the consummation of the previously announced business combination between First Light Acquisition Group (NYSEAMERICAN: FLAG) and Calidi. FLAG’s Sponsor and Metric Finance Holdings will contribute sponsor economics to the Series B investors as part of the transaction. The financing will enable Calidi to continue the advancement of its pipeline including CLD-101, CLD-201, and CLD-202, which utilize a potent allogeneic stem cell and oncolytic virus combination for use in multiple oncology indications.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Calidi’s technology utilizing stem cells to deliver and potentiate oncolytic viruses is a novel and differentiated approach to fighting cancer. I am grateful to our new and existing investors for their support of our mission and look forward to using this funding to continue pushing the frontiers of stem cells and oncolytic viral therapies and making a difference in the lives of patients," said Allan Camaisa, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Calidi Biotherapeutics.

"Jackson Investment Group invests in companies and people who we believe have the potential to make significant impacts in areas of great unmet need," said Rick Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Jackson Investment Group. "We believe in the promise of Calidi’s cell-based delivery platform and are excited to support the company through this next chapter in their continued pursuit of improving outcomes for patients living with cancer." JIG, an existing investor in FLAG, is an Atlanta-based private investment firm with over $3 billion of assets under management and businesses in the energy, healthcare, real estate, technology, and bioscience industries.

Brookline Capital Markets, a division of Arcadia Securities LLC, acted as the placement agent for the transaction.