/Companies

Apellis Pharmaceuticals

Unicorn exit · $5.6Bacquired by Biogen

Crestwood, US · 11 known investors

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Acquired by Biogen May 2026 · $5.6B ($41 per share cash plus contingent value right up to $4/share, ~$5.6 billion total transaction value) · source ↗

NASDAQ-listed company developing therapies for complement cascade-driven diseases in haematology, ophthalmology, and nephrology.

Founders & leadership

PD
Pascal DeschateletsCo-founder
CF
Cedric FrancoisCo-founder

Board

GC
Gerald ChanBoard director
SO
Stephanie O'BrienBoard director
AM
Alec MachielsBoard director
AS
A. Sinclair DunlopBoard director

Investors · 11

Also in the syndicate · 3

AJU IB Investment Co., Ltd.leadEpidarex VenturesMorningside Ventureslead

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements

$134.9M disclosed across 5 of 6 rounds · 2013–2017

  • Undisclosed amountSeries CDec 2014

    AJU IB Investment Co., Ltd. (lead), Morningside Ventures (lead), Epidarex Ventures

    Source ↗
▶$20MraisedAug 2017 · 16 investors · Pharmaceuticals
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Bihua ChenDirector
  • Steven AxonExecutive Officer
  • Alec MachielsDirector
  • Stephanie O'BrienDirector
  • Robert AdelmanDirector
  • Nicole PerryExecutive Officer
  • Maha KatabiDirector
  • Gerald ChanDirector
  • A. Sinclair DunlopDirector
  • Daniel GeffkenExecutive Officer
  • Cedric FrancoisExecutive Officer, Director
  • Pascal DeschateletsExecutive Officer
  • David WatsonExecutive Officer
  • Robert KimExecutive Officer
Offering amount
$60.1M
Amount sold
$20M
First sale
Aug 2017
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$47.1MraisedFeb 2016 · 7 investors · Pharmaceuticals
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • David WatsonExecutive Officer
  • Stephanie O'BrienDirector
  • Bihua ChenDirector
  • Alec MachielsDirector
  • Pascal DeschateletsExecutive Officer
  • Daniel GeffkenExecutive Officer
  • Nicole PerryExecutive Officer
  • A. Sinclair DunlopDirector
  • Robert AdelmanDirector
  • Cedric FrancoisExecutive Officer, Director
  • Gerald ChanDirector
  • Federico GrossiExecutive Officer
Offering amount
$47.1M
Amount sold
$47.1M
First sale
Dec 2015
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$32.1MraisedJan 2016 · 6 investors · Pharmaceuticals
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Cedric FrancoisExecutive Officer, Director
  • A. Sinclair DunlopDirector
  • Bihua ChenDirector
  • Pascal DeschateletsExecutive Officer
  • Federico GrossiExecutive Officer
  • Daniel GeffkenExecutive Officer
  • David WatsonExecutive Officer
  • Stephanie O'BrienDirector
  • Nicole PerryExecutive Officer
  • Gerald ChanDirector
  • Alec MachielsDirector
Offering amount
$32.1M
Amount sold
$32.1M
First sale
Dec 2015
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$17.7MraisedJun 2015 · 1 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Gerald ChanDirector
  • Stephanie O'BrienDirector
  • Alec MachielsDirector
  • A. Sinclair DunlopDirector
  • Pascal DeschateletsExecutive Officer
  • Cedric FrancoisExecutive Officer, Director
Offering amount
$17.7M
Amount sold
$17.7M
Minimum investment
$10K
First sale
Dec 2014
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$17.8MraisedAug 2014 · 25 investors · Pharmaceuticals
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Alec MachielsDirector
  • Stephanie O'BrienDirector
  • Cedric FrancoisExecutive Officer, Director
  • Gerald ChanDirector
  • Pascal DeschateletsExecutive Officer
Offering amount
$24M
Amount sold
$17.8M
First sale
Jul 2013
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2009
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗

Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.

Founder mafia

3 people who came through Apellis Pharmaceuticals went on to found or lead other companies.

In the news

Frequently asked questions

What does Apellis Pharmaceuticals do?
NASDAQ-listed company developing therapies for complement cascade-driven diseases in haematology, ophthalmology, and nephrology.
Who founded Apellis Pharmaceuticals?
Apellis Pharmaceuticals was founded by Pascal Deschatelets, Cedric Francois.
Who are Apellis Pharmaceuticals's investors?
Apellis Pharmaceuticals's investors include Avoro Capital Advisors, EMBL Ventures, Epidarex Capital, F-Prime Capital, Keyhorse Capital, Sofinnova Ventures, Solasta Ventures, venBio Partners.
How much funding has Apellis Pharmaceuticals raised?
Apellis Pharmaceuticals has disclosed $134.9M raised across 5 of its 6 known rounds.
Who acquired Apellis Pharmaceuticals?
Apellis Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Biogen.
Where is Apellis Pharmaceuticals headquartered?
Apellis Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Crestwood, US.