SAN DIEGO, Aug. 17, 2020 -- Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for debilitating and life-threatening diseases in patients with compromised immune systems, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in its Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of MAU868 for the treatment of BK viremia in kidney transplant recipients. MAU868 is a novel, human monoclonal antibody that potently neutralizes all four major genotypes of BK virus (BKV). BKV-associated nephropathy is a leading cause of kidney allograft loss.
Amplyx Doses First Patient in Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Anti-BKV Monoclonal Antibody in Renal Transplant Recipients
Cyclerion Therapeutics Completes $24 Million Private Placement
- Additional capital to accelerate clinical development of IW-6463 in two CNS indications and olinciguat for sickle cell disease -
- IW-6463 translational pharmacology and olinciguat STRONG Phase 2 top line clinical study results remain on track for late summer and late Q3 2020, respectively
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 30, 2020 -- Cyclerion Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYCN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for serious and orphan diseases, today announced a direct private sale of $24 million of Cyclerion shares of common stock to Slate Path Capital LP and Pappas Capital.
BioAtla Raises $72.5 Million In Series D Financing
SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2020 -- BioAtla, Inc., a global clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of Conditionally Active Biologic (CAB) antibody therapeutics, today announced closing of a Series D financing round raising $72.5 million. The financing was led by Soleus Capital and joined by several new investors including HBM Healthcare Investments as co-lead, Cormorant Asset Management, Farallon Capital, Pappas Capital, funds managed by Janus Henderson, Boxer Capital, and one other institutional investor. Current investor Pfizer Ventures, the venture capital arm of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), also participated in the financing.
VelosBio Raises $137 Million in Series B Financing
SAN DIEGO -- VelosBio Inc. (“VelosBio”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel, first-in-class cancer therapies targeting receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1), today announced the completion of an oversubscribed Series B financing of $137 million led by Matrix Capital Management and Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company). The Company has raised a total of $202 million in gross proceeds from private financings since its founding in 2017.
New investors participating in the Series B financing round include Adage Capital Management LP, Cormorant Asset Management, Farallon, Foresite Capital, Janus Henderson Investors, Logos Capital, OrbiMed, funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, Viking Global Investors, and Wellington Management Company, which are joining existing investors Arix Bioscience, Decheng Capital, Pappas Capital, Sofinnova Ventures, and Takeda Ventures.
4D Molecular Therapeutics Raises $75 Million in Series C Financing
EMERYVILLE, CA, June 16, 2020 - 4D Molecular Therapeutics (4DMT), a clinical-stage leader in the development of precision-guided AAV gene medicines based on directed evolution, announced the closing of its $75 million Series C financing. The round was led by Viking Global Investors, with participation from new investors including Amzak Health, Casdin Capital, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Longevity Vision Fund, MiraeAsset Financial Group, Octagon Investments, and QUAD Investment Management. Existing investors also participated in the financing, including Arrowmark Partners, Berkeley Catalyst Fund, BVF Partners L.P., Pappas Capital & Chiesi Ventures, Perceptive Advisors, Pfizer Ventures, and Ridgeback Capital Investments.
Amplyx Pharmaceuticals Adds Pfizer and Adage to Series C Financing, Bringing Total to over 90 Million
SAN DIEGO, May 19, 2020 -- Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company developing innovative therapies for debilitating and life-threatening diseases in patients with compromised immune systems, today announced that it has closed a $53 million Series C extension, which brings the Series C round to over $90 million. The financing was led by Sofinnova Investments, with participation from existing investors including New Enterprise Associates, Lundbeckfonden Ventures, Arix Bioscience, Pappas Capital, RiverVest Venture Partners, 3×5 Partners and BioMed Ventures. New equity investment from Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) and Adage Capital Management completed the financing round. Amplyx will use the proceeds of the financing to advance the clinical development of the company's product candidates, fosmanogepix and MAU868.
Amplyx Pharmaceuticals Advances Development of Novel Antifungal, Fosmanogepix
SAN DIEGO, May 19, 2020 -- Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company developing innovative therapies for debilitating and life-threatening diseases in patients with compromised immune systems, announced today that it has advanced development of its lead program, fosmanogepix (APX001). Enrollment has been completed in a Phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of fosmanogepix for the treatment of infections caused by Candida. Top-line data from the trial is expected by July; the results of an initial analysis of the first 10 patients enrolled showed a high level of treatment success. The first patients have also completed treatment in two additional Phase 2 clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of fosmanogepix (APX001) for the treatment of invasive mold infections caused by Aspergillus and rare molds, as well as a study of invasive candidiasis caused by Candida auris, an emerging, life-threatening, drug-resistant fungal pathogen.
HealthpointCapital Acquires Majority Stake in IlluminOss Medical, Inc.
NEW YORK and EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I., May 1, 2020 -- HealthpointCapital, the leading private equity firm focused exclusively on musculoskeletal healthcare, today announced the acquisition of a majority stake in IlluminOss Medical, Inc. ("IlluminOss" or the "Company").
IlluminOss offers a unique and disruptive technology for the orthopedic trauma market. The Company's Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System is a minimally invasive approach for fracture repair and stabilization through a patient-specific intramedullary implant. The system utilizes a light-curable liquid polymer, contained within an expandable balloon, to create a patient-conforming, rigid implant within the bone canal. The technology is particularly suited for the fast-growing elderly patient population. It enables increased stability for osteoporotic and compromised bone, as well as early mobilization. IlluminOss can be also used in conjunction with cleared plates, screws and nails for supplemental fixation in compromised bone.
Curzion Pharmaceuticals Acquired by Horizon Therapeutics
DUBLIN -- April 2, 2020 -- Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) announced today that it has acquired Curzion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held development-stage biopharma company, and its development-stage oral selective lysophosphatidic acid 1 receptor (LPAR1) antagonist, CZN001 (renamed HZN-825). Under terms of the agreement, Horizon acquired Curzion for a $45 million upfront cash payment with additional payments contingent on the achievement of development and regulatory milestones. CZN001 was originally discovered and developed by Sanofi, which is eligible to receive contingent payments upon the achievement of development and commercialization milestones and royalties based on revenue thresholds.
Pappas Capital Strengthens Specialized Fund Management Business With Appointment Of Karen LeVert As Venture Partner
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, Feb. 3, 2020 -- Pappas Capital, a leading investor in early-stage life sciences companies, has appointed Karen LeVert as Venture Partner to help lead the expansion of the firm's Specialized Fund Management business, with a focus on identifying attractive investment opportunities in agricultural and other related technologies. Ms. LeVert has a proven track record of progressing early stage technologies from university research labs to commercialization, and most recently co-founded two independent innovation labs, Southeast TechInventures, Inc. (STI) and Ag TechInventures, LLC (AgTI).
