DURHAM, NC, September 27, 2019 -- Ribometrix, a biotechnology company developing small molecule therapeutics that directly target RNA to treat human diseases, today announced $7.8 million in additional funding from existing investors, the Dementia Discovery Fund and Illumina Ventures. Ribometrix also announced the appointment of Mike Clayman, M.D., as chairman of the board of directors. The new funding will support the continued development of the Ribometrix discovery platform, which uses sophisticated structural analysis and proprietary assays to identify ligands that bind to highly structured pockets in therapeutically compelling RNAs to modulate protein expression. Ribometrix’s approach is designed to enable the discovery of selective, orally bioavailable, RNA-binding small molecules with broad tissue distribution and bioavailability.
Ribometrix Announces $7.8 Million in New Funding to Advance RNA-Targeting Drug Discovery Platform
Amplyx Pharmaceuticals Licenses Phase 2 Drug Candidate for BK Viral Disease in Transplant Patients
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 16, 2019 -- Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for debilitating and life-threatening diseases in patients with compromised immune systems, announced today that it has executed an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Novartis under which Amplyx has acquired the rights to the Phase 2 anti-BK virus (BKV) monoclonal antibody, MAU868, for the treatment and prevention of BKV disease. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Amplyx Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Preliminary Data from Ongoing Fosmanogepix Phase 2 Study in Candidemia
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 16, 2019 -- Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for debilitating and life-threatening diseases in patients with compromised immune systems, announced today that two independent review committees completed their planned safety and efficacy assessment of data from 50% of the planned study population enrolled in the Company's Phase 2 open-label clinical trial of fosmanogepix (APX001) for the treatment of candidemia.
Alex Arfaei Joins Pappas Capital As Partner
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 11, 2019 -- Pappas Capital, a leading investor in early-stage life sciences companies, announced today that Alex Arfaei has joined the firm as a Partner of Pappas Ventures. In his role, Mr. Arfaei will be responsible for helping to identify and evaluate investment opportunities for the firm's venture capital business. Previously, Mr. Arfaei served as a Managing Director with BMO Capital Markets, where he was a senior equity research analyst covering major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
FDA Grants Fast Track Status to Amplyx Pharmaceuticals for Fosmanogepix
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 9, 2019 -- Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for debilitating and life-threatening diseases in patients with compromised immune systems, announced today that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designations for both the intravenous (IV) and oral formulations of the company's lead antifungal candidate, fosmanogepix (APX001), for seven indications. These indications include treatment of invasive candidiasis, treatment of invasive aspergillosis, treatment of scedosporiosis, treatment of fusariosis, treatment of mucormycosis, treatment of cryptococcosis and treatment of coccidioidomycosis. Amplyx is investigating the safety and efficacy of fosmanogepix in its ongoing global Phase 2 clinical program.
Mirum Pharmaceuticals Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering
FOSTER CITY, CA, July 17, 2019 -- Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage therapeutics company developing a novel approach for treating cholestatic liver diseases, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 5,000,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $15.00 per share. The gross proceeds to Mirum from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, are expected to be $75,000,000. The shares are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Market on July 18, 2019 under the symbol "MIRM". The offering is expected to close on July 22, 2019, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Pappas Capital Expands Leadership Team With Appointments Of Kyle Rasbach To Managing Partner And Matthew Boyer To Chief Financial Officer
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, July 16, 2019 -- Pappas Capital, a leading investor in early-stage life sciences companies, today announced the promotion of Kyle Rasbach, PhD, PharmD to a Managing Partner of Pappas Ventures, the firm's venture capital business. In his new role, Dr. Rasbach will help to oversee Pappas Ventures and lead fundraising and investment efforts for its future venture funds. Pappas Capital also announced that Matthew Boyer has been named Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Ford Worthy who will continue with the firm as a Partner and Senior Advisor.
Reneo Pharmaceuticals Raises $50 Million to Develop Therapeutics to Treat Genetic Mitochondrial Diseases
San Diego, CA, May 20, 2019 -- Reneo Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has completed a $50 million Series A financing to develop therapies for diseases associated with deficits in cellular metabolism and energy production. The A round was led by New Enterprise Associates. Other participants in the round include Lundbeckfonden Ventures, Pappas Capital and RiverVest Venture Partners. Reneo is currently developing REN001, a PPAR delta agonist, to treat genetically defined rare mitochondrial diseases such as fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAOD) and primary mitochondrial myopathies (PMM). Proceeds from the Series A will be used to support ongoing Phase 1b clinical trials, as well as other clinical and preclinical studies.
Milestone Pharmaceuticals Announces Pricing of Upsized Initial Public Offering
Montreal and Charlotte, NC, May 8, 2019 -- Milestone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: MIST), a Phase 3 clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing etripamil for the treatment of cardiovascular indications, today announced the pricing of its upsized initial public offering of 5,500,000 of its common shares at a public offering price of $15.00 per share. The gross proceeds to Milestone, before deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $82.5 million. All of the common shares are being offered by Milestone. In addition, Milestone has granted certain of the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 825,000 additional common shares at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.
Aura Biosciences Completes $40 Million Series D Financing
Cambridge, MA -- April 02, 2019 -- Aura Biosciences, a leader in the development of novel targeted therapies in ocular oncology, today announced that it closed a $40 million Series D financing. New investor Medicxi led the round, with current investors Advent Life Sciences, Arix Bioscience, Chiesi Ventures, Columbus Venture Partners, Lundbeckfonden Ventures and Ysios Capital also participating. The Company plans to use the proceeds from the Series D financing to support the late stage clinical development of their lead asset, light-activated AU-011, for the treatment of primary choroidal melanoma.
