MARBLEHEAD, Mass., Oct. 23, 2019 — Allievex Corporation (“Allievex”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company founded by Pappas Capital, today announced the completion of a Series A financing co-led by Novo Holdings and Pappas Capital. Allievex has also appointed Kyle Rasbach, Ph.D., PharmD., Managing Partner at Pappas Ventures and Tiba Aynechi, Ph.D., Partner at Novo Holdings, to its Board of Directors. Proceeds from the fundraise will be used to support registrational Phase 2 clinical studies of Allievex’s lead product candidate, tralesinidase alfa (formerly known as BMN 250), an investigational enzyme replacement therapy to treat Sanfilippo syndrome type B or mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB (MPS IIIB) for which Allievex has obtained an exclusive, worldwide license from BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. Under the terms of its agreement with BioMarin, Allievex will assume all financial obligations associated with the development and commercialization of tralesinidase alfa, while BioMarin will provide certain manufacturing services in support of a marketing authorization filing.
Allievex Completes Series A Financing Led by Pappas Capital and Novo Holdings
Former CoLucid Drug, Lasmiditan, Receives FDA Approval
INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 11, 2019 -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved REYVOW™ (lasmiditan) an oral medication for the acute treatment of migraine, with or without aura, in adults. REYVOW has a unique mechanism of action and is the first and only FDA-approved medicine in a new class of acute treatment for migraine (serotonin (5-HT)1F receptor agonists).
Vertex and Ribometrix Establish Strategic Collaboration to Discover and Develop RNA-Targeted Small Molecule Therapeutics
BOSTON & DURHAM, NC, September 30, 2019 -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX) and RNA therapeutics developer Ribometrix, Inc. announced today that the companies have entered into a strategic collaboration to discover and develop novel RNA-targeted small molecule therapeutic candidates for serious diseases. The collaboration will combine Ribometrix’s proprietary discovery platform for identifying and optimizing small molecule therapeutics that modulate RNA function by targeting three-dimensional (3D) RNA structures with Vertex’s scientific, clinical and regulatory capabilities for up to three therapeutic programs, including one ongoing discovery program from Ribometrix.
Ribometrix Announces $7.8 Million in New Funding to Advance RNA-Targeting Drug Discovery Platform
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.
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.
