Weekly wrap-up: Optimum’s 16th Annual Healthcare Investor Conference is almost upon us!
Optimum’s annual conference brings together top executives and business leaders from the life sciences and investment communities.
As well as a series of star-studded panels, this year will see the introduction of a “Speed Dating” service where biotechs get a chance to meet with some of the most influential investors in the industry.
The event is invitation only and at maximum capacity, but if you would like to learn more about this or future events, please email irconference@optimumcomms.com
Keep an eye on Optimum’s website for insights and other content from the event!
Resolution Therapeutics Announces £63.5 Million Series B Financing and Chair Appointment
Resolution Therapeutics Limited, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on unlocking the regenerative potential of macrophage therapy for the treatment of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, on Thursday announced it has raised £63.5 million in a Series B financing. The financing was led by Syncona Ltd. Alongside the financing, Resolution also announced the appointment of Paul Sekhri as Chair of the Board of Directors.
The financing will advance its lead asset RTX001, an engineered, pro-regenerative macrophage therapy with first-in-class potential for end-stage liver disease, into the Phase I/II EMERALD study.
On Tuesday, Resolution also announced that two abstracts have been selected for presentations at the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) The Liver Meeting® 2024. The conference will take place in San Diego, California, between 15-19 November 2024.
LoQus23 Therapeutics announces £35 million (c.$43 million) Series A financing to advance its small molecule somatic expansion inhibition therapy for Huntington’s disease
LoQus23 Therapeutics Ltd, a private biotechnology company investigating small molecule drugs that could stop DNA instability and slow neurodegeneration in Huntington’s Disease, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and similar triplet repeat expansion diseases, announced on Wednesday the successful close of its £35 million (c.$43 million) Series A financing.
The financing was led by leading life sciences venture capital firm Forbion, with participation from existing investors SV Health Investors’ Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF) and Novartis Venture Fund (NVF). Their lead Huntington’s Disease programme, targeting MutSβ, is set to enter the clinic in 2026.
AstronauTx appoints Jane Rhodes as Chief Executive Officer and Expands Executive Team
AstronauTx Ltd, a biotechnology company developing novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, on Tuesday announced the appointment of Dr Jane Rhodes, PhD, MBA, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and member of the Board, and Magnus Ivarsson as Chief Translation and Early Development Officer.
Neuraxpharm expands operations into the Middle East
Neuraxpharm Group, a leading European specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, on Tuesday announced the launch of Neuraxpharm Middle East to cover the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar – as the Company continues its international expansion.
Heidelberg Pharma: New Clinical Data on Lead ADC Candidate HDP-101 Presented at IMS 2024 Demonstrating Complete Remission in One Patient
Heidelberg Pharma AG, a clinical stage company developing innovative Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs), on Tuesday announced that new clinical data from its lead Amanitin-based ADC candidate, HDP-101, were presented at the International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 27 September 2024. Data from the study show the elimination of tumour cells in one patient who had been heavily pretreated.
Following the presentation at IMS, Heidelberg Pharma will host an R&D webinar on 15 October 2024 at 17:00 CEST/ 11:00 EDT, for investors, analysts, and media. Register here to attend the webinar.
Curve Therapeutics further strengthens leadership team with the appointment of Andre Hoekema as new Chair of Board
Curve Therapeutics, a private biotechnology company pioneering a revolutionary intracellular screening platform addressing complex and challenging disease targets, on Wednesday announced the further strengthening of its leadership team with the appointments of Andre Hoekema as Chair of the Board and Cora Griffin as Head of Business Development. The appointments continue the strong momentum at Curve following the recent appointment of Simon Jones as CFO/COO.
Catch up on the latest life sciences sector moves
Check out the latest moves in the life sciences sector with our monthly round-up of new funds and the biggest job changes, including analysts, bankers, and healthcare journalists.
Optimum TV’s Countdown to Conference
In the run up to the Optimum Healthcare Investor Conference, our Optimum TV host Stephen Adams has been talking to investors to discuss the life sciences market in 2024.
To watch Optimum TV episodes with top investors and life sciences leaders, head to Optimum’s website here https://www.optimumcomms.com/optimumtv/ or our YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/@optimumcomms
