BRISBANE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--āshibio, a privately held biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of bone and connective tissue disorders, exited stealth mode today with $40 million in seed and Series A financing. The company was founded in 2022 by Chief Executive Officer Pankaj Bhargava, M.D., and the team at MPM BioImpact, where Dr. Bhargava is also an entrepreneur partner. MPM BioImpact led the Series A round, with contributing funds from Agent Capital, YK Bioventures, and Mirae Asset Venture Investment. In conjunction with the financing, Agent Capital Partner and Co-Founder Preston Noon has joined the Board of Directors.
The funding will allow āshibio to continue to advance development of several investigative therapies including a potential treatment for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare genetic disease characterized by severe and progressive heterotopic ossification (HO), a pathological condition that causes abnormal bone formation in muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues. FOP typically starts in early childhood, is characterized by episodic and painful flare-ups, and leads to severe debilitation and shortened life span.
“We are building a pipeline of innovative therapeutics that leverage emerging biology and novel mechanisms to impact bone and connective tissue disorders that have no approved treatments or where current treatment options are inadequate,” said Dr. Bhargava. “We are grateful to our investors for recognizing the promise of our approach and for supporting our development programs.”
The company’s lead program is based on the discovery that the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) enzyme could serve as a novel target for FOP, as published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research in February 2024.
The research described the case of a unique 35-year-old patient who carries the classic genetic mutation of FOP (ACVR1 R206H, present in over 95% of patients), yet has extreme lack of heterotopic ossification (HO) and near normal mobility. The authors found that the patient has an MMP-9 mutation in addition to the FOP mutation that appears to protect him from flare-ups and the abnormal bone formation typically seen in individuals with FOP. Further studies with MMP-9 gene knockout and pharmacological experiments confirmed that MMP-9 may serve as a novel target in FOP and other more common forms of HO.
āshibio licensed andecaliximab, a humanized antibody that specifically inhibits MMP-9, from Gilead Sciences, Inc. Andecaliximab has been administered to approximately 1,000 patients in previous clinical trials.
āshibio plans to initiate a Phase 2/3 trial of andecaliximab in the second half of 2024 in patients with FOP. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated andecaliximab an Orphan Drug for the treatment of FOP in March 2024, one month after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued its own Orphan Drug Designation for the therapy. The FDA also cleared āshibio's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for andecaliximab in March 2024.
Experienced senior leadership team announced
Prior to joining MPM BioImpact, Dr. Bhargava was the Oncology Therapeutic Area Head at Gilead Sciences. He has also held executive positions at multiple biotech companies during his career, including Sanofi and Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, where he led development programs for oncology and rare genetic diseases.
In addition to completion of the Series A funding, āshibio also announced the following appointments to its senior leadership team:
- Victoria Smith, Ph.D., joins āshibio as Chief Scientific Officer. She has worked across several therapeutic areas including oncology, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. She has previously held executive or senior positions at Amphivena Therapeutics, Gilead Sciences, and Arresto Biosciences, where she was a co-inventor of andecaliximab.
- Deborah Wenkert, M.D., joins āshibio as Chief Medical Officer. She is an experienced pediatric rheumatologist, specializing in rare bone and connective tissue disorders, with extensive experience in both academic and industry settings. She has previously held executive or clinical development positions at Inozyme Pharma, PreciThera, and Amgen.
“At āshibio, we are rapidly advancing novel therapeutics for severe and debilitating bone and connective tissue disorders, an area of great clinical need,” commented Dr. Smith. “It is extremely gratifying to be a part of such an impressive team of seasoned industry executives, clinicians, and researchers who are devoted to improving the lives of patients who have not been adequately served by currently available treatment options.”
“āshibio is clearly at the forefront of drug development in heterotopic ossification and other bone and connective tissue pathologies,” added Todd Foley, managing partner at MPM BioImpact and Chair of the āshibio Board of Directors. “The company is now on a clinical path for its lead asset and is poised to advance a pipeline of programs that address unmet needs.”
āshibio researchers will present an update on the andecaliximab FOP program in an oral and poster presentation at the FOP Drug Development Forum in Stockholm, Sweden on June 27-28, 2024. Company leadership will also present a poster at the International Conference on Children’s Bone Health in Salzburg, Austria from June 22-25, 2024.
About āshibio
āshibio is a privately held biotechnology company developing a pipeline of novel therapeutics for the treatment of bone and connective tissue disorders. Founded in 2022 by company CEO Pankaj Bhargava, M.D., and the team at MPM BioImpact, āshibio exited stealth mode in June 2024 with $40 million in Seed and Series A financing. The company plans to initiate a Phase 2/3 trial of its lead asset, andecaliximab, in the second half of 2024 in patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare genetic disorder characterized by progressive heterotopic ossification (HO), a pathological condition characterized by abnormal bone formation in muscle and soft tissues. For more information, visit www.ashibio.com.
About MPM BioImpact
MPM BioImpact is a world-leading biotechnology investment firm with over 30 years of expertise creating and investing in innovative companies to deliver transformative therapies to patients. Its experienced and dedicated team of investment professionals, entrepreneurs, advisors and leading scientists translate scientific discoveries into breakthrough medicines and potential cures. For more information, visit www.mpmbioimpact.com.
About Agent Capital
Agent Capital is an international life sciences investment firm that supports disruptive healthcare companies focusing on novel, differentiated therapeutics and treatments that address unmet patient needs. Agent Capital aligns with scientists, entrepreneurs, and other investors to develop the next generation of healthcare innovations, leverages their industry expertise and successful track record to source premier deals, accelerate value, and drive successful exits. Since 2017, Agent Capital has invested in over 25 companies, the majority of which have executed collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies or successfully raised additional capital in the private or public markets. For more information, visit www.agentcapital.com.
