Afferent Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing selective P2X3 antagonists to treat neurogenic respiratory, urologic and pain disorders. Its lead candidate, AF-219, is an oral, selective, non-narcotic P2X3 antagonist being developed for pathologic cough, including cough in IPF patients, and showed an 84% reduction in cough frequency in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study. A multi-center, dose-escalation Phase 2b study of AF-219 has completed enrollment and top-line data are expected in September. The company plans to initiate a Phase 2 study of AF-219 in IPF patients this year and to progress its next compound to the clinic later this year for cardiovascular and other P2X3-driven diseases. Afferent positions its P2X3 platform to explore indications including chronic cough, IPF cough, asthma, COPD, visceral sensory disorders, resistant hypertension, and various chronic pain disorders. The recently completed $55 million Series C will fund dose-selection, Phase 3 preparations for AF-219, and advancement of the next compound. Afferent Pharmaceuticals is developing compounds to treat chronic pain by targeting the P2X3 receptor. The company closed a $23M Series A financing to advance its programs. Proceeds will be used to accelerate development of its P2X3 receptor-targeted pain therapies. In conjunction with the financing, Afferent exclusively licensed the P2X3 program from Roche in Basel, Switzerland. Afferent was launched in December 2009 and is based in Palo Alto, California. It is led by Anthony P. Ford, Ph.D., chief scientific officer and a recognized expert in the P2X3 field.

Total raised

$78M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series C

Latest activity

Jul 2015