Auspex Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in La Jolla, CA, focused on developing and commercializing novel medicines for the treatment of orphan diseases. Its pipeline includes product candidates addressing hyperkinetic movement disorders such as chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, tardive dyskinesia and Tourette syndrome, as well as other orphan indications. The company’s lead program, SD-809, is in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington’s disease. Auspex is led by President and CEO Pratik Shah, Ph.D. The company completed two separate financings totaling $35M and will use the funds to advance SD-809. Gerald Proehl joined the company’s Board of Directors, replacing David Collier. Auspex Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2001 and based in San Diego, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company led by executive chairman Pratik Shah. Its core platform integrates deuterium, a non-radioactive isotope of hydrogen, into previously approved drugs to increase half-life and potentially reduce dosage. The company’s lead compound, SD-809, is a deuterium-substituted analogue of tetrabenazine aimed at treating hyperkinetic movement disorders such as Huntington’s disease. Auspex is preparing to enter Phase 3 clinical trials for SD-809. To supplement working capital during this transition, the company received an undisclosed term loan from Square 1 Bank. Auspex Pharmaceuticals is a privately held biopharmaceutical company in La Jolla that pioneers the use of deuterium in medicinal chemistry. Its lead compound, SD-809, is a novel VMAT‑2 inhibitor being developed for hyperkinetic movement disorders including Huntington’s disease, Tourette syndrome and tardive dyskinesia. The company says SD-809 may offer improved safety, reduced drug–drug interactions, and less frequent dosing versus existing therapies. Auspex is advancing a portfolio that also includes SD-900 (a JAK kinase inhibitor for autoimmune diseases) and SD-560 (for fibrotic diseases). The new financing is intended to advance the development of these molecules and accelerate SD-809’s clinical program. Management expects SD-809’s Phase 3 development to begin in the first half of 2013.

Total raised

$60M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Debt Financing

Latest activity

Jan 2014