BioRelix Inc., based in New Haven, Connecticut, is developing antibiotics using a riboswitch-based drug discovery platform. Riboswitches are short stretches of mRNA that bind small molecules and control genes essential for the survival of many human pathogens, and BioRelix targets these as novel anti-infective drug targets. The company’s most advanced program is an antibiotic for a hospital-acquired infection. BioRelix also has a research collaboration with a subsidiary of Merck & Co. to identify new antibacterial drug candidates. Financially, the company is completing a funding round of approximately $2.5M that includes a $269,160 follow-on investment from Connecticut Innovations via its Eli Whitney Fund; CI previously invested $500,000 in December 2011. Other investors include CHL Medical Partners, Novartis Bioventures, New Leaf Ventures, Aisling Capital, Elm Street Ventures and Alexandria Equities. BioRelix develops new anti-infective drugs using a riboswitch-based drug discovery platform derived from work by co-founder Ronald Breaker at Yale. The company is led by CEO Brian Dixon and is focused on antibiotics discovery and development. Its most advanced program is an antibiotic targeting a hospital-acquired infection. BioRelix is also engaged in a research collaboration with a subsidiary of Merck & Co. to identify new antibacterial candidates. The company raised $4.244M in funding to advance its programs, with participation from multiple strategic and venture investors. The platform centers on riboswitches—short stretches of mRNA that bind small molecules and control genes essential for pathogen survival. BioRelix is developing novel antibiotics that target common stretches of bacterial RNA which control many functions essential for bacterial survival. The company says this RNA-targeting approach could enable new mechanisms of antibacterial action. BioRelix raised $25.75 million in its first funding round. The financing included New Leaf Venture Partners, Aisling Capital, CHL Medical Partners, Novartis Venture Fund, Elm Street Ventures and Alexandria Real Estate Equities. Its interim CEO told VentureWire the funding should allow the company to push a drug candidate into human tests by late 2009 or early 2010. The company is based in New Haven, Conn.

Total raised

$30M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Apr 2012