BlackThorn Therapeutics is a clinical-stage neurobehavioral health company that applies machine learning and computational sciences to develop personalized therapies for mental disorders. The company has been focused on a drug candidate for mood disorders and reported positive Phase I results in April. BlackThorn plans to use new funding to advance its clinical-stage programs for mood disorders and to pursue potential treatments for autism spectrum disorder, targeting a clinical investigation in 2020. Its data-driven approaches are intended to yield patient enrichment strategies to address patient heterogeneity and improve trial success and patient outcomes. The company has been building its team, adding a chief medical officer and a vice president of corporate affairs, and expanded its board with investor representatives in conjunction with the financing. Proceeds will support advancing the platform and therapeutic pipeline at the intersection of technology and clinical neuroscience. BlackThorn Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing targeted treatments for neurobehavioral disorders. Its INFORM™ platform links brain physiology to behavior using advanced functional imaging and objective assessment tools. The company is building a pipeline of first- and best-in-class small molecules and collaborates with academic investigators to enable focused, rapid translational studies. BlackThorn’s lead clinical-stage asset is BTRX-246040, a first-in-class antagonist of the nociceptin receptor (NOPR), a target linked to multiple neurobehavioral disorders. The company plans to use additional funding to advance BTRX-246040 through Phase 2 clinical development and to conduct exploratory pilot studies in targeted indications. BlackThorn is headquartered in South San Francisco, California. BlackThorn Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing targeted treatments for neurobehavioral disorders. Its lead program, BTRX-246040, is a first-in-class antagonist of the nociceptin receptor (NOPR) and is entering Phase 2 clinical trials, leading a pipeline of small-molecule programs. Development is enabled by the company's INFORM™ platform, which links brain physiology to behavior using advanced functional imaging and objective assessment tools. The company says it will build a robust portfolio of first- and best-in-class treatments by leveraging advances in neuroscience and by segmenting patient subpopulations for more targeted trials. BlackThorn has assembled an experienced management team and a distinguished scientific advisory board drawn from top research institutions. Financially, the company closed a $40 million Series A financing to support its clinical and discovery efforts.

Total raised

$130M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Jun 2019