Led by CEO Masoud Tavazoie, Inspirna focuses on discovery and development of novel cancer drugs targeting pathways in cancers of high unmet need. Its lead candidate, RGX-202-01, is an oral small molecule that targets the CKB/SLC6A8 pathway and is being tested in a Phase 1b trial in combination with FOLFIRI and bevacizumab for second-line treatment of advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. The company is also advancing RGX-104, an oral LXR/APOE activator that inhibits angiogenesis and tumor myeloid-derived suppressor cells; RGX-104 is in a Phase 1b/2 trial in APOE biomarker-enriched patients with advanced or metastatic lung or endometrial cancer. Inspirna intends to use proceeds from its financing to support the clinical development of RGX-202-01 and RGX-104. The company is clinical-stage and focused on progressing its pipeline through ongoing trials in oncology. Rgenix is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing first-in-class cancer drugs using a microRNA-based target discovery platform licensed from Rockefeller University. Its lead program, RGX-104, is a small-molecule immunotherapy that targets the Liver X Receptor (LXR) and activates the ApoE gene to modulate innate immunity. Phase 1a dose-escalation data for RGX-104 demonstrated immune-stimulatory and anti-tumor activity, and the company is enrolling patients in Phase 1b trials, including combinations with the checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab, across multiple cancer indications. RGX-202 is a small molecule that inhibits a novel cancer metabolism pathway; preclinical data show monotherapy and combination activity and Rgenix expected to launch a Phase 1 trial in 2018. The company also advances discovery-stage programs arising from its target discovery platform and will use financing to support its clinical and preclinical oncology programs and general corporate purposes. Rgenix is privately held and funded by leading biotech investors and is based in New York. Rgenix is focused on discovery and development of novel, first-in-class cancer drugs identified using a miRNA-based target discovery platform developed at The Rockefeller University. Its lead candidates are RGX-104 and RGX-202, with RGX-104 described as a small molecule that reverses immune evasion and drug resistance by targeting immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment. Preclinical models reportedly showed strong anti-tumor activity for RGX-104 both as a single agent and in combination with approved immunotherapies such as PD-1 inhibitors. The company says RGX-104 will be entering clinical trials this fall and that the new financing will support clinical development of the lead programs and further pipeline advancement. Rgenix highlights a leadership team and scientific founders from The Rockefeller University and is funded by leading biotechnology investors. The company is privately held and emphasizes its platform-driven approach to identifying multiple new cancer targets across prevalent cancer types.

Total raised

$123M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series D

Latest activity

Jul 2022