iPierian is a biotechnology company developing monoclonal antibody therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, focused on Tau-targeted drugs using its proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) platform. Its lead program, IPN007, is a humanized antibody targeting a novel secreted form of Tau intended to slow Tau spread in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. The company plans to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for IPN007 with the U.S. FDA in 2014 and will use new financing to accelerate that clinical development. iPierian spun out a second company, True North Therapeutics, which will focus on Complement-pathway monoclonal antibodies for autoantibody-driven rare diseases. True North’s lead candidate, TNT009, is a first-in-class antibody that has completed preclinical studies and is being advanced toward clinical trials. Nancy Stagliano will serve as CEO of both companies and both are located in South San Francisco, California. iPierian focuses on the industrialization of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology and directed differentiation of patient cells to discover and develop new therapeutics. The company’s initial therapeutic focus is on neurodegenerative diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease, and it also intends to pursue partnering opportunities in metabolic disease. iPierian completed a second closing of its Series B equity financing, bringing the total raised in this round to $28M. The transaction added new investors and expanded an existing syndicate that had already committed to the round. In conjunction with the closing, Rajeev Dadoo, Ph.D., a partner at SR One, will participate as an observer on iPierian’s board of directors. The company is based in South San Francisco, CA. iPierian develops drug discovery programs using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), with an initial focus on neurodegenerative diseases including SMA, ALS and Parkinson’s disease. The company also maintains a broader therapeutic-area program intended for partnering in metabolic disease. The recent financing is intended to advance its programs into the clinic and to secure pharmaceutical partnerships. iPierian is based in South San Francisco, California. Since its founding in 2007, the company has raised a total of $54M in equity capital. Leadership changes accompanying the round include Krishna Yeshwant of Google Ventures joining the board and Michael C. Venuti becoming CEO and a board member.

Total raised

$80M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Sep 2013