Karuna Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on targeting muscarinic receptors to treat neuropsychiatric disorders, including psychosis in schizophrenia, psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease, and pain. Its lead candidate, KarXT (xanomeline plus trospium), is designed to preferentially stimulate M1/M4 receptors in the brain while limiting peripheral side effects and is being evaluated in a Phase 2 trial for acute psychosis in schizophrenia after two Phase 1 studies. Karuna holds U.S. Patent No. 10,238,643 covering the KarXT combination and has a worldwide exclusive license for xanomeline. The company completed an $80 million Series B financing (including a $12 million extension and the issuance of $5 million in shares upon conversion of debt into equity) to advance development of KarXT. Proceeds will be used to explore new indications including geriatric psychosis and pain, progress new KarXT formulations, expand the pipeline, and build company infrastructure. Karuna was founded by PureTech Health and is conducting ongoing and planned clinical work across multiple CNS disorders. Karuna is developing KarXT, a proprietary co‑formulation of xanomeline (a muscarinic agonist licensed from Eli Lilly) and trospium chloride (a peripherally restricted muscarinic antagonist) to selectively target M1/M4 receptors in the brain while blocking peripheral activation. The company has reported improved tolerability of KarXT versus xanomeline alone in a placebo‑controlled Phase 1 study, with a clinically meaningful reduction in pre‑specified cholinergic side effects. Karuna intends to initiate a Phase 2 trial in patients with schizophrenia in the third quarter of 2018 and to expand development into other therapeutic areas, including a non‑opiate pain indication. The company holds a worldwide exclusive license for xanomeline and a patent portfolio covering selective muscarinic targeting enabled by the KarXT approach. Karuna was founded by PureTech Health and is advancing multiple clinical programs as a clinical‑stage CNS drug developer. Karuna Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage drug development company focused on targeting muscarinic receptors to treat psychosis and cognitive symptoms across CNS disorders, including schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. Its lead candidate, KarXT, combines xanomeline (a muscarinic agonist) with trospium chloride (a peripherally acting muscarinic antagonist) to selectively activate M1/M4 receptors in the brain while blocking peripheral activation. KarXT demonstrated improved tolerability versus xanomeline in a placebo-controlled healthy volunteer study, and Karuna is completing a Phase 1 study using a proprietary co-formulation of xanomeline and trospium. The company holds a worldwide exclusive license for xanomeline and maintains a patent portfolio covering selective muscarinic targeting enabled by the KarXT approach. Karuna is an affiliate of PureTech Health plc. A Phase 2 acute psychosis trial in people with schizophrenia was expected to begin in the third quarter of 2018.

Total raised

$62M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Apr 2019