The Venture Codex

Participated · Series B · Jan 2017

SiteOne Therapeutics develops highly selective small-molecule inhibitors of voltage-gated ion channels, including NaV1.7 and NaV1.8, to treat sensory hyperexcitability disorders such as chronic pain, chronic cough, and ocular surface pain. The company's lead program targets the NaV1.8 channel in the peripheral nervous system, aiming to provide analgesia with a reduced side-effect profile and lower abuse risk than centrally acting therapies. SiteOne's pipeline emphasizes isoform-selective sodium channel inhibitors and other genetically and clinically validated targets for peripheral sensory neurons. The company positions its approach as a non-opioid alternative focused on peripheral rather than central nervous system targets. SiteOne plans to advance its small-molecule candidates into human clinical proof-of-concept studies. The announced $100 million Series C financing will support those clinical development efforts. SiteOne Therapeutics develops novel pain therapeutics and diagnostics intended to treat acute and chronic pain without the limitations of existing therapies such as NSAIDs or opioids. Its therapeutic candidates are highly selective sodium ion channel 1.7 (Naᵥ1.7) inhibitors derived from naturally occurring small molecules. The company was founded with technology licensed from Stanford University and is led by President and CEO Stan Abel. SiteOne is advancing multiple Naᵥ1.7 candidates toward clinical applications across acute and chronic pain indications. The company intends to use recent financing to accelerate development of these candidates. The article does not disclose revenues, users, or other operating metrics. SiteOne Therapeutics is a San Francisco startup developing sodium channel inhibitors and diagnostics aimed at non-opioid treatments for moderate to severe pain. The company’s lead program targets the Nav1.7 sodium ion channel, a target the company notes is validated by human genetic conditions. SiteOne licenses its technology from Stanford University and says the lead compound was originally discovered in the ocean. The compound also has potential use as a long-acting local analgesic and as a diagnostic PET imaging agent. Financially, SiteOne completed an initial $1.5M equity round and secured a $1.4M Phase II SBIR grant from the NIH. The early equity round was led by Sears Capital Management and Biobrit LLC.