HepaRegeniX GmbH secures Series B Financing in excess of €11 Mio. to advance first drug candidate to the clinic

Preclinical data demonstrate efficacy of MKK4 inhibitors in liver regeneration and experimental acute and chronic liver disease models.

HepaRegeniX GmbH, a preclinical stage company developing a novel therapy for the treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases today announced the closing of its Series B financing round in excess of €11 Mio. with contribution from all its existing investors namely Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund GmbH (BIVF), Novo Holdings A/S, the High-Tech Gründerfonds, Coparion and Ascenion.

The proceeds will be used to advance the first MKK4 inhibitor for treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases to the clinics later in 2020. MKK4 (Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) Kinase 4) is a key regulator of liver regeneration and suppression of MKK4 unlocks the regenerative capacity of hepatocytes even in severely diseased livers. Over the last 2,5 years, HepaRegeniX focused on discovery of new and proprietary MKK4 inhibitors which led to the identification of several preclinical drug candidates. Results from experimental, clinically relevant disease models further validated the concept that MKK4-inhibition improves the regeneration capacity of hepatocytes in affected organs and provided strong evidence for successful clinical development.

“This is an exciting phase for HepaRegeniX to soon advance our first compound into the clinic based on compelling preclinical data for our proprietary MKK4 inhibitor” commented Dr. Michael Lutz, CEO of HepaRegeniX. “In this regard, we are very proud to have been able to secure this Series B financing round from our current investor base within a very short time period”.

Prof. Dr. Johannes Zanzinger from BIVF, concluded on behalf of all investors,

“HepaRegeniX with its unique therapeutic concept around acute and chronic liver diseases represents a company with significant potential. This Series B round together with the recent appointment of Michael Lutz as CEO will substantially help to clinically validate the underlying concept and deliver novel and proprietary orally available small molecule kinase inhibitors with significant potential in the field of liver regeneration”.

About HepaRegeniX GmbH
Since its inception in 2017, HepaRegeniX has successfully discovered and developed several preclinical drug candidates for the treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases based on a novel proprietary molecular target Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) Kinase 4. MKK4 is a key regulator of liver regeneration and suppression of MKK4 unlocks the regenerative capacity of hepatocytes even in severely diseased livers. This new and unique therapeutic concept for the treatment of liver diseases was discovered by Prof. Lars Zender and his research group at the University Hospital Tubingen, Germany. Investors in HepaRegeniX include the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF), Novo Holdings A/S, Coparion, High-Tech Gründerfonds and Ascenion GmbH.

For further information please contact
HepaRegeniX GmbH
Dr Michael Lutz
Chief Executive Officer
+49 7071 639 6731
m.lutz@heparegenix.com

About High-Tech Gründerfonds
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven startups. With EUR 895.5 million in total investment volume across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge more than 570 startups since 2005. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and startup experts help guide the development of young companies. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech startups in a range of sectors, including software, media, internet, hardware, automation, health care, chemistry and life sciences.

To date, external investors have injected over EUR 2.4 billion into the HTGF portfolio via more than 1,500 follow-on financing rounds. HTGF has also successfully sold interests in more than 100 companies. Investors in this public-private partnership include the Federal Ministry For Economic Affairs and Energy, the KfW Capital, and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft e.V., as well as the companies ALTANA, BASF, BAYER, B.Braun, Boehringer Ingelheim, Robert Bosch, BÜFA, CEWE, Deutsche Post DHL, Dräger, Drillisch AG, EVONIK, EWE AG, FOND OF, Haniel, Hettich, Knauf, Körber, LANXESS, media + more venture Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, PHOENIX CONTACT, Postbank, QIAGEN, RWE Generation SE, SAP, Schufa, Schwarz Gruppe, STIHL, Thüga, Vector Informatik, WACKER and Wilh. Werhahn KG.
For more information, click here www.htgf.de/en

Contact
High-Tech Gründerfonds
Dr. Frank Hensel
Schlegelstraße 2
53113 Bonn
P.: +49 228 823 00 – 142
f.hensel@htgf.de
www.htgf.de