Phlox Therapeutics Secures New Funding to Advance RNA Therapies for Genetic Cardiomyopathies
· Phlox Therapeutics raises 1.9M funding to develop RNA therapies for genetic laminopathies
· The investor syndicate includes ROM Utrecht Region, FIRST Fund, Amsterdam-UMC Ventures and UHSF
· Funds support preclinical development of Phox’s lead program
Naarden, The Netherlands, 6 November 2024 – Phlox Therapeutics, a private biotechnology company focused on developing innovative RNA-based therapies for cardiomyopathies, has successfully raised new funding to accelerate its lead program on genetic laminopathies. This round of funding adds ROM Utrecht Region to the existing syndicate of FIRST fund (managed by BGV), Amsterdam UMC Venture Holding, and Utrecht Health Seed Fund (UHSF). In addition, non-dilutive funding through Dutch Research Council (NWO) and a public-private partnership with the Hubrecht Institute – supported by Health~Holland -further bolsters Phlox’s financial resources.
Phlox is leveraging its innovative RNA technology to target multiple gene mutations that cause cardiomyopathies, further establishing itself as a key player in developing next-generation RNA therapies. Adinda Woelderink, Investment Manager at ROM Utrecht Region, commented on the investment: “We are excited to support Phlox Therapeutics in its groundbreaking work developing RNA therapies for cardiomyopathies. Their approach to addressing currently untreatable genetic laminopathies holds great promise, and we believe this funding will play a critical role in driving their lead program further into preclinical development.”
“The Phlox’s team is delighted to have the support of this syndicate of investors,” Prof. Eva van Rooij, Phlox’s CSO, added. “The public-private partnership with the Hubrecht Institute, combined with the additional support from Health~Holland, allows us to accelerate our preclinical work and simultaneously deepen our scientific understanding of cardio-myopathies. We are eager to move closer to clinical applications that could benefit patients with these life-threatening conditions.”
With the combined investment and non-dilutive funding, Phlox is set to further its development pipeline and continue pioneering RNA therapies that target the root causes of genetic heart diseases.
Contact Phlox Therapeutics
Margien Boels, COO
E: margien.boels@phloxtherapeutics.com
About Phlox Therapeutics
Phlox Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that develops first-in-class RNA therapies for rare genetic cardiomyopathies. Phlox’s lead program targets laminopathies, a severe inherited form of heart failure caused by mutations in the lamin gene. Phlox is dedicated to advancing RNA-based solutions to treat a variety of cardiomyopathies, with the goal of improving patient outcomes for those affected by genetic heart diseases. Learn more at www.linkedin.com/company/phloxtherapeutics or www.phloxtherapeutics.com
About ROM Utrecht Region
ROM Utrecht Region is a regional investor that increases access to capital for innovative companies in the region. ROM invests in the major transition sectors that are important for tomorrow’s economy: Life Sciences & Health, Sustainability and New Digital Society. The Startup Innovation Fund (SIF) is partly commissioned by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). SIF invests in companies developing highly innovative technologies who also have the ambition to become scalable businesses and to grow. To enable funding for these companies, SIF co-invests with (private) investors. For more information, please visit: www.romutrechtregion.nl
About Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding
Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding is an early-stage investor in academic spin-off companies from the Amsterdam University Medical Center (A-UMC). Ventures Holding works closely with academics and entrepreneurs at the earliest stage of company formation to support the commercialization of knowledge. For more information please visit: www.amcventuresholding.nl.
About Utrecht Health Seed Fund
Utrecht Health Seed Fund (UHSF) is an early-stage life sciences & health investment fund based out of Utrecht, The Netherlands, focused on scalable technologies in the field of Life Sciences (therapeutics and diagnostics), Medical Devices, Digital Health, and Animal Health, in the earliest stages of development. UHSF is established by Utrecht Holdings with the assistance and support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), UMC Utrecht, and the University of Utrecht. For more information, please visit www.uhsf.nl.
About Fonds InvesteringsRijpe Starters FIRST
Fonds InvesteringsRijpe STarters (FIRST) is a pre-seed fund that finances pioneering scientists in The Netherlands active in the emerging fields of regenerative medicine and cardiovascular diseases. FIRST is founded by the Dutch CardioVascular Alliance (DCVA) and Regenerative Medicine Crossing Borders (RegMed XB) with support of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. BioGeneration Ventures (BGV) supports the FIRST fund as a registered fund manager, making available its network, expertise, and facilities. For more information, please visit: www.biogenerationventures.com/en/about_us/first.