Rgenta's prime focus is on developing small molecules targeting the RNA regulation and splicing of disease-causing genes in oncology and neurological disorders that are 'undruggable' by traditional approaches
Fremont, CA: Rgenta Therapeutics, a biotechnology startup focusing on developing RNA-targeting medicines for historically undruggable disease-relevant targets has raised $20 Million in a seed investment round. The round was co-led by Matrix Partners China and Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund. Rounding out the series seed syndicate are two additional investors, Kaitai Capital and Legend Star Fund. Rgenta Therapeutics has aligned a team of veterans including small-molecule drug developers and an exceptional Scientific Advisory Board in the fields of genomics and RNA biology.
"We are delighted to have an outstanding syndicate of investors in this seed round," said Dr. Simon Xi, co-founder and CEO of Rgenta. "With their support, we will be able to rapidly advance our lead RNA-targeting programs into preclinical studies and expand our portfolio to pursue high-value RNA targets in a range of therapeutic areas."
"Rgenta's RNA-targeting platform delivers an innovative approach that gives us access to historically undruggable, highly disease-relevant targets," said Dr. Travis Wager, co-founder and CSO of Rgenta. "The key to our platform's success is that we can analyze massive amounts of genomics data and identify regulatory sites in RNAs amenable for potent and selective modulation by small molecules. Our unique discovery engine can rapidly screen for drug-like small molecules to target RNAs and thereby regulate protein production or alter protein function."
Rgenta's prime focus is on developing small molecules targeting the RNA regulation and splicing of disease-causing genes in oncology and neurological disorders that are 'undruggable' by traditional approaches. These target genes reside in the crux of regulatory programs and signaling pathways essential to disease development and represent ideal targets for pharmaceutical intervention.
Martin Heidecker, Head of the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture fund USA and chairman of the board of directors of Rgenta, commented, "We are very excited about Rgenta's novel and integrative platform for RNA-targeting. With the unique expertise and experiences of the Rgenta team in genomics, computation, disease biology, screening, and medicinal chemistry, we are confident that Rgenta will unlock the therapeutic potentials for a new class of targets and develop innovative therapies for patients."
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