6. Areteia Therapeutics: $350 million (Biopharma)
Areteiatx said dexpramipexole inhibits the maturation of eosinophils (the blood cell pictured in red) early enough to prevent them from traveling through the blood to the lung. [Illustration courtesy of Areteiatx]
The Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based company is developing what could be the first oral therapy for eosinophilic asthma with dexpramipexole, an eosinophil maturation inhibitor. Areteia said it planned to spend its $350 million Series A funding round to move the drug through Phase 3 clinical trials, secure commercial supply and pursue potential next-generation medicines.
The funding round was led by Bain Capital Life Sciences and included investments from Access Biotechnology, Alphabet’s GV (Google Ventures), ARCH Venture Partners, Saturn Partners, Sanofi, Maverick Capital and Population Health Partners.
Areteia’s first CEO is Jorge Bartolome, formerly Canadian president for Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
