Trending...
- Governor Newsom honors fallen California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano
- Governor Newsom marks historic expansion of California's Film and Television Tax Credit Program, announces 16 new projects to film in the Golden State
- California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 7.2.25
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for the potential treatment of a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders, today announced the closing of a $120 million Series C financing.
The financing was co-led by NEA, Abingworth, and Forge Life Science Partners with participation from other new investors Avego, PFM Health Sciences, and The Eleven Fund, as well as the company's existing investors The Column Group, 5AM Ventures, Redmile Group, Cowen Healthcare Investments, Sanofi Ventures, Osage University Partners (OUP), and Altitude Life Science Ventures.
Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance the company's pipeline of two first-in-class product candidates in several indications. This includes clinical proof-of-concept studies for EP262 (MRGPRX2 antagonist) in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), chronic inducible urticaria (CindU) and atopic dermatitis (AD) and for EP547 (MRGPRX4 antagonist) in cholestatic pruritus.
More on The Californer
Escient's initial focus is on a novel class of cell surface receptors called Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors, or MRGPRs. MRGPRs are chemosensory receptors expressed on sensory neurons and immune cells, which reside in close proximity to one another in key barrier tissues such as the skin, airways and gastrointestinal tract. MRGPRs mediate the neuro-immune overactivation that is a hallmark of numerous chronic disorders, including many allergic, inflammatory, auto-immune, pain and pruritic diseases.
"By specifically blocking the activation of MRGPRX2 and MRGPRX4 with small molecule antagonists, we aim to develop effective oral medications with novel mechanisms of action for serious neurosensory-inflammatory diseases without the serious side effects observed with other approaches," said Joshua Grass, Chief Executive Officer of Escient Pharmaceuticals. "We are thrilled with the support from both existing and new investors, and this significant financing puts us in a great position to advance our pipeline to clinical proof-of-concept in multiple indications."
More on The Californer
About Escient Pharmaceuticals
Escient Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage company focused on developing novel therapeutics to address a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders. The company's pipeline includes two first-in-class small molecule antagonists targeting MRGPRX2 for the treatment of various mast cell mediated disorders and MRGPRX4 for cholestatic pruritus. Based in San Diego, California, Escient is led by an experienced management and scientific team and funded by top-tier life science investors.
Visit www.escientpharma.com to learn more.
Contacts
Aaron Mishel
Chief Financial Officer
Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
info@escientpharma.com
The financing was co-led by NEA, Abingworth, and Forge Life Science Partners with participation from other new investors Avego, PFM Health Sciences, and The Eleven Fund, as well as the company's existing investors The Column Group, 5AM Ventures, Redmile Group, Cowen Healthcare Investments, Sanofi Ventures, Osage University Partners (OUP), and Altitude Life Science Ventures.
Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance the company's pipeline of two first-in-class product candidates in several indications. This includes clinical proof-of-concept studies for EP262 (MRGPRX2 antagonist) in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), chronic inducible urticaria (CindU) and atopic dermatitis (AD) and for EP547 (MRGPRX4 antagonist) in cholestatic pruritus.
More on The Californer
- California: Governor Newsom announces deployment of urban search and rescue task force teams to Texas
- Long Beach Youth Invited to Apply for the City's Youth Advisory Council
- Utah Metal Fabricator Titan Forge Builds Momentum with Custom Steel Projects and Spiral Staircases
- Jason Koch: Pioneering the Future of Real Estate Development in New Jersey
- Amid Trump's assault on public lands, California conserves over one million acres of land and coastal waters in just one year
Escient's initial focus is on a novel class of cell surface receptors called Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors, or MRGPRs. MRGPRs are chemosensory receptors expressed on sensory neurons and immune cells, which reside in close proximity to one another in key barrier tissues such as the skin, airways and gastrointestinal tract. MRGPRs mediate the neuro-immune overactivation that is a hallmark of numerous chronic disorders, including many allergic, inflammatory, auto-immune, pain and pruritic diseases.
"By specifically blocking the activation of MRGPRX2 and MRGPRX4 with small molecule antagonists, we aim to develop effective oral medications with novel mechanisms of action for serious neurosensory-inflammatory diseases without the serious side effects observed with other approaches," said Joshua Grass, Chief Executive Officer of Escient Pharmaceuticals. "We are thrilled with the support from both existing and new investors, and this significant financing puts us in a great position to advance our pipeline to clinical proof-of-concept in multiple indications."
More on The Californer
- California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 7.7.25
- City of Long Beach to Upgrade Its Internet Infrastructure to Enhance City Network Reliability and Performance
- Groflex Named One of the Top 100 Manufacturing Startups in San Francisco by F6S
- BofA Directs Additional $1 Million to Los Angeles Nonprofits for Evolving Fire Recovery Needs
- Introducing LK Blue: The Cool-Girl Denim Brand That's Redefining LA Style Launches E-Commerce
About Escient Pharmaceuticals
Escient Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage company focused on developing novel therapeutics to address a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders. The company's pipeline includes two first-in-class small molecule antagonists targeting MRGPRX2 for the treatment of various mast cell mediated disorders and MRGPRX4 for cholestatic pruritus. Based in San Diego, California, Escient is led by an experienced management and scientific team and funded by top-tier life science investors.
Visit www.escientpharma.com to learn more.
Contacts
Aaron Mishel
Chief Financial Officer
Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
info@escientpharma.com
Filed Under: Business
0 Comments
Latest on The Californer
- Swim Up Hill Games Launches Beta Version of Runner-Style Swim Game to Advance Global Water Safety
- Swim Up Hill, California Science Center Launch First Virtual Swim Experience in LA84-Funded Exhibit
- California: TOMORROW: Governor Newsom to join federal, state, and local leaders to recognize six-month anniversary of Los Angeles firestorms
- Skool Alternatives Reddit: Skool vs Circle vs Whop - Did you join one yet?
- Southern Soul Artist Moe Z Releases New Single 'Set It Out' Distributed by Morris Day Entertainment
- SacraPod Suites Unveils AI-Powered 'Work + Rest' Smart Hospitality Model for Retrofitting Underused Motels Across the U.S
- Green Jacket Gateway" System: Your Definitive Path to Golfing Greatness
- From Real Estate to Reel Power: H.L Woods Carves His Legacy as a Cutting-Edge Visionary Filmmaker
- Luxury Auto Detailing Brings High-End Mobile Car Care to Cherry Valley and Surrounding Areas
- Transgender Visual Artist Debuts New Work
- Stay Cool All Day With BGMgirl Drawstring Half Wigs
- California: Governor Newsom proclaims Independence Day 2025
- Gundam GQuuuuuuX Takes Center Stage at Anime Expo 2025
- John Duffy Competes in Mr Muscle Beach
- New Release: 'The Invisible Alternative' Unveiled by Atrisk Corporation, Resilient
- Thorn & Bloom Magazine Unveils Groundbreaking Second Edition: "Breaking the Cycle"
- Cheap O SMS Launches Groundbreaking Free SMS API Service
- California: Governor Newsom signs legislation 7.3.25
- Fireworks, fun, and safety: California preps for the holiday weekend
- BillBoards Inc. Hits the Road with God Bless America Tour and Reality Series Now Streaming on Tubi TV