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Vinci Pharmaceuticals Secures Funding to Advance EPIPLANT™

Vinci Pharmaceuticals Inc., based in Avon-By-The-Sea, New Jersey, has successfully closed an $8 million Series A financing round aimed at advancing the development of its innovative EPIPLANT™ drug delivery platform. This new infusion of capital brings the company’s total funding to over $16.5 million, combining this funding round with an earlier $8.5 million raised during the Seed Stage.

Developed with expertise from Karl Csaky, MD, PhD, and licensed from the Retina Foundation of the Southwest located in Dallas, Texas, EPIPLANT™ operates as a proprietary episcleral implant platform. It is designed specifically for sustained drug delivery directly to retinal tissues, a solution to the limitations that existing intraocular injection methods present.

The financing round was spearheaded by Dynagrow Capital, LLLP, with additional support from MintPharma Capital. The funds are earmarked to bolster various aspects of the EPIPLANT™ project, such as GMP manufacturing, testing, and release activities for the EPIPLANT™ VCI-002 product, which is on track for its Phase 1/2a clinical study slated for 2027.

Philip A. Gioia, Co-founder and CEO of Vinci Pharmaceuticals, expressed gratitude towards investors, highlighting their trust in the transformative potential of the EPIPLANT™ system in treating sight-threatening diseases. He stated, "This financing is crucial as we prepare for our first human trials, and we are optimistic about EPIPLANT™’s role in providing safe, sustained drug delivery and alleviating treatment burdens for patients and doctors alike."

Adding to this sentiment, Sarah Hassan, Managing Director at Dynagrow Capital, noted that Vinci’s EPIPLANT could significantly change treatment paradigms for eye doctors and their patients dealing with retinal diseases. The needle-free delivery system for small molecules could significantly enhance patient adherence, particularly for those facing high dropout rates due to complex treatment regimens.

The EPIPLANT™ platform is designed to address the challenges associated with conventional drug delivery methods that require direct eye administration. Its bioerodible technology allows for a range of active pharmaceutical ingredients, aiming to support various therapies targeting retinal diseases.

Richard Lindstrom, MD, from Minnesota Eye Consultants stated, “EPIPLANT™ is poised to deliver targeted drug levels to the macula, which presents a more attractive option for treating certain ophthalmic diseases compared to current intravitreal injection methods.” This technology also opens possibilities for novel therapies for currently untreated retinal indications.

As Vinci Pharmaceuticals gears up for the Phase 1/2a trial, the EPIPLANT™ delivery system is positioned to offer significant advantages against a backdrop of existing challenges in retinal disease therapies. The potential for broad application across multiple retinal diseases marks a significant advancement in the field of ophthalmic treatments.

Vinci Pharmaceuticals, committed to harnessing its unique proprietary platform, looks ahead to transforming the landscape of retinal disease management with its innovative solutions and differentiated product profiles.