#Sweden #Stockholm #EQT Life Sciences #Vaderis Therapeutics #engasertib

EQT Life Sciences Makes Significant Investment in Vaderis Therapeutics

EQT Life Sciences has announced a substantial investment of $17.5 million in Vaderis Therapeutics, contributing to the Swiss biotechnology company’s impressive $152 million Series B financing round. This capital infusion is set to bolster the development of engasertib, a pioneering treatment for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a rare genetic vascular condition that currently lacks approved therapies.

HHT is characterized by recurrent nosebleeds, chronic anemia, and severe vascular abnormalities. With an incidence rate of approximately 1 in 3,800, many individuals suffer life-long challenges stemming from this complex disease. Vaderis’s lead program, engasertib, has shown promising results in clinical trials, demonstrating significant improvements in patients' conditions, which were highlighted in a publication by The New England Journal of Medicine. This reinforces the potential of engasertib to address the unmet medical needs of those afflicted with HHT.

The Series B financing was co-led by EQT alongside partnerships with Goldman Sachs Alternatives, TCGX, and other notable investors, including Omega Funds, Perceptive Advisors, Kalehua Capital, and existing backers such as Medicxi and Droia. The funds will support the company through regulatory approval processes for engasertib and the initiation of the global Phase 3 clinical trial, dubbed HEROIC.

EQT Life Sciences brings years of experience in assisting biotechnology firms at pivotal stages of product development. Christoph Broja, a partner at EQT, expressed his enthusiasm for the investment, stating, "HHT is a serious, lifelong disease without approved treatment options worldwide, and we believe engasertib has the potential to change the lives of many patients."

Azmi Nabulsi, the CEO of Vaderis Therapeutics, described the occasion as a significant milestone for HHT patients and emphasized the importance of the investment and the initiation of HEROIC. He stated, "This is an exciting new chapter, and we are immensely grateful to our investors for their confidence and support that have brought us to this important point."

As both parties advance in their collaboration, EQT Life Sciences is committed to guiding Vaderis Therapeutics as it navigates the challenges of Phase 3 development and strives for a solution to a deeply felt need within the patient community. Engasertib is not just a drug; it represents hope for those who have long awaited a dedicated treatment for HHT.

The future looks promising as the partnership gears up to tackle the logistics of trial implementation and regulatory compliance. With dedicated efforts from both EQT Life Sciences and Vaderis Therapeutics, the goal remains to potentially bring forward a new era in aftercare for HHT patients worldwide. This marks a critical juncture in the fight against rare genetic diseases, paving the way for innovative and necessary therapeutic options.