China’s Epigenic Therapeutics raises US$60M for epigenetic drug development

CHINA—China’s Epigenic Therapeutics has successfully completed a Series B funding round, raising approximately US$60 million to advance the clinical development of its epigenetic therapies.

The company is focusing on two main drug candidates: EPI-003, which aims to provide a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B, and EPI-001, which is designed to treat hypercholesterolemia.

This new funding will accelerate the progress of these drug programs, as well as support several other preclinical projects and enhance Epigenic’s technology platforms.

The funding round was led by Lapam Capital and included continued support from existing investors OrbiMed and Qiming Venture Partners.

Additionally, new investors joined the round, including IFSC and a specialized investment firm within the healthcare industry.

These new investments will enable Epigenic to advance its ambitious plans and solidify its position in the rapidly evolving field of epigenetic therapies.

Founded in 2021, Epigenic Therapeutics focuses on developing gene modulation therapies that regulate the epigenome to treat common and serious diseases.

The company’s leading technology platform, called EPIREG, works by silencing specific genes through DNA methylation and histone modification.

This approach offers a safer alternative for patients with chronic illnesses because it avoids the DNA cleavage typically associated with traditional gene-editing techniques.

Moreover, Epigenic has developed an innovative in vivo lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system named EpiTax.

This platform enables effective delivery of EPIREG tools not only to the liver but also to extrahepatic organs, broadening the potential applications of their therapies.

The combination of targeted gene silencing and advanced delivery methods positions Epigenic at the forefront of epigenetic drug development.

In addition to these technologies, the company employs the AIAID platform to enhance the molecular design and selection process for its epigenetic medicines.

The AIAID platform incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate drug discovery and refinement.

It includes a self-built foundational model for epigenetics, providing vital data and algorithmic support.

The platform also features a collaborative virtual lab that autonomously conducts a variety of tasks, ranging from target discovery to multi-omics analysis.

 Its AI-driven tools for de novo protein design and directed evolution are critical in quickly discovering and improving EPIREG candidates.

Epigenic is building a robust pipeline of product candidates aimed at a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, viral hepatitis, autoimmune disorders, and eye diseases.

With the newly secured funds, the company is well-positioned to advance its therapies through clinical development stages and bring transformative treatments to patients worldwide.

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