EpilepsyGTx announces a $10M seed round to treat focal refractory epilepsy
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EpilepsyGTx, a biotechnology company focused on research and development of cutting-edge gene therapies to treat focal refractory epilepsy, today announced it has raised a total of $10 million in seed funding. The financing was led by the UCL Technology Fund, with participation from Health Technology Holding.
The funds raised will be used to complete the preclinical studies for EpilepsyGTx’ lead gene therapy program EPY201, and to prepare a groundbreaking first-in-human, Phase 1/2a clinical study with EPY201 in focal refractory epilepsy.
“This funding is a clear vote of confidence from our investors in our vision, the world-class science of the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, and the transformative potential of EPY201 in focal refractory epilepsy. Our mission is to make patients with focal refractory epilepsy seizure-free,” said Nicolas Koebel, chief executive officer.
“EpilepsyGTx has an objectively world-leading pipeline of genetic therapies for a common and damaging neurological disorder with few treatment options, developed by a globally-renowned clinical, scientific and translational team at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology. We are enormously pleased to have Nicolas Koebel on board as CEO, with a track record of building exceptional global biotech companies from inception to commercial launch. We are excited that this industry-leading team now has the opportunity to translate medicines that have the potential to change the lives of patients with epilepsy and other CNS disorders.”
Simon Goldman, Partner at AlbionVC, UCL Technology Fund & EpilepsyGTx Board member
EpilepsyGTx is a spinout company set up with the support of UCL’s commercialisation company UCL Business Ltd (UCLB). Caitriona O’Rourke, UCLB’s Business Manager for EpilepsyGTx commented: “We have been delighted to support Nicolas and his team on their commercialisation journey, and it’s terrific to see them reach this major funding milestone. We are excited by the commercial potential of this technology and its possible contribution to improve the lives of people with focal refractory epilepsy.”
Michele Gaiotto, Managing Director at Health Technology Holding, stated, “We were highly impressed by the scientific strategy of the company and the credentials of the leadership team. The targeted, highly localized delivery of gene therapy is the right solution to treat focal refractory epilepsy, and is poised to make an enormous difference in the lives of millions of patients.”
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