Epicrispr Biotechnologies and Infinimmune have closed separate fundraising rounds to support the development of their respective treatments for neuromuscular and inflammatory conditions, according to an Aug. 11 announcement.
Epicrispr secured $90 million in a series C round, which will be used to further its work on programmable epigenetic therapies targeting neuromuscular diseases. The company's lead asset, EPI-321, is undergoing first-in-human testing for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Enrollment for this study has been completed, with data expected later this year. EPI-321 is designed as a one-time therapy that uses an adeno-associated virus vector to target muscle tissue and suppress expression of the DUX4 gene, which drives FSHD. Early-stage trial findings released in June showed an average lean muscle volume increase of about 370 mL in three patients who received EPI-321. Epicrispr has also reported strength and functional improvements among these patients after treatment.
The series C round was co-led by Janus Henderson Investors and Octagon Capital, with participation from Sanofi Ventures, Angelini Ventures, and Cormorant Asset Management.
Infinimmune raised $75 million in a series A round that will support clinical development of two atopic dermatitis drugs. The company plans to begin first-in-human studies for these molecules next year. Its assets include anti-IL-22 therapy IFX-101 and IL-13–targeting IFX-201—both monoclonal antibodies discovered using the company’s Anthrobody technology that screens millions of memory B cells for potential therapeutic antibodies. Merck entered into a partnership with Infinimmune in March worth up to $838 million focused on multiple undisclosed targets using this approach.
With these fundraising rounds, Epicrispr and Infinimmune join other biopharma companies benefiting from what experts described as a selective recovery of venture capital investment in July. Robert Stanislaro, senior managing director at FTI Consulting, said, “This trend reflects a bigger picture. Capital hasn’t dried up, but it has become far more discerning about where it goes.”
