Funding of $372.5 Million Secured in Series D for Advancement of Therapeutics Targeting the Central Nervous System
MapLight Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on neuropsychiatric disorders, has announced a significant funding round of $372.5 million in Series D financing. The financing was co-led by Forbion and Goldman Sachs Alternatives, with participation from Sanofi, T. Rowe Price, Avego BioScience, Novo Holdings, 5AM Ventures, Blue Owl, and existing investors [1][2].
This substantial investment will primarily be used to advance MapLight’s lead program, ML-007C-MA, through ongoing phase 2 trials targeting schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease psychosis. The funds will also support the company in expanding and exploring other potential indications for this candidate and its pipeline programs [1][2].
The lead candidate, ML-007C-MA, is an oral combination of M1/M4 muscarinic agonist ML-007 with a peripherally acting anticholinergic. Goldman Sachs Alternatives sees significant opportunity in ML-007C-MA as a potential best-in-class M1/M4 muscarinic agonist and believes it is well positioned to address the substantial unmet medical need in schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease psychosis, and other CNS indications [3].
The financing round also includes the addition of Nanna Lüneborg, Ph.D., M.B.A., of Forbion, as a new member on the Board. Christopher Kroeger, M.D., M.B.A., Chief Executive Officer and Founder of MapLight, is partnering with the investor syndicate to drive new innovations in the CNS space [4].
Josh Richardson, M.D., Managing Director, Life Sciences at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, is part of the investor syndicate. He expressed optimism about the potential of ML-007C-MA, stating that it has the potential to be a game-changer in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders [3].
The financing is a validation of MapLight's differentiated product pipeline, dedicated team, and commitment to advancing new medicines for brain disorders. With this investment, MapLight Therapeutics is positioned to make progress towards clinical milestones for ML-007C-MA and develop their broader drug pipeline [5].
References: [1] MapLight Therapeutics Press Release. (2023). MapLight Therapeutics Secures $372.5 Million in Series D Financing to Advance Lead Program and Expand Pipeline. [Online]. Available: https://www.maplighttherapeutics.com/news/maplight-therapeutics-secures-372-5-million-in-series-d-financing-to-advance-lead-program-and-expand-pipeline [2] BioSpace. (2023). MapLight Therapeutics Raises $372.5 Million in Series D Financing. [Online]. Available: https://www.biospace.com/article/maplight-therapeutics-raises-372-5-million-in-series-d-financing/ [3] Fierce Biotech. (2023). MapLight Therapeutics raises $372.5M to advance its lead program for schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease psychosis. [Online]. Available: https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/maplight-therapeutics-raises-372-5m-to-advance-its-lead-program-for-schizophrenia-and-alzhe [4] Endpoints News. (2023). MapLight Therapeutics adds Forbion’s Nanna Luneberg to its board with Series D financing. [Online]. Available: https://endpts.com/maplight-therapeutics-adds-forbions-nanna-luneberg-to-its-board-with-series-d-financing/ [5] Pharmaceutical Technology. (2023). MapLight Therapeutics raises $372.5 million in Series D financing to advance pipeline. [Online]. Available: https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/maplight-therapeutics-series-d-financing-pipeline/
- The funding from Goldman Sachs Alternatives and other investors will be utilized to support MapLight Therapeutics in developing and exploring the potential of ML-007C-MA, an oral combination targeting neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease psychosis, as well as other CNS indications, thereby advancing the field of mental-health therapies-and-treatments.
- The substantial investment in MapLight Therapeutics is not only a validation of their differentiated product pipeline and commitment to brain disorders but also a potential game-changer in the health-and-wellness sector, as successful development of ML-007C-MA could significantly impact the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders by offering a best-in-class M1/M4 muscarinic agonist.
