Keio Innovation Initiative (KII)
KII invests in PURMX Therapeutics, which develops innovative anti-cancer drugs using natural microRNA
Accelerate global clinical trials and new pipeline development for MIRX002 ……
Keio Innovation Initiative (KII) has invested in PURMX Therapeutics, which develops innovative anti-cancer drugs using natural microRNA. PURMX Therapeutics will raise a total of approximately 1.2 billion yen through this capital increase, and will proceed with global clinical trials of the micro RNA drug “MIRX002″, which is in the lead pipeline, as well as accelerate the development of a new pipeline.
Keio Innovation Initiative (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO Kotaro Yamagishi, hereinafter referred to as KII) is a fund managed by our company, PURMX Therapeutics Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Representative Director and President Hidetoshi Tahara, hereinafter referred to as PURMX) Therapeutics) through a third-party allotment of capital. With this capital increase through third-party allotment, PURMX Therapeutics’ total amount raised will be approximately 1.2 billion yen.
◆Promoting global clinical trials and new pipeline development for microRNA drug “MIRX002”
PURMX Therapeutics is a startup from Hiroshima University that aims to apply natural microRNA to medicine. The company is developing anti-cancer drugs using an innovative approach that turns on the “aging switch” and kills cancer cells by replenishing microRNAs that induce aging, and is currently in the lead pipeline. We are conducting a phase 1 clinical trial for the microRNA drug MIRX002 targeting malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Using the funds raised this time, we will proceed with global clinical trials of MIRX002 for malignant pleural mesothelioma and other cancer types, and expand our new pipeline by leveraging our unique screening platform to develop microRNA drug discovery. We aim to become a world-leading company in this field.
■Company overview
Company name: PURMX Therapeutics, Inc.
Location: 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture Representative: Hidetoshi Tahara, President and Representative Director Established: January 27, 2021
Business content: Research and development of microRNA drugs U R L: https://www.purmx.com/
[Image: https://prtimes.jp/i/18580/59/resize/d18580-59-5234f58a4db7f77b0bd9-0.jpg&s3=18580-59-d3d7726be3586dba1d8b29a89c240116-1199×296.jpg] ◆About Keio Innovation Initiative (KII)
KII was established in December 2015 primarily to support startups that utilize Keio University’s research results. In addition, from January 2020, with the mission of “until the research, the invention, and the innovation change society,” we will focus on making lead investments from the seed and early stages to develop society through digital technology. We have supported the social implementation of research and the resolution of social issues for all
academia-originated startups that work on innovation and solving problems in medicine and health.
In October 2023, we will establish the university VC’s first impact fund, “KII No. 3 Impact Fund,” aiming to “realize a society where all people can achieve a healthy and happy life (a society where everyone can be active throughout their lives).” At the same time, by making impact investments in academia startups, we aim to create positive and measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns.
-Overview of KII-
Trade name: Keio Innovation Initiative, Inc. Business content: Development of university-based technology venture companies, management of venture capital funds
Capital: 100 million yen (including capital reserve of 50 million yen) Representative: Representative Director and President Kotaro Yamagishi URL: https://www.keio-innovation.co.jp
The information contained in this release is current as of the date of announcement.
More details about this release:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000059.000018580.html