Blackstone Life Sciences announced a $250 million investment in Anagram Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing oral enzyme replacement therapies for people with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency associated with cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, and related disorders.
The investment is intended to support the continued development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of Anagram’s lead product candidate ANG003, a recombinant orally delivered enzyme replacement therapy. The company said ANG003 demonstrated positive clinical data in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis.
Anagram said current treatment options for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency often require patients to take up to 40 pills per day. The company expects ANG003 to require only one tablet per meal, potentially reducing treatment burden and improving patient compliance and quality of life.
The company also noted that ANG003 has the potential to become the first non-porcine enzyme replacement therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Existing pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies are typically derived from pig pancreas glands and continue to face global supply shortages.
Blackstone Life Sciences said its investment follows more than $30 million in prior funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which supported clinical and development activities for ANG003.
Anagram is initiating an international Phase 2 study for ANG003 following positive earlier-stage clinical data in patients with cystic fibrosis-related exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
The company said ANG003 is engineered to remain stable and immediately active in the gastrointestinal tract to improve digestion and nutrient absorption. The therapy contains lipase, protease, and amylase enzymes designed to address fat, protein, and carbohydrate malabsorption.
Blackstone Life Sciences manages approximately $17 billion in assets under management and focuses on investments across the life sciences sector.
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“We believe Anagram is well positioned to transform the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency, especially in patients of all ages who suffer from cystic fibrosis. This is an excellent case study of our ownership strategy where we bring scale capital, deep domain expertise, and hands-on engagement to help address large unmet medical needs.”
Nicholas Galakatos, Global Head, Blackstone Life Sciences
“We would like to thank the Blackstone Life Sciences team for their support and expertise as we accelerate the development of ANG003 and other orally delivered enzymes for people living with rare diseases. We believe the clinical data generated from the ANG003-22-101 study in patients with EPI due to CF is compelling and has the potential to be a transformational treatment for people living with EPI. We are excited to be working with the entire Blackstone Life Sciences team and would also like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to the CF Foundation and its President and CEO Dr. Michael Boyle for their continued support from the initial stages to advance ANG003, a much-needed treatment option for people with CF and others living with EPI.”
Robert Gallotto, President And CEO, Anagram Therapeutics
“The large unmet need in EPI is clear as gastrointestinal symptoms and global supply issues for existing porcine derived products continue to be a real problem. Patients today also face an enormous, disruptive pill burden, taking up to 40 pills a day to treat their EPI. We expect ANG003 to only require one tablet per meal which we believe will positively impact compliance and quality of life. ANG003 represents a meaningful advancement for the many patients affected by this condition, offering the potential to significantly reduce treatment burden while improving clinical outcomes. We are excited to work with the CF patient and clinical community.”
Kiran Reddy, Senior Managing Director, Blackstone Life Sciences
