Imbria Pharmaceuticals has expanded its Series B financing with the addition of new investor AXA IM Alts, strengthening the company’s efforts to advance its lead therapeutic candidate, ninerafaxstat, for the treatment of serious cardiovascular diseases. The expanded round brings AXA IM Alts into an investor group that includes RA Capital, SV Health Investors, Deep Track Capital, AN Ventures, Catalio Capital Management, and Cytokinetics.
Based in Boston, Imbria is developing ninerafaxstat as a first-in-class, energetics-targeting treatment designed to improve cardiac function in patients suffering from conditions that currently have limited therapeutic options. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading global cause of death, responsible for more than 20 million deaths annually and contributing heavily to long-term health and economic burdens worldwide. Imbria plans to use the Series B extension to support ongoing clinical programs, including the global FORTITUDE-HCM Phase 2b trial, which is studying symptomatic non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
As part of the financing, AXA IM Alts executive Zina Affas Besse has joined Imbria’s Board of Directors. With more than 25 years of experience across healthcare venture capital and operational leadership, she brings a background that includes roles at Atlas Venture, Orion Healthcare Equity Partners, and AXA IM Alts. Imbria has also added AN Ventures Managing Partner Ken Horne to its board. Horne brings over two decades of experience as an investor and operator in life sciences companies.
The expanded board representation is expected to support the company’s next stage of clinical and strategic progress as ninerafaxstat advances toward generating additional global data.
KEY QUOTES
“The tremendous burden of cardiovascular disease demands bold innovation now. The extension of our Series B financing reflects strong investor confidence in Imbria’s scientific foundation, clinical execution, and the potential of ninerafaxstat to address the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. We look forward to working with AXA IM Alts, a leader in global health investing committed to deploying capital toward solutions that address some of the world’s most urgent health challenges.”
Alvin Shih, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Imbria Pharmaceuticals
“Imbria’s potential to reshape the treatment of cardiovascular diseases globally is both timely and transformative. At AXA IM Alts, we are committed to supporting innovations that deliver worldwide impact, and look forward to working with Imbria as they advance ninerafaxstat toward improving outcomes for patients who face limited options today.”
Zina Affas Besse, PhD, Partner and Deputy Head of Healthcare Private Equity, AXA IM Alts
“Cardiovascular disease is one of the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time, and innovation in this space has lagged far behind need. AN Ventures is proud to partner with Imbria to fundamentally reshape the treatment landscape for patients and families who live with cardiovascular disorders.”
Ken Horne, Managing Partner, AN Ventures
