GPCR-targeted Escient Pharma launches with $40 million financing

San Diego, USA-based Escient Pharmaceuticals launched yesterday with the completion of a $40 million Series A financing to advance first-in-class G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs to address serious, unserved medical needs across a broad range of therapeutic indications.

Focused on unleashing the therapeutic potential of specific orphan GPCRs, including the novel family of Mas-related G-protein receptors (Mrgprs), Escient will initially pursue therapies for neuro-immuno-inflammatory and autoreactive diseases. The company will use proceeds from the Series A financing, syndicated by The Column Group and 5AM Ventures, and joined by Osage University Partners, to build out its team, advance its pipeline, and progress its initial preclinical programs to clinical study.

Escient’s co-founders and executive leadership include Alain Baron, chief executive, and Marcus Boehm, chief scientific officer. Drs Baron and Boehm bring deep expertise in GPCR drug discovery and development, respectively, each co-founding and serving in key leadership roles with companies including Elcelyx Therapeutics (founded by Dr Baron), Receptos (co-founded by Dr Boehm and sold to Celgene in 2015 for $7.2 billion), and Amylin Pharmaceuticals.