Key points from article :
Biotech company Bitterroot Bio has raised a record $145 million in a Series A funding round, aimed at developing innovative cardiovascular disease treatments.
The investment round was led by ARCH Venture Partners and Deerfield Management, with participation from Google Ventures and Koch Disruptive Technologies, among others.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality globally, killing nearly 18 million people each year, yet innovation in the field has been relatively slow compared to other areas like oncology.
Bitterroot Bio intends to develop transformative therapies using insights from immunology and cardiology, particularly focusing on atherosclerosis and other serious cardiovascular disorders.
The company’s flagship asset, BRB-002, targets CD47, a protein that plays a role in protecting cancer cells from the immune system, and blocks its signaling to restore macrophage function and potentially dissolve arterial plaques.
Unlike similar drugs in development for cancer, BRB-002 specifically targets the vascular wall, thus requiring lower doses and reducing the likelihood of common adverse effects.
With the funding, Bitterroot Bio plans to advance BRB-002 through Phase 1 and Phase 2a clinical trials, with the aim of starting clinical trials in 2024.
The company's approach may potentially reshape the treatment landscape for cardiovascular diseases, though other biotech companies are also aiming to innovate in this field.
