November 29, 2017
Indianapolis, IN – November 29, 2017 – Apexian Pharmaceuticals, an Indiana-based clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel compounds to treat cancer, announced today that they are closing their Series A round. This financing follows previous investments as well as numerous grants and awards by the company since its founding. Proceeds will be used to initiate their phase 1 clinical study for APX3330 a novel first in class oral treatment for patients with cancer.
APX3330, the lead molecule for Apexian has a unique dual biological role targeting the APE1/Ref-1 protein. The APE1 protein is a critical molecular “switch” controlling the activity of cancer regulatory proteins, including transcription factors HIF-1-alpha, STAT3, NF-kappa B, and AP-1. The Investigational New Drug application was issued based on robust non-clinical data and a safety database of over 422 patients in non-cancer studies. In addition, the data identified APE1/Ref-1 protein also plays a critical role in the repair of neuronal DNA that has been damaged through oxidative mechanisms which are common with platinum-containing chemotherapy agents. Apexian has developed robust non-clinical data demonstrating APX3330 prevents and/or reverses such damage and is the basis for pursuing an indication for Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN).
Elevate Ventures, a venture development organization based in Indiana, committed funding through their Indiana 21st Century Research & Technology Fund, a direct investment vehicle overseen by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation positioned to support early-stage high-growth companies. “Apexian Pharmaceuticals has an impressive body of preclinical work in an exciting new target to treat cancer,” said Elevate Ventures Chief Executive Officer Chris LaMothe. “We look forward to joining other sophisticated investors to see this molecule tested in the clinical setting.”
Apexian Pharmaceuticals President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Carchedi commented: “We are very pleased to have an Indiana group, like Elevate Ventures join with others to enable this key data to be generated for our lead molecule. Developing a first-in-class oral molecule to treat pancreatic, colon and other difficult to treat cancers, is at the core of our mission. Cancer patients are truly waiting for novel treatments to attack these deadly diseases.”
About Elevate Ventures
Elevate Ventures is a private venture development organization that nurtures and develops emerging and existing high-potential businesses into high-performing, Indiana-based companies. Elevate Ventures accomplishes this by providing access to capital, rigorous business analysis and robust advisory services that connect companies with the right mix of resources businesses need to succeed long term. To learn more about Elevate Ventures, visit elevateventures.com.
About Apexian Pharmaceuticals
Apexian Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing safe and effective therapy for patients with high unmet medical needs. Apexian’s lead drug candidate APX3330, is an oral first in class novel inhibitor of the APE1 protein, a critical node in cancer cell signaling. To learn more about Apexian Pharmaceuticals, please visit the company’s website at www.ApexianPharma.com.
