Neurogenic bladder dysfunction is a chronic and potentially hazardous condition that affects individuals with spinal cord injuries or neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. EG 427, a biotechnology company based in France, has made significant strides in addressing this issue by developing a unique and innovative solution.
Their non-replicative Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (nrHSV-1) based vector platform allows for precise delivery of disease-modifying transgenes, offering selective and long-lasting expression. Their lead asset, EG110A, targets the silencing of type-C sensory neurons, providing a promising avenue for treating neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
EG 427, at the forefront of developing gene therapies that target specific DNA sequences, has successfully secured an additional €5 million in the final closing of its Series A funding round. This funding infusion comes from a combination of existing investors and new family office investors, bringing the total raised in the Series A round to an impressive €18 million.
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EG 427 Sets Sights on Series B Funding to Propel Advancements in Gene Therapies
This achievement follows the initial closing of the funding round in early 2021, and the newly acquired funds will be instrumental in advancing EG 427’s nrHSV-1 based vector platform. Specifically, they aim to reach the Investigational New Drug (IND) application filing stage for their lead product, EG110A, focused on neurogenic bladder overactivity, by the first quarter of 2024.
Looking ahead, EG 427 plans to initiate a Series B fundraising effort later in 2023. The proceeds from this funding round will be allocated to financing the clinical development of EG110A and further advancing their pipeline products.
Philippe Chambon, M.D., Ph.D., Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of EG 427, expressed his delight at concluding the Series A round with strong support from both existing and new investors. He emphasized that the funds raised would play a pivotal role in advancing EG 427’s pipeline, culminating in the IND application filing for EG110A, their lead product.
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EG110A represents a truly innovative breakthrough in the treatment of neurogenic bladder overactivity, a condition that has not seen significant advancements in over a decade. Compared to other experimental therapeutics in the same development stage, EG110A boasts two key advantages that reduce risk.
Firstly, its mode of efficacy is similar to a surgical option known as sacral dorsal root rhizotomy, but with the potential for critical improvements in safety and efficacy. Secondly, the recent FDA approval of the first non-replicative HSV-1 vector gene therapy validates the strong therapeutic potential of this approach beyond cancer treatments.
Cornelia Haag-Molkenteller, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of EG 427, emphasized the importance of EG110A in treating patients with neurogenic bladder overactivity. She explained that this condition often leads to frequent incontinence episodes, significantly impacting the patients’ quality of life.
Moreover, it poses medical risks such as recurrent urinary tract infections and potential kidney damage if not effectively managed. Despite currently available drugs, there is a pressing need for long-lasting solutions with fewer side effects.
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How EG110A’s Innovative Approach Could Redefine Gene Therapy ?
EG 427 was started in 2019 by Philippe Chambon, Alberto Epstein, Francois Giuliano, Pierre Denys, and Charles Joussain. Since then, they have made a lot of work on EG110A. Leveraging the unique precision of their nrHSV-1 vectors to deliver gene therapies directly to targeted tissues, EG110A shows immense potential as the first gene therapy product to address neurogenic bladder overactivity and other bladder pathologies.
Compared to other smaller viral vectors used in gene therapy, such as adeno-associated virus (AAV), EG110A’s localized administration into the bladder muscle via nrHSV-1 vectors ensures exceptional specificity for targeted neurons without systemic spread. Additionally, EG110A holds the promise of long-term efficacy, potentially reducing or even eliminating the need for repeated injections when compared to currently available treatments.
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