Based on research at Johns Hopkins University, Escient Pharmaceuticals is developing treatments for serious but unserved medical needs.
Escient Pharmaceuticals, a US-based biotechnology spinout from Johns Hopkins University, launched yesterday with a $40m series A round backed by spinout-focused investment firm Osage University Partners.
The round was also backed by Column Group and 5AM Ventures.
Escient Pharmaceuticals is working on treatments for neuro-immuno-inflammatory and autoreactive diseases. Its approach relies on drugs targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which mediate cellular responses to hormones and neurotransmitters.
The company’s scientific founder is Xinzhong Dong, an investigator in the Howard Hughes Medical…
