Be Bio raises $92m for haemophilia B and hypophosphatasia therapies

Be Biopharma has successfully raised $92 million through a Series C financing round, a significant step forward in its mission to advance clinical programs targeting haemophilia B and hypophosphatasia. This round of funding saw participation from new investor Nextech, as well as contributions from existing investors, including notable names such as Bristol Myers Squibb, ARCH Venture Partners, RA Capital Management, Atlas Ventures, and Alta Partners.

The capital raised is earmarked for the continued development and clinical validation of Be Biopharma's innovative B cell medicine, BE-101. This medicine is currently being evaluated in the BeCoMe-9 Phase I/II trial, which is focused on individuals suffering from haemophilia B. The ongoing trial aims to establish clinical proof-of-concept for BE-101, a key milestone for Be Biopharma in demonstrating the effectiveness of its B cell medicine (BCM) platform.

In addition to supporting BE-101, the newly acquired funds will facilitate the progression of BE-102, a promising treatment for hypophosphatasia. The company plans to initiate clinical testing of BE-102, further leveraging its BCM product platform. Both of these programs are central to Be Biopharma’s strategy of developing transformative treatments for rare diseases.

As part of this growth phase, Be Biopharma has announced the appointment of Melissa McCracken from Nextech to its board of directors. Nextech, a Switzerland-based venture capital firm, brings valuable expertise and strategic insight to the company’s leadership during this crucial period of expansion.

Joanne Smith-Farrell, the CEO of Be Biopharma, expressed confidence in the company’s future, stating, "With this funding in hand, we are well-equipped to advance our two lead programmes and solidify our position as a multi-programme, clinical-stage company. We are on track to demonstrate clinical proof-of-concept for BE-101 in haemophilia B this year. Additionally, BE-102 is poised to enter the clinic next year, potentially demonstrating BCMs’ potential to become a new gold standard in enzyme replacement by providing hypophosphatasia patients with a transformative new option."

BE-101 is a groundbreaking treatment designed to provide a continuous expression of active Factor IX (FIX) following a single infusion. This innovative approach has been recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration, which granted investigational new drug clearance in May 2024, followed by the designation of fast track status in September.

The company’s second focus, BE-102, targets hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare metabolic bone condition. This BCM utilizes artificial intelligence-guided protein design to modify primary human B cells, enabling them to produce alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme that patients with HPP lack. The development of BE-102 represents a significant advancement in the treatment of this condition, offering a potential new standard in enzyme replacement therapy.

Through strategic investments and innovative approaches to treatment, Be Biopharma is positioning itself at the forefront of medical advancements for rare diseases. The successful Series C funding round marks an important milestone in the company's journey, providing the necessary resources to bring its promising therapies closer to market realization and offering hope to patients with these challenging conditions.