HepaRegeniX secures €21.5M for HRX-215 liver regeneration trials

Tuebingen, Germany, April 15, 2025 – HepaRegeniX GmbH, a company at the forefront of developing innovative treatments for liver ailments, has successfully closed a €21.5 million financing round. This significant achievement comes with Wellington Partners joining its group of investors. The funds raised are earmarked for the completion of the ongoing Phase Ib trial and the advancement of a Phase IIa clinical trial for HRX-215, which is the company’s leading candidate focused on liver regeneration.

Elias Papatheodorou, CEO of HepaRegeniX, expressed enthusiasm about the progress of HRX-215, highlighting the positive safety outcomes demonstrated in Phase I trials. He emphasized the company's dedication to leveraging the therapeutic potential of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase 4 (MKK4) in addressing various liver conditions with substantial medical needs. This includes offering solutions for patients requiring liver resections due to tumors, those in need of liver transplants, and individuals suffering from chronic and acute liver diseases. Papatheodorou also acknowledged the crucial support from existing investors and welcomed the backing of Wellington Partners at this pivotal stage.

Dr. Rainer Strohmenger, Managing Partner at Wellington Partners, shared his excitement about joining the HepaRegeniX investor community. He praised the unique approach HepaRegeniX has taken, which has shown effectiveness in several in vivo models for liver diseases that have a high unmet medical demand. Wellington Partners anticipates supporting the accumulation of significant clinical efficacy data in human patients soon.

HRX-215 stands out as a pioneering, orally consumable small molecule inhibitor designed to target the MKK4, a central regulator in liver regeneration. By selectively inhibiting MKK4, HRX-215 promotes the natural regenerative abilities of the liver. Preclinical studies conducted on mice and pigs have demonstrated that HRX-215 significantly enhances liver regeneration, both in healthy and diseased states. Notably, HRX-215 has shown promise in preventing liver failure following extensive liver resection. A Phase I clinical trial in healthy individuals further validated its safety and pharmacokinetic profile, marking HRX-215 as a revolutionary treatment option for conditions that necessitate rapid liver repair, surpassing traditional therapies.

HepaRegeniX is dedicated to developing therapies aimed at addressing acute and chronic liver conditions by focusing on novel cellular targets and small molecules that expedite liver regeneration. The company’s leading candidate, HRX-215, is an orally available molecule currently undergoing Phase Ib/IIa trials. It works by selectively inhibiting MKK4, thus acting as a main regulator of liver regeneration. With its established safety in clinical trials, HepaRegeniX is advancing HRX-215 to prevent post-operative liver failure, assist in the transplantation of smaller liver grafts from living donors, and treat severe alcohol-induced hepatitis.

Additionally, HepaRegeniX is working on HRX-233, which aims to overcome resistance to kinase inhibitor treatments in KRAS-driven tumors. The company is supported by experienced investors in the life sciences sector, including Vesalius Biocapital IV, Novo Holdings A/S, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Coparion, High-Tech Gründerfonds, Ascenion GmbH, and Wellington Partners.