TenNor Secures Over 300 Million RMB for Development and Commercialization of Late-Stage Assets Including Rifasutenizol for H. pylori Infections

SUZHOU, China, Oct. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TenNor Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company focused on developing new treatments for infectious diseases, has announced the initial closing of a Series E financing round, raising more than 300 million RMB. The funding round saw new participation from AMR Action Fund alongside Zhongshan Venture Capital and other existing investors. The capital will be allocated towards the development and regulatory approval processes in China for rifasutenizol, a pioneering drug for Helicobacter pylori infections.

Dr. Zhenkun Ma, Founder and CEO of TenNor Therapeutics, expressed gratitude for the financial support from the investors. He emphasized the company's commitment to tackling drug-resistant infections through innovative solutions for diseases that currently lack adequate treatments. Dr. Ma highlighted that the new funding strengthens TenNor's position in seeking regulatory approval and eventually introducing rifasutenizol to the market. Additionally, TenNor aims to advance another product targeting prosthetic joint infections and similar medical device-related infections.

AMR Action Fund Chief Executive Officer Henry Skinnner, PhD, noted the increasing global burden of drug-resistant bacterial infections, citing recent data from The Lancet which predicts nearly 40 million deaths due to antimicrobial resistance by 2050. Skinner expressed his pleasure in supporting TenNor as they develop novel antibiotics that have the potential to save lives globally and alleviate the suffering caused by these severe infections.

Cheng Zhang, Chairman of Zhongshan Venture Capital, praised TenNor as a leading company with several assets in late-stage clinical development aimed at treating bacterial infections and metabolic diseases. Zhang remarked on TenNor's strategic approach to addressing major unmet medical needs in China and highlighted the significant market potential of their products both locally and globally. He also voiced his satisfaction in collaborating with AMR Action Fund, a prominent leader in the antimicrobial sector, in supporting this investment round.

TenNor Therapeutics develops unique products targeting diseases associated with bacterial infections and metabolism that currently lack effective therapies. The company employs a strategic approach to create first-line treatments for indications with substantial unmet medical needs and significant market potential, ensuring commercial viability.

TNP-2198, also known as rifasutenizol, is a novel drug candidate with a synergistic mechanism against anaerobic and microaerophilic bacteria. It holds promise as the first new drug specifically developed for Helicobacter pylori infection in over three decades. TNP-2198 could be crucial in supporting large-scale screening and eradication programs aimed at preventing gastric cancers in high-risk regions. TenNor is in the final phase of a Phase 3 clinical trial for TNP-2198 in China and has received Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and Fast Track designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Another promising candidate, TNP-2092 (rifaquizinone), is designed to address antimicrobial resistance and persistence in medical device infections. TenNor has completed six Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials for TNP-2092 for injection and is preparing for a Phase 3 multiregional clinical trial for prosthetic joint infections. TNP-2092 has also been granted QIDP, Fast Track, and Orphan Drug designations by the U.S. FDA.

TenNor Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company specializing in the discovery and development of innovative new drug products for bacterial infection and metabolism-related diseases. Utilizing a unique multi-targeting drug conjugate technology platform, TenNor has a robust portfolio of new drug developments with global intellectual property protection. The company is dedicated to meeting the unmet needs in these disease areas, providing safe and effective therapies for patients in China and around the world.