MAP3K2

Investment will support development of a differentiated pipeline in oncology Most advanced asset is D3S-001 with potential to be a best-in-class KRAS G12C inhibitor Data on lead asset D3S-001 to be presented at AACR on 8 April 2024 LONDON, GENEVA and ST HELIER, Jersey, April 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicxi, a leading European life sciences investment firm, today announces an investment of $40 million in D3 Bio, a biotechnology company based in Shanghai, China. D3 Bio is focused on the discovery, development, and registration of innovative medicines in oncology and immunology. The investment will accelerate the development of D3 Bio's innovative pipeline of oncology compounds. Francesco De Rubertis, Partner at Medicxi, will join the Board of D3 Bio. D3 Bio has built a pipeline of multiple oncology assets, all with first-in-class or best-in-class potential and foundational properties targeting immune-pathways or tumor driving mutations. Three compounds have already entered clinical trials: D3S-001 is a new generation small molecule KRAS G12C inhibitor with differentiated properties and could potentially address the still large unmet need of patients with cancers harboring KRAS G12C mutations. D3S-001 is currently in phase II development in non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer. D3S-002 is a distinctively designed, novel small molecule ERK1/2 kinase inhibitor with promising activity, selectivity, and favorable safety profile in preclinical assessments. The combination of D3S-002 and D3S-001 has demonstrated promising and synergistic antitumor activity in preclinical models. D3S-002 is being tested in an ongoing phase I trial. D3L-001, currently in Phase I development is a novel HER2×CD47 bi-specific antibody which has demonstrated potent and synergistic anti-tumor effect via HER2 guided CD47 co-blocking in both in vitro and in vivo models. Francesco De Rubertis, Co-founder and Partner at Medicxi, said: "Our mission is to support the innovative genius of entrepreneurs by providing the critical capital, expertise and experience that form the all-important 'bridge' to pharma. George and his team are exceptional drug innovators focused on developing new treatments where there are enormous unmet patient and market needs." George Chen, MD, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of D3 Bio, commented: "Medicxi's longstanding success has been built on its uniquely strong ties to pharmaceutical companies and its extensive team of world class subject matter experts, drug hunters and developers who act as partners for the innovators in which they are investing. Their expertise and knowledge will be instrumental in accelerating our mission to advance breakthroughs in cancer treatment to transform the lives of patients across the globe. With Medicxi's lead investment and participations from existing investors, D3 Bio successfully closed its Series A+ financing round." D3 Bio, which is funded by globally renowned investors, including Boyu Capital, Matrix Partners China, HongShan, Temasek, and WuXi AppTec's Corporate Venture Fund, has now raised a total of $250m to date. D3 Bio, which is funded by globally renowned investors, including Boyu Capital, Matrix Partners China, HongShan (formally known as Sequoia Capital China), Temasek, WuXi Biologics' Healthcare Venture Fund and WuXi AppTec's Corporate Venture Fund, has now raised a total of $250m to date. D3 Bio will present data on D3S-001 at the upcoming American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, from April 5-10 in San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Notes to Editors About Medicxi Medicxi is a healthcare-focused investment firm with the mission to create and invest in companies across the full drug development continuum. Leveraging deep expertise in drug development and company creation spanning over two decades, Medicxi invests in early and late-stage therapeutics with a product vision that can fulfill a clear unmet medical need. For more information please visit: . About D3 Bio D3 Bio is a globally orientated, clinical stage biotechnology company that focuses on the discovery, development, and registration of new medicines in oncology and immunology. At D3 Bio, we fully leverage our clinical insight and biomarker strategy to guide our discovery effort and compound development, aiming to create novel and clinically meaningful new therapies for patients in need. D3 Bio is funded by globally renowned investors, including Boyu Capital, Matrix Partners China, HongShan, Temasek, and WuXi AppTec's Corporate Venture Fund. For more information please visit: . SOURCE Medicxi

Medicxi on Monday announced a $40-million investment to advance Shanghai-based biotech D3 Bio's pipeline of oncology compounds, several of which are already in clinical trials.George Chen, chief executive at D3 Bio, said Medicxi's lead investment along with contributions from existing backers, has allowed the company to successfully close its Series A+ round. The startup, which launched in 2020 with $200 million in hand, has raised $250 million to date with help from the likes of Boyu Capital, Matrix Partners China, HongShan, Temasek, and WuXi AppTec's Corporate Venture Fund.Targeting immune pathways, mutationsThe company said its most advanced asset, a KRAS drug called D3S-001, has "differentiated properties" that could address the significant unmet need in cancers driven by KRAS G12C mutations. D3S-001 is currently in Phase II for non-small-cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer.The pipeline also includes the Phase I candidate D3S-002, a "distinctively designed" ERK1/2 kinase inhibitor that has shown early signs of activity, selectivity, and a favourable safety profile, according to the company. "The combination of D3S-002 and D3S-001 has demonstrated promising and synergistic antitumour activity in preclinical models," it added.Meanwhile, D3 Bio said another Phase I asset, the bispecific D3L-001, has also demonstrated "potent and synergistic anti-tumour effect via HER2-guided CD47 co-blocking" in both in vitro and in vivo models.The investment in D3 Bio adds to Medicxi's portfolio of life sciences companies. Earlier this year, the firm merged six of its dermatology-focused companies to form Alys Pharmaceuticals, a new drugmaker focused on developing novel therapies in the immuno-dermatology space.

The investment will accelerate the development of D3 Bio’s pipeline of oncology compounds, particularly its lead asset DS3-001. D3S-001 is a new generation small molecule KRAS G12C inhibitor with differentiated properties and could potentially address the large unmet need of patients with cancers harboring KRAS G12C mutations. The treatment is currently in phase 2 development in non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Data on DS3-001 is also set to be presented at AACR ​ on April 8, 2024. George Chen, CEO and co-founder of D3 Bio, commented: “Medicxi’s longstanding success has been built on its uniquely strong ties to pharmaceutical companies and its extensive team of world class subject matter experts, drug hunters and developers who act as partners for the innovators in which they are investing. “Their expertise and knowledge will be instrumental in accelerating our mission to advance breakthroughs in cancer treatment to transform the lives of patients across the globe. With Medicxi’s lead investment and participations from existing investors, D3 Bio successfully closed its Series A+ financing round.” Francesco De Rubertis, co-founder and partner at Medicxi, described George and his team as ‘exceptional drug innovators’ focused on developing new treatments where there are ‘enormous unmet patient and market needs’. “Our mission is to support the innovative genius of entrepreneurs by providing the critical capital, expertise and experience that form the all-important ‘bridge’ to pharma,” he added. googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('text-ad1'); }); The company’s other assets include D3S-002, a novel small molecule ERK1/2 kinase inhibitor currently being tested in an ongoing phase 1 trial, having shown promising antitumor activity. In addition, bi-specific antibody D3L-001 is also in phase 1 development and has demonstrated ‘potent and synergistic’ anti-tumor effect via HER2 guided CD47 co-blocking in both in vitro and in vivo models. D3 Bio, which is funded by investors, including Boyu Capital, Matrix Partners China, HongShan, Temasek, and WuXi AppTec's Corporate Venture Fund, has now raised a total of $250m to date. Francesco De Rubertis will be joining the board of D3 Bio.