EPICS Therapeutics to Acquire Ogeda former assets, Adding Drug Discovery & Development Capabilities
EPICS Therapeutics SA, a recently launched biotech company (April 2018) focused on discovery and development of innovative small molecules anti-cancer drugs acting on RNA epigenetics, today announced it has entered into a Business Transfer Agreement with Ogeda SA. On Dec 31st 2018, part of the Ogeda assets, including research stage programs and the EuroscreenFast Business Services Unit will be acquired by EPICS.
The financial details of the transaction are not disclosed.
In parallel of this acquisition, EPICS will also raise €14.2 Million ($16.1 Million) to fund further developments. All current shareholders of EPICS, including Newton BioCapital and SRIW will participate to this new round, and will be joined by new comers including Fund+, SFPI-FPIM, and BNP Paris Fortis Private Equity. Jean Combalbert, PharmD, PhD, who was the former CEO of Ogeda before Astellas Pharma Inc. acquisition, and now CEO of EPICS mentioned, “With this acquisition, EPICS will take a big step forward that will allow us to accelerate our development over the next years, creating a world leading epidrugs’ company with capabilities and resources with successful track-record, including highly qualified staff”.
Contacts
| Jean Combalbert, PharmD, PhD | François Fuks, PhD |
| CEO | CSO |
| jcombablert@outlook.com | ffuks@ulb.ac.be |
| jcombablert@epicstx.com (from Jan 1st 2019) | ffuks@epicstx.com (from Jan 1st 2019) |
| +32 485 339 876 | +32 485 382 313 |
About EPICS Therapeutics
EPICS Therapeutics is a Belgian drug discovery and development company. EPICS develops innovative small molecules acting through novel RNA epigenetic targets for cancer treatment. Recent discovery efforts targeting DNA and histone modifications have already given some of the most promising drugs to treat cancer. Modifications to RNA are much more common than to DNA, further highlighting the huge potential of using RNA epigenetics for therapeutic applications. By targeting RNA modifications, EPICS aims to translate science into life-changing therapies for patients. http://www.epicstherapeutics.com
About Newton BioCapital
Established in 2017, Newton BioCapital is a Belgian venture capital fund focused on financing biotech and life science projects in Europe and Japan for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. The fund’s approach as lead investor is to support promising start-up projects, as well as neglected or undervalued late-stage projects, in order to mitigate the risks and to create investor value. Newton Biocapital’s mission is to generate substantial financial and societal value. www.newtonbiocapital.com
About SRIW Life Sciences
Société Régionale d’Investissement de Wallonie (SRIW) provides equity and/or debt to companies that generate added value and employment in Wallonia. SRIW facilitates the region’s economic development, contributing effectively to the modernization, growth and restructuring of the businesses that make up the Walloon industrial ecosystem. In the life sciences sector, SRIW is investor in 39 companies. Its current life sciences portfolio fair value is close to €200 Million. www.sriw.be
About Fund+
Fund+ is an open-ended fund for long-term equity investments in innovative life sciences companies. The fund wants to create sustainable shareholders’ value, contribute to the development of a leadership position of the Belgian life sciences sector and generate a tangible, beneficial societal impact. www.fundplus.be
About SFPI-FPIM
The Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPI-FPIM) centrally manages the federal government’s shareholdings, cooperates with the government on specific projects and pursues its own investment policy in the interests of the Belgian economy. For the 2017 business year, SFPI-FPIM was at a balance sheet total of about €2.3 Billion with around €15 Billion additional assets managed under delegated assignments. In the life science sector, SFPI-FPIM invested in more than 30 funds and companies. www.sfpi-fpim.be
About BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity
BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity has been an active private equity provider in the Belgian market since the 1980s. BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity takes minority equity positions in and provides mezzanine financing to growing medium-sized companies. BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity also manages a portfolio of international buyout funds as well as local VC funds. www.cpb.bnpparibasfortis.be