Resolution Therapeutics Secures £63.5 Million in Series B Funding Round
Founded in 2020 by Syncona, a UK investment trust dedicated to launching and supporting healthcare enterprises, Resolution Therapeutics emerged after a two-year partnership with scientific co-founders Stuart Forbes, a professor at the University of Edinburgh, and John Campbell, who serves as Director of Tissues, Cells, and Advanced Therapeutics at the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, while also holding a professorship at the University of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Forbes and Campbell’s research illustrated the potential of macrophage cells, a type of white blood cell known for surrounding and neutralizing pathogens, in promoting tissue regeneration following injury.
This week, Resolution revealed it has successfully raised £63.5 million (US million) through a Series B financing round. This funding follows an earlier £26.6 million (US million) raised in a Series A financing announced in 2020.
Both financial rounds were spearheaded by Syncona, which boasts a diverse portfolio of biotech firms such as Autolus Therapeutics, Beacon Therapeutics, iOnctura, Anaveon, and Purespring Therapeutics, among others.
Resolution intends to leverage this latest funding to advance RTX001, its flagship candidate, into clinical trials. RTX001 represents a novel engineered autologous macrophage cell therapy aimed at treating end-stage liver disease.
Edward Hodgkin, Managing Partner of Syncona Investment Management Limited and Non-Executive Director of Resolution, stated, “This represents a potential first-in-class product addressing a condition for which patients currently lack effective therapies, often leading to liver transplantation or a decline in health that can be fatal.”
He added, “We are excited to further support Resolution through our investment in their Series B financing, reflecting Syncona’s commitment to funding clinical-stage assets.”
Emphasis on a new cell therapy
The lead therapy developed by Resolution aims to regenerate the liver in patients suffering from end-stage liver disease by enhancing anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic responses.
The therapy’s initial version underwent evaluation in a small safety study, followed by a phase 2 trial conducted on liver cirrhosis patients by Campbell, Forbes, and their colleagues.
Resolution Therapeutics was established from these foundational studies, and in June of this year, the company secured authorization to initiate a phase 1/2 trial for RTX001 in individuals with decompensated liver cirrhosis. The EMERALD trial will be conducted in the UK and Spain, with patient recruitment expected to commence before year-end.
The funds will also be allocated towards ongoing research into additional indications that might harness the regenerative benefits of macrophage therapy, in addition to augmenting their manufacturing infrastructure and production abilities.
“As we gear up to propel RTX001, our lead investigational macrophage therapy with first-in-class potential for end-stage liver disease treatment, into the clinic this year, we deeply appreciate Syncona’s ongoing support,” remarked Amir Hefni, CEO of Resolution.
Furthermore, he expressed excitement about welcoming Paul Sekhri to the Board of Directors, citing his extensive experience in steering leading firms toward the development of groundbreaking medicines, including innovative treatments for autoimmune diseases.