Zogenix, Inc., a privately
held pharmaceutical company focused on medicines to treat CNS
disorders and pain, recently announced that the company has raised
$60 million in a Series A private financing. The financing was
co-led by Clarus Ventures and Domain Associates, LLC. Additional
investors included BA Venture Partners, Thomas, McNerney & Partners,
and Life Science Angels, Inc.
Proceeds from the financing
have been used to fund the acquisition of the Intraject® technology
assets from Aradigm Corporation, a transaction also announced today
by Aradigm. This financing will enable Zogenix to advance the
clinical and commercial development of Intraject sumatriptan,
the first needle-free, single-use, disposable, subcutaneous delivery
system that will compete in the $2.5 billion triptan segment of the
migraine market.
“We are very pleased to have
the support of these leading venture capital investors whose
investment validates the commercial potential of the Intraject
technology platform,” said Roger L. Hawley , founder and Chief
Executive Officer. “We will use the proceeds of this financing to
accelerate completion of the commercial Intraject manufacturing
process and support the global registration of Intraject
sumatriptan. We expect to offer patients a unique, easy-to-use,
needle-free delivery device coupled with the fastest acting and most
efficacious acute migraine therapy available on the market, today.”
“We have recruited a
world-class team with extensive knowledge of the Intraject
technology,” added Stephen J. Farr, Ph.D., founder, President and
Chief Operating Officer. “We see a number of exciting commercial
product applications for Zogenix beyond Intraject sumatriptan
and also plan to aggressively pursue partnerships for the
development of additional applications of the Intraject technology.”
Concurrent with the
financing, Zogenix named founder Cam L. Garner, as Chairman of its
Board of Directors. Mr. Garner, the former Chairman and CEO of Dura
Pharmaceuticals, brings an impressive track record of success in
building specialty pharmaceutical companies. “Zogenix is built on a
solid foundation of advanced technology and executive leadership
with a clear strategic vision and directly relevant experience,”
said Mr. Garner. “Coupled with a top-tier investor syndicate, the
company is poised for market success.”
Mr. Garner is joined on the
Zogenix Board by Directors Kurt C. Wheeler, Managing Director of
Clarus Ventures; James C. Blair, Ph.D., Partner of Domain
Associates; Louis C. Bock, Managing Director of BA Venture Partners;
and Alex Zisson, Partner of Thomas, McNerney & Partners; and
management team members Roger L. Hawley , Chief Executive Officer,
and Stephen J. Farr, Ph.D., President and Chief Operating Officer.
“Zogenix is well-positioned
to build an attractive CNS franchise and exploit the commercial
potential of the Intraject technology,” said Kurt Wheeler of Clarus
Ventures. “We look forward to working toward this goal with the
Zogenix team and our co-investors.”