Japanese startup Rege Nephro raises ¥ 22.5 B to accelerate kidney disease therapy trials

Japan-based startup Rege Nephro Co. has successfully developed a funding plan of total 25 billion yen (¥) in new Series B funding and raised 22.5 billion yen with the first payment.

This significant investment brings the company's total funding to 44 billion yen. The funding round attracted a mix of strategic investors, including DCI Partners Co., Ltd. as a lead investor, JIC Venture Growth Investments Co., Ltd., Nippon Venture Capital CO., Ltd., TOHOKU University Venture Partners Co., Ltd., Golden Asia Fund Ventures Ltd., Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Global Brain Corporation, Kyoto UniversityInnovation Capital Co., Ltd., JAFCO Group Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd., ASAHI KASEI CORPORATION, QB Capital, LLC who recognize the potential of Rege Nephro in delivering new treatments to patients suffering from their diseases.

The newly acquired funds will be strategically used to advance the clinical trials of RN-014, a promising treatment in Phase II trials for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), and to prepare for clinical trials in the United States. Additionally, the funding will support the completion of preclinical trials for its second innovative product, RN-032, aimed at treating Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) through cell therapy.

Tamibarotene, under development for ADPKD, is a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist expected to potently inhibit cyst formation and improve renal function. The Phase II clinical trial began in December 2023. This trial includes a pharmacokinetic (PK) phase and a randomisation phase. Various safety measures have been established, including phased patient enrollment, periodic independent safety monitoring, strict criteria for dose reduction and discontinuation of the investigational drug, and criteria for discontinuation of the entire trial. There have been no significant issues at this time.