US-based biotechnology company Imago BioSciences has secured $26.5m in a series A round featuring pharmaceutical companies Merck and Amgen.
Merck and Amgen participated through respective subsdiaries Merck Research Labs Fund and Amgen Ventures. Investment firm Clarus Ventures led the round, which also included venture capital firm Frazier Healthcare.
Imago BioSciences is developing medicines to treat orphan diseases. The funding will support research and the clinical development of therapeutics that alter gene expression patterns.
Hugh Young Rienhoff, chief executive at Imago, said: “Imago BioSciences is extremely gratified with the makeup of this investment syndicate.
“They comprise a group of experienced financial and strategic investors who provide financial support to progress our clinical development programme in a direction important to patients and their physicians.”
Following the round, Clarus’ Dennis Henner and Frazier’s Patrick Heron have joined the Imago board.