Japan-based sleep disorder treatment provider Aculys Pharma has received $59.7m in a funding round led by internet and telecommunications group SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2, Nikkei has reported.
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Investment, Catalys Pacific, HBM Healthcare Investments Anri and Global Founders Capital also participated in the round, which ostensibly marked the first time Vision Fund 2 has invested in a company headquartered in Japan.
Founded in January this year, Aculys Pharma aims to bring sleep a disorder medication that has already been approved in Europe and the United States to the Japanese market.
More specifically, the company has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement to commercialise a sleeping medication called pitolisant in Japan. The proceeds of the round will go to support the clinical development and distribution of the drug.
