US-based cancer-focused biopharmaceutical company Constellation Pharmaceuticals raised $100m today in a funding round backed by SR One, the corporate venturing arm of healthcare group GlaxoSmithKline.
The round also featured financial services conglomerate Fidelity Management and Research, University of California Investment Office, Cormorant Asset Management, Deerfield Management, Hillhouse Capital, NS Investment, OrbiMed and Sirona Capital.
Venrock Healthcare Partners, Column Group, Third Rock Ventures, Topspin Partners and Casdin Capital filled out the investors.
Founded in 2008, Constellation is working on immuno-oncology therapies that rely on epigenetics, the field of genetics that focuses on understanding gene mutations that are not linked to the DNA.
The funding will go towards the further development of the company’s lead candidates: CPI-1205 and CPI-0610. Constellation will also advance a second-generation program into the clinic and seek to identify additional candidates.
CPI-1205 is currently undergoing trials in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and in immunotherapies in other solid tumours. Constellation will progress CPI-0610 as a treatment for myelofibrosis, a group of rare bone marrow cancers.
Constellation has now raised $229m in equity funding, not including $95m that was provided part of a strategic agreement signed with Genentech, a subsidiary of pharmaceutical firm Roche, in 2012.
The company most recently closed a $55m funding round in 2015 co-led by Topspin and unnamed investors, with participation from SR One, Third Rock, Column, Venrock and undisclosed funds.
Constellation closed a $37m series B round in 2011 after SR One, Third Rock, Column, Venrock and Altitude Life Science Ventures provided a $15m extension to funding provided by SR One, Third Rock, Column, Venrock and Altitude in 2010.
University of California Investment Office was identified as a returning investor for the latest round, though details concerning its earlier involvement could not be ascertained.