US-based small-molecule therapy developer Rodeo Therapeutics Corporation raised $5.9m in series A financing today from investors including pharmaceutical firms AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and WuXi AppTec.
The round also featured Alexandria Venture Investments, the venture capital vehicle for real estate investment trust Alexandria Real Estate Equities, investment manager Accelerator Corporation, Arch Venture Partners, Watson Fund and WRF Capital.
Rodeo is developing small-molecule therapies that will help regenerate and repair various types of tissue, for use in dealing with conditions such as ulcerative colitis and, for haemopoietic recovery after bone marrow transplants.
The technology is based on research conducted at Case Western Reserve University and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson participated in the round through their respective corporate venturing units: AbbVie Ventures andJohnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC.