Z Factor Limited, a University of Cambridge spin-out engaged in the discovery of new drugs to treat Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD), completed a £7m Series A funding.
The round was led by existing investor Medicxi with participation from Cambridge Enterprise and Cambridge Innovation Capital.
Founded by Jim Huntington, Professor of Molecular Haemostasis at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, joined by David Grainger, Partner at Medicxi and Executive Chairman, Z Factor operates as a virtual biotechnology company, with no internal operations, using an established network of out-sourced drug discovery and development providers, including RxCelerate, co-located on the Babraham campus, just south of Cambridge, UK.
The company previously raised undisclosed seed funding from Medicxi.
The company has already identified dozens of molecules that can correct the folding defect caused by the Z mutation, and shown that some of these drug candidates can increase Alpha-1-antitrypsin levels in an in vivo model of AATD.
Z Factor is now working to select the best molecules for use as a drug in human trials and expects to reach the clinic with its lead candidate in 2019.
FinSMEs
05/05/2017