MLS-101 is a Highly Selective Aldosterone Synthase Inhibitor Designed to Address Abnormally Elevated Aldosterone, an Underlying Cause of Hypertension Prevalent in a Significant Portion of Patients
Derek DiRocco of RA Capital Management and Olivier Litzka, PhD of Andera Partners Join Mineralys Board of Directors
Andera Partners, a leading European private equity player, announced today that, together with RA Capital Management, it is leading an oversubscribed and up-sized $118 million Series B financing for Mineralys Therapeutics, Inc., a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing a best-in-class, novel therapy for the treatment of hypertension.
Mineralys plans to use the proceeds to continue to advance MLS-101, a highly selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor. MLS-101 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial, called Target-HTN, for patients with uncontrolled hypertension. The Company anticipates releasing the top-line results of Target-HTN later this year.
Andera participated in the round through its biotech and medtech practice Andera Life Sciences. Additional new investors include RTW Investments, Rock Springs Capital, SR One Capital Management, Sectoral Asset Management and Ysios Capital. Existing investors, including founding investment firm Catalys Pacific, Samsara BioCapital, HBM Healthcare Investments and Adams Street Partners also participated. As part of the Series B financing, Derek DiRocco, Partner, RA Capital Management and Olivier Litzka, PhD, Partner, Andrea Partners will join the Mineralys Board of Directors.
“MLS-101 has the potential to be a paradigm-shifting treatment by normalizing plasma aldosterone levels, selectively, without the untoward effects of blocking the mineralocorticoid receptor. This financing will allow us to further our clinical program to unlock the value of MLS-101.” said Jon Congleton, Chief Executive Officer, Mineralys. “We are pleased to be joined by a strong, international group of investors who share our vision of creating a targeted approach to address the growing epidemic of abnormal aldosterone overproduction, that is linked to uncontrolled hypertension and related cardiorenal disorders.”
“We are excited to have co-led this financing with Andera Partners and look forward to helping Mineralys progress on the promise of MLS-101 for the treatment of hypertension,” said Derek DiRocco, Partner, RA Capital Management. “RA Capital shares Mineralys’ commitment and belief in the need to bring important new treatments to address the burden and impact of hypertension.”
“Hypertension remains the leading cause of heart and kidney disease, but little innovation has been made for over a decade. The work being done by Mineralys addresses an unmet need as more than half of the current patients have uncontrolled blood pressure,” said Olivier Litzka, PhD, Partner, Andrea Partners. “We are pleased to support Mineralys’ experienced team as they work to bring a targeted treatment for the millions of hypertension patients failing to achieve their goal blood pressure.”
“We are delighted to have both Olivier and Derek join as new members of the Mineralys Board of Directors,” said BT Slingsby MD, PhD, MPH, Founder & Executive Chairman of Mineralys. “Mineralys was created to transform the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension by targeting one its underlying causes, aldosterone, impacting millions of patients. We look forward to working with our new investors and Board members to advance the MLS-101 development program.”