EpilepsyGTx, a pioneering biotechnology firm specializing in advanced gene therapies for focal refractory epilepsy, has announced a successful $10 million seed funding round. The financing, spearheaded by the UCL Technology Fund and bolstered by Health Technology Holding, marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards combating this challenging neurological disorder.
Led by CEO Nicolas Koebel, EpilepsyGTx aims to revolutionize epilepsy treatment with its lead program, EPY201. This cutting-edge gene therapy, developed in collaboration with the esteemed UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, targets focal refractory epilepsy with unprecedented precision. By directly administering EPY201 to the specific brain regions responsible for seizures, the therapy holds promise to alleviate symptoms and potentially offer a pathway to seizure freedom for millions of patients worldwide.
“This funding represents a resounding vote of confidence in our scientific approach and the transformative potential of EPY201,” stated Nicolas Koebel. “Our mission is clear: to improve the lives of individuals suffering from focal refractory epilepsy by leveraging innovative gene therapies.”
Simon Goldman, Partner at AlbionVC and a board member of EpilepsyGTx, emphasized the groundbreaking nature of EPY201 and the caliber of the team behind its development. “EpilepsyGTx’s pipeline represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of neurological disorders,” said Goldman. “We are thrilled to support this exceptional team as they advance towards clinical trials.”
EpilepsyGTx, a spinout from UCL supported by UCL Business Ltd, has garnered attention for its rigorous scientific foundation and strategic vision. Caitriona O’Rourke, Business Manager for EpilepsyGTx at UCLB, expressed enthusiasm about the commercial prospects of the technology. “We are proud to witness EpilepsyGTx achieve this funding milestone, reflecting its potential to significantly impact epilepsy treatment,” O’Rourke remarked.
The company’s lead candidate, EPY201, utilizes an innovative AAV9 capsid and an engineered Kv1.1 potassium channel under the control of a CAMK2A promoter. This targeted approach aims to correct underlying neurological abnormalities contributing to focal refractory epilepsy, where conventional treatments have often fallen short. https://www.epilepsygtx.com/
Editorial Opinion:
EpilepsyGTx stands at the forefront of biomedical innovation with its groundbreaking approach to treating focal refractory epilepsy. Backed by a robust scientific foundation from the esteemed UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, the company’s commitment to advancing gene therapies represents a pivotal advancement in neurological care. The recent $10 million seed funding round, led by the UCL Technology Fund and Health Technology Holding, underscores not only the confidence in EpilepsyGTx’s pioneering research but also in its transformative potential to alleviate the burden of epilepsy globally. With EPY201, the company’s lead gene therapy candidate, EpilepsyGTx aims to deliver targeted treatments directly to the seizure foci in the brain, offering a promising avenue towards seizure freedom for millions of patients. Under the visionary leadership of CEO Nicolas Koebel, whose track record in biotech innovation is exemplary, EpilepsyGTx is poised to redefine the treatment landscape for focal refractory epilepsy. Supported by UCL’s commercialization arm, UCL Business Ltd, and bolstered by the strategic oversight of AlbionVC and its UCL Technology Fund, EpilepsyGTx navigates a path towards clinical trials with precision and purpose. This momentum not only highlights the company’s scientific rigor but also its potential to bring tangible benefits to patients, underscoring its role as a beacon of hope in the quest for effective epilepsy treatments.
