Exciva receives 51 million euros Series B for Alzheimer's therapy

Exciva GmbH, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on neuropsychiatric diseases, has raised 51 million euros (59 million US dollars) in a Series B financing round. The round is co-led by European investment firm Gimv and EQT Life Sciences. Other investors include Fountain Healthcare Partners, LifeArc, Modi VC, Carma Fund and existing investor Andera Partners.

Capital flows into international Phase II study

Exciva plans to use the capital primarily for the start of a multicenter Phase II clinical trial. The study is to be conducted in Europe, the USA and Canada and will investigate the company's proprietary lead compound Deraphan. The aim is to further evaluate the efficacy of the therapy in so-called Alzheimer's-related agitation symptoms such as restlessness and aggression.

We look forward to working with the Exciva team, which has decades of experience in the development of neuropsychiatric drugs, including approved therapies...

Dr. Andreas Jurgeit, Partner Life Sciences at Gimv

New therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's agitation

Deraphan is a combination therapy of two clinically validated compounds, including a New Chemical Entity (NCE). The therapy is aimed at the symptomatic treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with dementia. This is an area with high medical need and limited treatment options to date.

According to the company, Deraphan is designed to offer improved efficacy and a more favorable risk-benefit profile compared to existing treatment approaches. A completed Phase I study confirmed the safety and tolerability of the compound.

Investors back experienced team and differentiated technology

With the co-lead investment, Gimv and EQT Life Sciences underline their commitment to supporting companies that address urgent medical needs. Exciva was founded in 2016 and has a team with decades of experience in neuropsychiatric drug development, including already approved therapies.

Dr. Andreas Jurgeit, Partner Life Sciences at Gimv, emphasizes that Exciva's approach specifically addresses weaknesses of existing standard therapies. Christoph Kocher, Principal Life Sciences at Gimv, also emphasizes the potential of the funding to accelerate the development of a clearly differentiated Alzheimer's therapy.

Agitation is one of the most common and distressing accompanying symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia and manifests itself in restlessness, aggression, sleep disorders, anxiety or hallucinations, among other things. More than two thirds of those affected develop such symptoms during the course of the disease, while there are currently only a few effective and well-tolerated treatment options. Since 2016, the Heidelberg-based biotech company Exciva has been developing new therapies to specifically alleviate these symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.