image credit- shutterstock
Australia's Monash University spinout RAGE Biotech has raised $29 million in Series A funding, marking a major step toward translating RNA-based therapeutics for chronic inflammatory disease into the clinic.
Originating from the School of Translational Medicine within the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, RAGE Biotech leverages pioneering expertise in splice-switching oligonucleotide therapeutics and RAGE biology to advance a potential precision therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and related inflammatory lung conditions.
The funding round was led by IP Group Australia and Hostplus, with participation from Monash Ventures. The capital will accelerate RAGE Biotech’s lead program, RB042, into first-in-human clinical trials.
Dr Ingmar Wahlqvist, Senior Director, New Ventures and Investments, said, “This milestone reflects the strength of Monash’s innovation ecosystem and our commitment to supporting exceptional researchers and founders. By backing exceptional founders and science with targeted investment, we’re building ventures that advance medicine and deliver tangible impact for patients worldwide.”
Professor Merlin Thomas, RAGE Biotech's Lead Researcher and Founder, said, “Activation of RAGE is a critical driver of human disease. RAGE recognizes damage and stokes inflammation to further increase tissue injury. We have developed a novel way to block RAGE by harnessing a natural RAGE inhibitor made by the lungs. This discovery will enable transformative therapies across a range of potential indications.”
