Cologne-based Refoxy Pharmaceuticals, focused on developing pre-clinical anti-aging and age-related disease therapies, has raised €9.1 million in seed-extension funding led by Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund to accelerate the development of FOXO3 therapeutics for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
- Launched in 2020 by Wolfgang Link and Victor Bustos, Refoxy Pharmaceuticals develops therapies that activate FOXO3, a key transcription factor regulating biological homeostasis.
- Using its proprietary F.act finder platform, the company identifies molecules to address complex diseases by modulating FOXO3 activity.
- Refoxy focuses on fibrotic disorders, particularly Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a chronic lung disease marked by progressive scarring and limited treatment options.
“We are following biology. The evidence that FOXO3 activation can be therapeutically relevant continues to grow, not only in IPF but in multiple chronic disorders. This financing brings us one step closer to leveraging FOXO3 biology for novel therapeutics," says Dr. Victor Bustos, co-founder and CEO of Refoxy.
Details of the deal
- The seed-extension round was led by Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF), the strategic venture arm of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation, which invests in science-driven startups worldwide.
“We are thrilled to provide funding for Refoxy's research on FOXO3 activation as a promising novel therapeutic approach. This perfectly aligns with our mission to support breakthrough developments and deliver innovative therapies to patients in need in the field of IPF," Investment Manager at BIVF, Dr. Niklas Czeloth, stated.
- The investment also saw support from Berlin-based VC Apollo Health Ventures, Düsseldorf-based NRW.BANK, and HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds, which has backed over 700 early-stage tech startups since 2005.
- Refoxy Pharmaceuticals will utilize the €9.1 million funding to advance the preclinical development of its lead program for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and expand its F.act finder platform.
