Shanghai-based sino-foreign joint venture, Cascade Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has reportedly raised RMB140 million in a recent financing round. The investors included a prestigious group of Puhua Capital, CAS Investment, HD Capital, Lapam Capital, and New Act Investment. The funds raised will be directed towards intensifying Phase II clinical studies for their FXR agonist CS0159 in both the US and China, as well as IND filing and Phase I clinical trials for their existing pipelines.
Focus on Metabolic Diseases and Nuclear Receptor Targets
Founded in 2017, Cascade Pharmaceuticals specializes in developing drugs that target nuclear receptors and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), with a particular focus on metabolic diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
CS0159: A Promising FXR Agonist for NASH
Cascade’s flagship product, CS0159, holds fast-track and orphan drug designation (ODD) statuses in the US and is currently the subject of a NASH Phase II study in the country. It has also initiated a Phase II study in China with multiple indications. CS0159 is a novel, potent non-steroidal FXR small molecule agonist developed using crystal structure-assisted design. Preclinical studies have demonstrated strong FXR agonist activity and liver-targeted distribution, significantly improving the pathological conditions of NASH mouse models. The product is characterized by a low onset dose, significant efficacy, and good tolerance. Phase I clinical trial results from both China and the United States have shown that CS0159 exhibits good safety and tolerability.
Advancements in Pipeline and IND Filings
In addition to CS0159, Cascade Pharmaceuticals is preparing three other novel molecules for IND filings, indicating a robust pipeline and a commitment to advancing new treatments for metabolic diseases.-Fineline Info & Tech
