New Investment from Forbion and Sofinnova Partners
MANCHESTER, UK, 4 August 2022 – F2G Ltd, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapies to treat life-threatening rare fungal infections with a high unmet medical need, today announces a $70 million financing. The financing was co-led by new investors Forbion and Sofinnova Partners with strong participation from existing investors, Novo Holdings, Morningside Ventures, Cowen Healthcare Investments and Advent Life Sciences. The proceeds from the financing in addition to the $480 million from the recent strategic collaboration with Shionogi & Co., Ltd., will enable F2G to advance late-stage development and commercialization in the US of olorofim, a novel oral antifungal therapy to treat invasive aspergillosis (IA) and other rare mold infections. Nanna Lüneborg of Forbion and Joe Anderson of Sofinnova Partners will join the F2G Board of Directors.
Olorofim represents the first novel class of antifungals developed in the past 20 years and is the only antifungal medication to be awarded a Breakthrough Therapy Designation for multiple indications by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Olorofim works through a unique mechanism of action, different from existing classes of antifungals, exerting fungicidal activity through inhibition of the pyrimidine synthesis pathway. It is anticipated to be used to treat patients with a serious invasive, rare fungal disease where existing treatments are inappropriate or no longer effective. Data from F2G’s open Phase 2b study in patients with rare and resistant molds, who have limited treatment options, will be presented at ID Week annual conference in October.
Francesco Maria Lavino, Chief Executive Officer of F2G, said: “We are delighted to attract this additional capital from such high caliber late-stage investors to F2G, and welcome Nanna and Joe to the Board. Their experience will be invaluable as we move to our next stage of growth. This is a pivotal year for the Company. We are building a world class team with commercial, operational and dealmaking experience as we prepare for final development and commercialization of olorofim in the US. If approved, olorofim is expected to be the first new class of anti-fungal with a novel, differentiated mechanism of action in more than 20 years and will address genuine unmet needs in conditions with high morbidity and mortality.”
Nanna Lüneborg, General Partner at Forbion, commented: “The Forbion Growth Opportunities Fund II focuses on promising late-stage European life sciences companies like F2G. We have been very impressed with the significant progress achieved to date and we are pleased to support this highly impactful Company in its next stage of growth as it pursues commercialization of olorofim in the US.”
Joe Anderson, Partner at Sofinnova Partners, said: “We aim to support outstanding companies developing innovative treatments for life-threatening disease. With its highly experienced team, F2G has made significant progress over recent years and is now close to bringing its breakthrough product to market for patients with limited treatment options. We look forward to working with management, the board and our co-investors as the company moves into this important phase in its development and growth.”
In May 2022, F2G entered a $480million strategic collaboration with Shionogi & Co., Ltd. to develop and commercialize olorofim in Europe and Asia which included $100 million in upfront payment and $380 million in regulatory and commercialization milestones plus double-digit royalties on sales.
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