- RSV causes 30 million infections and 200,000 deaths worldwide in children under 5 alone
- The company's lead candidate, RV521, is currently in Ph II trials
ReViral, an antiviral drug discovery and development company, focused on diseases caused by the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), today announced the successful completion of a US $55 million Series B financing.
The new funding will enable ReViral to progress its lead drug candidate (RV521), a highly potent and orally bioavailable potential treatment for RSV infections, into Phase IIa pediatric and adult trials, and to continue the development of a novel series of antiviral inhibitors targeting RSV replication. RV521 is soon expected to enter an international multi-center Phase IIa pediatric trial. This study will be followed by additional trials in adult stem cell transplant patients.
RSV is the most important respiratory pathogen, with 30 million infections and an estimated 200,000 deaths worldwide annually in children under five years alone. There are currently no approved RSV therapies available, and there is an urgent need for improved drugs for this indication.
The financing was jointly led by New Leaf Venture Partners and Novo Ventures, part of Novo Holdings A/S, with additional new investment from Perceptive Advisors. Existing investors Andera Partners, OrbiMed and Brace Pharma Capital also participated in the fundraise. In conjunction with the financing, representatives of New Leaf Ventures and Novo Ventures will be joining the ReViral Board of Directors.
Nanna Luneborg, Partner at Novo Ventures, added: “We have been following the RSV field for some time and see ReViral as a leader in this space. We are delighted to offer our investment expertise, furthering the development of the Company as it moves into pediatric trials.”
In addition to its lead candidate, RV521, the company also has three other candidates targeting RSV in various stages of development.