# Escient Pharmaceuticals

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/escient-pharmaceuticals

- Industry: Biotechnology
- Headquarters: San Diego, US
- Website: www.escientpharma.com
- Total disclosed funding: $109M
- Latest round: Series C (Nov 14, 2022)
- Investors on record: 14

## About

Established in 2018 by co-founders Alain D. Baron and Marcus F. Boehm and based in California, US, Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. focuses on G protein-coupled receptors drugs (MRGPRs) for the treatment of serious diseases including chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, asthma, and severe pruritus. In April 2024, Incyte Corporation agreed to acquire Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from Abingworth, Forge Life Science Partners, New Enterprise Associates, Avego, PFM Health Sciences, The Eleven Fund, Altitude Life Science Ventures, Cowen Investment Management, OUP (Osage University Partners), Redmile Group, Sanofi Ventures, The Column Group, 5AM Venture, and Perceptive Advisors for USD 750 million. As of July 2024, the company is led by CEO Joshua Grass.
 
Escient Pharmaceuticals' pipeline includes EP262 and EP547. EP262 is an MRGPRX2 antagonist that targets conditions like chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU), chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and atopic dermatitis (AD). EP262 is designed to inhibit the activity of the MRGPRX2 receptor, which is implicated in these dermatological conditions. By blocking this receptor, EP262 reduces the symptoms and improves the quality of life for patients suffering from these chronic conditions. EP547 (MRGPRX4 Antagonist): This addresses cholestatic pruritus (CP) and uremic pruritus (UP). EP547 targets the MRGPRX4 receptor in pruritic conditions associated with liver and kidney diseases. Additionally, Escient is conducting ongoing research into other Mrgprs, including MRGPRD and MRGPRX1, in the discovery stage.

## Funding rounds

- Series C, Nov 14, 2022, $60M — Abingworth, New Enterprise Associates, 5AM Ventures, OUP (Osage University Partners), Altitude Life Science Ventures, Sanofi Ventures, Avego, Redmile Group, Cowen Investment Management, The Eleven Fund, PFM Health Sciences, Forge Life Science Partners
- Series B, Sep 14, 2020, $39M — 5AM Ventures, The Column Group, OUP (Osage University Partners), Sanofi Ventures, Redmile Group, Cowen Investment Management, Perceptive Advisors
- Series A, Mar 23, 2018, $10M — 5AM Ventures, The Column Group, OUP (Osage University Partners)

## Investors

- 5AM Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/5am-ventures) — Series A, Series B, Series C
- The Column Group (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/the-column-group) — Series A, Series B
- OUP (Osage University Partners) (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/oup-osage-university-partners) — Series A, Series B, Series C
- Sanofi Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/sanofi-ventures) — Series B, Series C
- Redmile Group (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/redmile-group) — Series B, Series C
- Cowen Investment Management — Series B, Series C
- Perceptive Advisors (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/perceptive-advisors) — Series B
- Abingworth (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/abingworth) — Series C
- New Enterprise Associates (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/new-enterprise-associates) — Series C
- Altitude Life Science Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/altitude-life-science-ventures) — Series C
- Avego (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/avego) — Series C
- The Eleven Fund (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/the-eleven-fund) — Series C
- PFM Health Sciences (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/pfm-health-sciences) — Series C
- Forge Life Science Partners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/forge-life-science-partners) — Series C