# Expansion Therapeutics

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/expansion-therapeutics

- Industry: Biotechnology
- Headquarters: Jupiter, US
- Website: www.expansionrx.com
- Total disclosed funding: $73M
- Latest round: Series B (Sep 29, 2021)
- Investors on record: 11

## About

Expansion Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing transformative oral medicines that target RNA to treat severe RNA-mediated diseases, primarily major neurological disorders.Founded in 2016 in Jupiter, US, Expansion Therapeutics specializes in RNA-targeting therapies. The company has raised a total of USD 48.03 mn across 2 deals as it continues to develop its small molecule RNA platform. The latest funding round was a Series B on September 29, 2021, led by Cormorant Asset Management with participation from several notable investors. CEO Renato Skerlj oversees operations, while the company was founded by Matthew Disney, who brings a wealth of knowledge in RNA research.Expansion Therapeutics specializes in the development of transformative oral medicines that target RNA to address severe RNA-mediated diseases, particularly major neurological disorders. Central to their product offerings is the innovative platform focused on Small Molecules interacting with RNA (SMiRNA), which is based on foundational research by scientific founder Matt Disney. These products aim to provide therapeutic solutions for conditions lacking effective treatments and are marketed mainly in North America and selected international markets.Expansion Therapeutics generates revenue primarily through partnerships and collaborations within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. The company engages in business-to-business transactions with healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical companies interested in its SMiRNA technology for therapeutic development. Revenue generation is further supported by milestone payments and royalties tied to clinical trial successes, alongside potential licensing agreements for proprietary technologies.The most recent funding of USD 48.03 mn raised in September 2021 will be utilized to advance its SMiRNA platform to identify clinical candidates for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and various tauopathies. Expansion Therapeutics aims to launch new products targeting neurological diseases and plans to explore additional markets, with specific geographic expansion strategies to be announced as they progress.

## Funding rounds

- Series B, Sep 29, 2021, $48M — Kleiner Perkins, Novartis Venture Fund, 5AM Ventures, Sanofi Ventures, RA Capital Management, Cormorant Asset Management, Surveyor Capital, Westlake Village BioPartners, Logos Capital
- Series A, Jan 3, 2018, $25M — Kleiner Perkins, Novartis Venture Fund, Alexandria Venture Investments, 5AM Ventures, Sanofi

## Investors

- Kleiner Perkins (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/kleiner-perkins) — Series A, Series B
- Novartis Venture Fund (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/novartis-venture-fund) — Series A, Series B
- Alexandria Venture Investments (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/alexandria-venture-investments) — Series A
- 5AM Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/5am-ventures) — Series A, Series B
- Sanofi — Series A
- Sanofi Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/sanofi-ventures) — Series B
- RA Capital Management (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/ra-capital-management) — Series B
- Cormorant Asset Management (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/cormorant-asset-management) — Series B
- Surveyor Capital — Series B
- Westlake Village BioPartners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/westlake-village-biopartners) — Series B
- Logos Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/logos-capital) — Series B