Berlin-based OMEICOS Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in preventing and treating cardiovascular and ophthalmic diseases, has just raised €17 million in Series C financing.
Founded in 2013, OMEICOS’ mission is to develop a safer treatment for long-term heart rhythm control for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation – a heart arrhythmia characterized by an irregular and rapid heartbeat that can result in palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Long-term, atrial fibrillation can lead to serious health problems, including coronary artery disease and even heart failure. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart arrhythmia, affecting an estimated 33.5 million people worldwide – a number that is expected to increase as does life expectancy. Meanwhile, current available therapies for the condition are limited in their safety and efficacy. The treatments being developed by OMEICOS use molecular compounds from naturally occurring metabolites of omega-3 fatty acids that can activate anti-arrhythmic, cardio-protective, and anti-inflammatory pathways.
The medtech startup will use the new funding to finance a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study on its new treatment for patients for persistent atrial fibrillation, called OMT-28.
The financing round was led by new investor Forbion, with participation from several existing investors including Vesalius Biocapital II S.A. SICAR, Remiges BioPharma Fund, SMS group GmbH, KFW Group, VC Fonds Technologie Berlin, High-Tech Gründerfonds II and The Falck Revocable Trust.
Robert Fischer, MD, CEO/CSO of OMEICOS Therapeutics commented: “This financing arrives in a particularly exciting time for the OMEICOS team as we accelerate plans to initiate our Phase II study of OMT-28, OMEICOS’ novel safe rhythm stabilizer developed for patients with atrial fibrillation. The investment of Forbion confirms the excellent work of the entire team and supports our ambitious plans in atrial fibrillation and other indications.”
Holger Reithinger, Ph.D. General Partner at Forbion added: “We’ve been following the OMEICOS story for some time and are very positive about the progress. The unique concept of a novel treatment for atrial fibrillation together with the excellent safety data of OMT-28 convinced us to invest and support the future growth of the company.”
