Former CinCor Executives Launch AllRock Bio with $50M Funding and Sanofi-Licensed Drug
AllRock Bio, a new biotechnology startup, has emerged on the pharmaceutical scene with a $50 million Series A funding round and a promising drug candidate licensed from Sanofi. The company, founded by former executives of CinCor Pharma, aims to develop innovative treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and related conditions.
Seasoned Leadership and Strategic Partnerships
AllRock Bio's leadership team brings a wealth of experience from their previous venture, CinCor Pharma, which was acquired by AstraZeneca in 2023. Catherine Pearce, AllRock's CEO and co-founder, alongside Chief Scientific Officer Bill Marshall, are spearheading the company's efforts to advance their lead candidate, ROC-101.
The Series A funding round was co-led by Versant Ventures and Westlake BioPartners, with David Allison, a managing director at Westlake BioPartners, playing a key role. Allison's involvement stems from his previous investment in CinCor while at 5AM Ventures, highlighting the continued confidence in this experienced team.
ROC-101: A Promising Pan-ROCK Inhibitor
At the heart of AllRock Bio's pipeline is ROC-101, a pan-ROCK (rho-associated protein kinase) inhibitor licensed from Sanofi. This drug candidate, originally part of Kadmon's portfolio before Sanofi's acquisition in 2021, targets both types of ROCK enzymes, potentially offering a more potent approach to treating PAH.
CEO Catherine Pearce emphasized the drug's potential, stating, "ROC-101 is potentially more potent than similar drugs used off-label for PAH in Japan." The company plans to initiate Phase 2 clinical trials by the end of the year, focusing on PAH and PAH with interstitial lung disease.
Bill Marshall, CSO, highlighted the drug's mechanism, explaining, "A pan-ROCK inhibitor might be particularly helpful in treating PAH because it attacks the inflammatory and fibrotic pathways that effectively clog up a patient's pulmonary arteries."
Strategic Focus and Future Plans
AllRock Bio's immediate focus is on generating compelling data that could attract potential pharmaceutical partners. However, Pearce affirmed the company's readiness to "go the full distance" if necessary, indicating a long-term commitment to drug development.
The $50 million funding is expected to support the company through the end of Phase 2 testing, positioning AllRock Bio for potential partnerships or further independent development. As the pharmaceutical industry closely watches this new entrant, AllRock Bio's progress could signal new advancements in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and related disorders.
References
- Former CinCor execs reunite to helm new biotech startup
Led by former founders of a biotech AstraZeneca acquired in 2023, AllRock Bio is starting out with a drug licensed from Sanofi that’ll be tested against pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Explore Further
What are the specific terms of the licensing agreement between AllRock Bio and Sanofi for ROC-101?
What differentiates ROC-101 from other pan-ROCK inhibitors being studied or used off-label for pulmonary arterial hypertension?
Who are the major competitors in the pulmonary arterial hypertension market and what drugs are they currently developing?
What is the projected market size for treatments targeting pulmonary arterial hypertension and related conditions like interstitial lung disease?
What are the milestones AllRock Bio anticipates reaching during the Phase 2 clinical trials of ROC-101, and how might these impact future funding efforts?