• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Drug Delivery Business

  • Clinical Trials
  • Research & Development
  • Drug-Device Combinations
  • FDA
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Policy

Rgenix raises $40M to develop novel cancer drugs

October 10, 2018 By Nancy Crotti

Biopharma startup Rgenix said it has raised $40 million in Series C financing to further develop its clinical and pre-clinical oncology programs and for general corporate purposes.

New York City-based Rgenix has discovered several novel RNA-regulated cancer targets that drive tumor growth and cancer progression, according to its website. These targets regulate key components of the tumor microenvironment, including immune cells and cancer metabolism pathways.

The Series C financing was led by Lepu Medical, a publicly traded global healthcare firm, and includes Oceanpine Capital and WuXi AppTec’s Corporate Venture Fund. Existing investors also participated in the financing round, including Novo Holdings, Sofinnova Partners, Alexandria Venture Investments, and the Partnership Fund for New York City’s Innovate NY Fund and associated entities.

The financing will support Phase 1b/2 clinical trials of the lead program RGX-104 in multiple cancer indications, including in checkpoint inhibitor refractory patients. It will also support early clinical development of RGX-202, a first-in-class cancer metabolism program, as well as discovery stage programs arising from the Rgenix target discovery platform.

RGX-104 is a first-in-class small-molecule immunotherapy that targets the Liver X Receptor (LXR) and modulates innate immunity by activating the ApoE gene. Data from a Phase 1a dose escalation of RGX-104 in advanced cancer patients demonstrated both immune-stimulatory and anti-tumor activity, according to the company. Rgenix is currently enrolling patients in the Phase 1b stage of the trial in multiple cancer indications, including in combination with the checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab.

RGX-202 is a small-molecule compound that suppresses gastrointestinal cancer progression by inhibiting a novel cancer metabolism pathway involved in supplying energy to cancer cells. Pre-clinical research shows the compound is active as a monotherapy and, in combination with chemotherapy, is considered to be the standard of care. Rgenix expects to launch a Phase 1 trial of RGX-202 later this year.

“Lepu Medical is very pleased to make this investment in Rgenix. We truly appreciate Rgenix’s unique RNA target discovery approach in identifying various first-in-class cancer targets. We also believe RGX-104 has great potential with checkpoint inhibitors across many important cancer types,” said Lepu Medical CEO Zhongjie Pu in a prepared statement. “As Lepu Medical has PD-1, PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors and an oncolytic virus in clinical trials, we also look forward to exploring possible collaborative opportunities with Rgenix as part of our goal to develop further in the oncology market together.”

Filed Under: Funding Roundup, Oncology, Preclinical Trials, Uncategorized Tagged With: rgenix

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

  • Medtronic to invest $50M in India Diabetes center
  • Flat Medical partners with Mercury Medical on smart syringe distribution
  • Glucotrack to effect a reverse stock split
  • Medtronic unveils ‘MiniMed’ as name for soon-to-be separated Diabetes unit
  • Insulet, Marvel collab to unveil comic book hero with type 1 diabetes

Primary Sidebar

“ddb
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest news and trends happening now in drug delivery.

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.

Footer

Drug Delivery Business News Logo

MassDevice Medical NETWORK

MassDevice
DeviceTalks
Medical Tubing + Extrusion
Medical Design & Outsourcing
MedTech100 Index
Drug Discovery & Development
Pharmaceutical Processing World
Medical Design Sourcing
R&D World

DRUG DELIVERY BUSINESS NEWS

Subscribe to Drug Delivery’s E-Newsletter
Advertise with us
About
Contact us
Privacy
Listen to our Weekly Podcasts

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy | RSS