Tenpoint Therapeutics Secures $70M to Develop Cell-Based Therapies
Tenpoint Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on vision-restoring engineered cell-based therapeutics and in vivo reprogramming for degenerative ocular diseases, has announced its launch with a $70 million Series A financing. The funding will be used to develop the company's regenerative medicine platform, which aims to replace various lost cell types associated with inherited and age-related conditions.
The Series A round includes new investment from British Patient Capital, as well as continued support from all seed investors, including F-Prime Capital, Sofinnova Partners, Qiming Venture Partners USA, Eight Roads, and the UCL Technology Fund. F-Prime and Sofinnova Partners were the initial investors who provided crucial support during the company's early operational development and technology expansion.
Tenpoint's establishment is built upon the groundbreaking work of its scientific founders from Moorfields Eye Hospital, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, Institut de la Vision in Paris, and the University of Washington. These founders have made significant advancements in engineered cell-based therapeutics and translational research, leading to proof-of-concept establishment.
Leveraging these pivotal achievements, Tenpoint is progressing with the development of ex vivo and in vivo approaches to generate specialized ocular cell types.
“Cell-based therapeutics represent an ideal modality for degenerative ocular diseases since most vision loss results from damaged or missing tissue. In recent years, a number of new technological advancements have converged to make this modality both clinically viable and scalable,” said Eddy Anglade, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Tenpoint. “At Tenpoint, we are focused exclusively on the eye and on harnessing recent advances in regenerative biology to advance our therapies as we work to change the future for people with vision loss by addressing its underlying causes.”
Tenpoint is guided by a team of renowned experts in regenerative medicine and ophthalmology. Eddy Anglade, MD, an experienced professional in clinical development for ophthalmic diseases with significant unmet needs, serves as the CEO. Vanessa King, PhD, the founding CEO of Tenpoint, led the company's financing and will continue to contribute as a strategic advisor. Dr. David Guyer, a distinguished figure in ophthalmology innovation, has been appointed as the Chairman of the board.
Currently the Chief Executive Officer of EyeBio, Dr. Guyer previously served as the Executive Chairman of IVERIC bio, which he co-founded under the name Ophthotech. He also played a crucial role as the co-founder, CEO, and director of Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, overseeing the development and commercialization of Macugen® (pegaptanib sodium), the first FDA-approved anti-VEGF pharmacological treatment for wet AMD.
“Tenpoint has great potential to lead ophthalmology into a new era which will fully replace cells lost to degenerative conditions rather than merely endeavoring to slow the processes that drive vision loss,” said Dr. Guyer. “This offers the potential for more complete restoration of sight and for curative treatments able to eliminate the underlying cause of disease.”
“Tenpoint’s mission is a global one,” said Alex Pasteur, PhD, Partner at F-Prime Capital. “We are delighted to have provided international company creation support to launch such a visionary company.”
“As one of the company’s seed investors, we are pleased to have played a founding role in developing Tenpoint from its inception,” said Graziano Seghezzi, PhD, Managing Partner at Sofinnova Partners. “Tenpoint stands out in the realm of regenerative medicine, with an innovative approach that could ultimately provide a transformative cure to many causes of blindness for millions of patients around the world.”
