Blackstone Life Sciences is making a $250 million investment in Anagram Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The funding is designated to support the further development, regulatory approval, and global launch of ANG003, a novel enzyme replacement therapy.
Addressing Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) EPI occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough digestive enzymes to break down food and absorb nutrients.
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Causes: It is commonly associated with cystic fibrosis (CF), pancreatic cancer, and other pancreatic disorders.
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Impact: Patients suffer from malnutrition, fatty acid abnormalities, and severe gastrointestinal symptoms, leading to reduced quality of life and life expectancy.
ANG003: A breakthrough in treatment Currently, patients with EPI face a “highly disruptive” pill burden, often requiring up to 40 capsules daily. ANG003 aims to transform this experience:
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Innovation: It is an oral recombinant enzyme replacement therapy and may become the first non-porcine extract product available on the market for this indication.
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Clinical Progress: Following compelling clinical data in patients with EPI due to CF, Anagram is initiating an international Phase II trial for the asset.
Strategic Partnership Blackstone’s investment follows over $30 million in previous funding from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Blackstone leadership noted that their scale capital and deep domain expertise are well-positioned to help Anagram address large unmet medical needs for the CF community and others living with EPI.