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The company will launch its breakthrough technology-platform dedicated to identifying next-generation therapeutic peptides 

PeptiMimesis, a biopharma company dedicated to the discovery and development of therapeutic transmembrane peptides, today announces the release of the €0.5m ($0.6m) first tranche of a €1.2m ($1.4m) investment made by Cap Innov’Est, a regionally-based seed fund.

The company will use this funding to initiate its research activities on the design and characterization of transmembrane peptides. PeptiMimesis aims to rapidly identify peptide candidates acting on validated targets in oncology, immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases.

“PeptiMimesis is a very promising start-up company in the Cap Innov’Est portfolio,” said Jean-François Rax, investment director at Cap Innov’Est. "It has a highly experienced team, bringing together the academic founders, with great scientific knowledge in the field, and Domain Therapeutics’ preclinical research expertise and cutting-edge technology. It also signed a collaboration agreement with IPSEN, only 6 months after incorporation. This is the ideal configuration for rapid value creation."

“We are very pleased to see Cap Innov’Est joining the company to leverage the potential of PeptiMimesis’ platform in the identification of first-in-class therapeutic peptides,” said Marjorie Sidhoum, president of PeptiMimesis. “We welcome follow-on investments to complete this series A and further accelerate the development of this innovative therapeutic strategy.”

About therapeutic peptides
There are more than 60 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved peptide medicines currently on the market. This is expected to grow significantly, with approximately 140 peptide drugs in clinical trials and more than 500 therapeutic peptides in preclinical development. In terms of value, the global peptide drug market is predicted to increase from $14.1bn (€12.4bn) in 2011 to an estimated $25.4bn (€22.4bn) in 2018, with an underlying increase in novel innovative peptide drugs from $8.6bn (€7.7bn) in 2011 (60%) to $17.0bn (€15.0bn) in 2018 (66%).

About transmembrane therapeutic peptides
Peptides possess key competitive advantages over antibodies, such as a faster drug discovery process and reduced manufacturing cost. In addition, the novel class of peptides developed by PeptiMimesis presents lower immunogenicity as they are rapidly inserted within targeted cellular membranes. The peptides also demonstrate an amplified therapeutic efficacy through indirect inhibition of multiple co-receptors and their associated signalling pathways. This innovative approach relies on the disruption of dimerization of membrane receptors using peptides that interfere with the transmembrane sites of oligomerization.

About PeptiMimesis
Created in October 2015, PeptiMimesis is a biopharmaceutical company based in Strasbourg, France, dedicated to the discovery and development of transmembrane therapeutic peptides. The company’s proprietary platform will deliver a set of drug candidates that act on validated targets in the field of immuno-oncology, oncology and immune diseases. PeptiMimesis’ business model aims to move forward internal assets up to a significant value inflexion point before out-licensing them to pharma partners. PeptiMimesis has recently signed its first collaboration deal with IPSEN and is looking to establish further partnerships on its unique technology with pharma and biotech companies.

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