Escient Pharmaceuticals Raises $77.5 Million Series B Round and Initiates a Phase 1/1b Clinical Trial of EP547, a MRGPR-targeted Therapy to Treat Cholestatic and Uremic Pruritus

Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an industry-leading company developing Mas-related G Protein-Coupled Receptor (MRGPR)-targeted drugs to address serious, underserved medical needs across a broad range of therapeutic indications, today announced the completion of a $77.5 million Series B financing and the initiation of a Phase 1/1b clinical trial of EP547, a MRGPRX4-targeted product candidate to treat cholestatic and uremic pruritus. The round was led by Sanofi Ventures and Cowen Healthcare Investments (CHI) with participation by new investors Redmile Group and Perceptive Advisors. All of the company’s existing investors, including The Column Group, 5AM Ventures, and Osage University Partners, participated in the round. Escient discovered and is developing EP547 based on the novel finding of disease-related accumulation of key metabolites that specifically activate the MRGPRX4 itch receptor and will use these proceeds to support clinical development