Singapore-based biotechnology company Nuevocor has successfully raised US$45 million in Series B financing to advance its innovative gene therapy for cardiomyopathy into clinical trials. The funding round was co-led by healthcare-focused investor Kurma Partners and biotech venture capital firm Angelini Ventures, with significant participation from existing investors.
The investment will primarily support the clinical development of Nuevocor's lead candidate, NVC-001, a gene therapy targeting LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy (LMNA DCM), one of the most aggressive forms of heart muscle disease.
Investment Details and Strategic Expansion
The Series B round saw strong participation from existing investors, including Temasek-linked life sciences venture builder ClavystBio, EDBI (the investment platform of the Singapore Economic Development Board), Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Highlight Capital, and Singapore's Seeds Capital.
As part of the financing, Nuevocor will welcome two new board members: Dr. Amanda Gett-Chaperot from Kurma Partners and Dr. Elia Stupka from Angelini Ventures.
The company plans to establish an office in Paris, France, to support its clinical development efforts and facilitate bringing Singapore-developed innovations to patients globally.
Dr. Yann Chong Tan, CEO and Co-Founder of Nuevocor, emphasized the significance of this milestone: "The continued strong support from insiders and the addition of new investors will enable Nuevocor to continue its strong momentum and advance NVC-001 into the clinic. This is an example of how Singapore is bringing transformative innovation to the rest of the world."
Addressing a Critical Unmet Need in Cardiovascular Disease
LMNA DCM is a genetic heart condition caused by mutations in the LMNA gene, which leads to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. The disease typically progresses rapidly toward end-stage heart failure and is associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias that increase the risk of sudden cardiac death.
Current estimates suggest that LMNA DCM affects more than 100,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe, with limited effective treatment options available.
Dr. Amanda Gett-Chaperot, Partner at Kurma Partners, highlighted the significance of Nuevocor's approach: "Nuevocor is providing new hope to a significant population of cardiovascular patients who today lack treatment options by directly targeting the underlying causes of disease. The burden of cardiomyopathies is large, and Kurma is excited to join Nuevocor, investing from our new Biofund IV to create meaningful value through the treatment of these important diseases."
NVC-001: A Novel Mechanobiology-Centered Approach
Unlike traditional gene replacement therapies that focus on replacing defective genes, NVC-001 takes a mechanobiology-centered approach. The therapy is designed to reduce forces to the nucleus to restore nuclear envelope integrity, a hallmark of LMNA DCM.
NVC-001 and other pipeline assets are derived from Nuevocor's proprietary PrOSIA™ mechanobiology platform, which identifies the functional root causes of various cardiomyopathies.
Dr. Elia Stupka, Managing Director at Angelini Ventures, explained their investment rationale: "We are excited by Nuevocor's novel approach to treating genetic-dilated cardiomyopathy by targeting mechanobiological pathways rather than simply replacing genes. This one-time therapy has the potential to transform patient outcomes and ease healthcare burdens."
Clinical Development Timeline
Nuevocor plans to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in early 2026, with sites in both the U.S. and Europe. The trial will be a first-in-human, open-label, multicenter, ascending single-dose study in patients with LMNA DCM. The company will also conduct a concurrent natural history study.
Preclinical data for NVC-001 has been promising, demonstrating dramatic survival benefits in preclinical models, high transduction levels, and a clean safety profile in both GLP toxicology studies and large animal models.
Singapore's Growing Biotech Ecosystem
This significant investment in Nuevocor highlights Singapore's emerging role as a hub for biotechnology innovation. The company represents a success story for Singapore's biotech ecosystem, with strong backing from local investors like ClavystBio and EDBI.
ClavystBio, established by Temasek in 2022, has committed over US$220 million in investments in the life sciences sector, focusing on therapeutics, digital health, and medtech with an emphasis on first-in-class science and technology.
The international expansion of Nuevocor, with planned offices in both the U.S. and Europe, demonstrates how Singapore-based biotech companies are increasingly taking their innovations to global markets, positioning the city-state as a significant player in the global biotechnology landscape.
