FELIQS Corporation, a biotechnology company developing first-in-class small molecule therapeutics targeting oxidized lipids for rare pediatric retinal diseases, announced the successful completion of a $9 million Series A funding round. The round was co-led by a major American pharmaceutical company and Beyond Next Ventures Inc., with additional participation from Japan Science and Technology Agency and existing investors including Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd., Keio Innovation Initiative, Inc. and FFG Venture Business Partners Co., Ltd.
The investment will enable FELIQS to accelerate clinical development of FLQ-101, its lead candidate for the prevention of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a potentially blinding disease affecting premature infants. FLQ-101 represents a novel therapeutic approach as a once-daily oral or intravenous solution designed to enhance physiological retinal vascularization and protect against inflammation and abnormal neovascularization.
Regulatory Recognition and Clinical Timeline
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted FLQ-101 both Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations in 2024, recognizing its potential to address a significant unmet medical need in neonatal care. The Phase 1b/2 tROPhy-1 study is scheduled to commence in summer 2025 in the United States, marking a critical milestone for the company's first-in-human clinical program.
"We are honored to receive lead support from a major American company and Beyond Next Ventures and participation from Japan Science & Technology and existing investors," said Dr. Ken-ichiro (Nobu) Kuninobu, Co-Founder and CEO of FELIQS. "This investment provides critical momentum as we advance our first-in-human clinical study and build a robust pipeline of targeted treatments for pediatric patients who have long been underserved."
Strategic Use of Funding
FELIQS plans to use the proceeds to expand its operational and clinical development teams, accelerate key milestones in the U.S. clinical program, and strengthen collaborative research initiatives in the United States. The funding represents a significant step forward for the Fukuoka, Japan-based company, which was founded in 2019 and leverages a unique drug discovery platform focused on oxidized lipids to address unmet medical needs in ophthalmology.
Novel Therapeutic Platform
The company's approach targets oxidized lipids, representing a first-in-class mechanism for treating rare pediatric retinal diseases. This platform addresses a critical gap in treatment options for premature infants at risk of developing ROP, a condition that can lead to blindness if left untreated. WBB Securities LLC acted as the placement agent and Latham & Watkins provided legal counsel to FELIQS in this transaction.
