Oorja Bio Launches with $30M to Develop Novel Regenerative Therapy for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Key Insights
Oorja Bio (search), a Houston-based startup led by Acceleron Pharma (search) veterans, has launched with $30 million in Series A funding from Westlake BioPartners (search) to develop new treatments for cardiopulmonary and fibrotic diseases (search).
The company plans to begin Phase 2 trials later this year for ORJ-001 (search), a novel therapy designed to restore alveolar epithelial type 2 cell function in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (search) patients.
ORJ-001 (search) represents a regenerative approach that differs from current IPF treatments like Esbriet, Ofev, and Jascayd (search), which only slow disease progression and carry tolerability issues.
Oorja Bio (search), a Houston-based biotechnology startup founded by former Acceleron Pharma (search) executives, has launched with $30 million in Series A funding to develop novel treatments for cardiopulmonary and fibrotic diseases (search). The company announced Tuesday that it plans to begin Phase 2 clinical trials later this year for its lead program, ORJ-001 (search), targeting idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (search).
The startup, backed by Westlake BioPartners (search), licensed ORJ-001 (search) from NIBEC (search), a South Korean biotechnology company, as part of a strategy to identify "assets that could advance in the clinic rapidly," according to CEO Sujay Kango.
Novel Regenerative Approach to IPF Treatment
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (search) is a rare condition characterized by scar tissue buildup in the lungs, causing chronic cough, shortness of breath and fatigue. Current treatment options include Esbriet from Roche, which slows disease progression by preventing scar tissue buildup, and Boehringer Ingelheim's Ofev and recently approved Jascayd (search), both of which block cell-surface receptors linked to fibrosis.
However, none of these therapies stop the disease completely, and all carry tolerability issues, prompting pharmaceutical companies to search for better alternatives. The competitive landscape has attracted significant investment, with Avalyn Pharma (search) raising $300 million in an initial public offering last month.
Oorja is pursuing a differentiated therapeutic approach with ORJ-001 (search), which is designed to restore the function of alveolar epithelial type 2 (AEC2) cells. These cells are located in the tiny air sacs of the lungs and play a crucial role in repairing damage when alveoli are injured. In IPF patients, AEC2 cells are compromised, suggesting that restoring their function might help reverse lung scarring.
Clinical Development Progress
Preclinical research has demonstrated the potential of this regenerative approach, according to the company's Tuesday statement. In an early human study presented at a medical meeting this week, Oorja reported that ORJ-001 (search) was well-tolerated in healthy volunteers, supporting the advancement to Phase 2 trials.
"ORJ-001 (search) represents a different regenerative approach" that might "complement other therapeutic strategies," Kango explained. The company's name derives from the Sanskrit word for "energy," which Kango said "reflects our focus on restoring tissue function and promoting repair in serious fibrotic diseases (search)."
Experienced Leadership Team
The startup is led by veterans from Acceleron Pharma (search), including CEO Sujay Kango and Chief Medical Officer Janethe Pena, who previously collaborated on the development of Winrevair, a blood pressure medication. Merck & Co. (search) acquired Acceleron for more than $11 billion in 2021, highlighting the leadership team's track record in successful drug development.
"We believe the fibrosis field is entering a new era focused on regenerative and disease-modifying approaches that may offer greater benefit for patients," Kango stated, positioning Oorja at the forefront of this therapeutic evolution in fibrotic disease treatment.