Cortexyme Raises $15 Million in Series A Financing

Today, Breakout Labs grantee Cortexyme announced that it has raised $15 million in Series A financing. The round was led by Pfizer Inc. along with new investment from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., through its venture arm, and other private investors. Existing investors such as Dolby Family Ventures also participated.

The funding will be used for ongoing development of novel therapeutics and diagnostics for Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative disorders.

“We believe Cortexyme has a unique and powerful approach targeting a pathogenic cause of neurodegeneration,” said Casey Lynch, CEO of Cortexyme. “We are looking forward to bringing our novel small molecule candidates to the clinic.”

Margi McLoughlin, Executive Director, Worldwide Business Development for Pfizer, Ilan Zipkin, Senior Investment Director at Takeda, and David Lamond, President of Lamond Capital will join the Cortexyme Board of Directors.

“At Takeda, we are committed to pursuing innovation to solve the biggest unmet medical needs,” said Ilan Zipkin. “Cortexyme’s approach has the potential to be a game changer in the Alzheimer’s field.”

Cortexyme previously raised $1.025 million including an investment award from Breakout Labs.

“Pfizer ($PFE) has stepped in to lead a $15 million round for South San Francisco-based Cortexyme, which is working on new therapies for Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative diseases.”
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