ReViral raises US$55m

ReViral focusses on infections caused by the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). It is the most important respiratory pathogen, with 30 million infections and an estimated 200,000 deaths worldwide annually in children under five years alone. There are currently no approved RSV therapies available. 

The new funding will enable Hertfordshire-based ReViral to progress its lead drug candidate (RV521), a highly potent and orally bioavailable potential treatment for Respiratory Syncytial Virus infections, into Phase IIa paediatric and adult trials, and to continue the development of a novel series of antiviral inhibitors targeting RSV replication. RV521 is soon expected to enter an international multicentre Phase IIa paediatric trial. This study will be followed by additional trials in adult stem cell transplant patients.

The financing was jointly led by New Leaf Venture Partners and Novo Ventures, part of Novo Holdings A/S,  with additional new investment from Perceptive Advisors. Existing investors Andera Partners, OrbiMed and Brace Pharma Capital also participated in the fundraise. In conjunction with the financing, representatives of New Leaf Ventures and Novo Ventures will be joining the ReViral Board of Directors.

The lack of treatment options available and the limited competition in RSV offer a significant market for innovative therapies, said Isaac Manke, Partner at New Leaf Venture Partners. We believe ReViral has a truly superior product candidate, and the Company’s focus gives it the potential to build a franchise of RSV programmes, eventually expanding into all the diseases associated with infection by this virus.