Swiss biotech company Noema Pharma secures CHF130m to advance CNS therapies

Basel, Switzerland-based Noema Pharma, a clinical-stage biotech company, has announced the successful close of its Series B financing round extension, securing CHF 130 million (approximately USD 147 million). This significant funding milestone, led by EQT Life Sciences, highlights the growing investor confidence in Noema Pharma’s ability to develop transformative CNS therapies.

The financing aims to advance four key Phase 2 trials, all of which target debilitating central nervous system (CNS) disorders with limited treatment options. This round builds on prior investments from an established syndicate of global biotech investors, including Forbion, Jeito Capital, Sofinnova Partners, Gilde Healthcare, Polaris Partners, Invus, and UPMC Enterprises.

Why This Financing Matters

CNS disorders, including trigeminal neuralgia (TN), tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), and Tourette syndrome, represent some of the most complex challenges in modern medicine. Despite affecting millions globally, these conditions have historically been underserved due to the intricate nature of the diseases and a lack of effective therapies. Noema Pharma aims to bridge this gap by advancing a neurological treatment pipeline that addresses these unmet needs with innovative therapies.

The CHF 130 million will provide critical funding for late-stage clinical programs. These include Phase 2 trials for basimglurant (NOE-101), a drug targeting TN-related pain and seizures in TSC; gemlapodect (NOE-105), aimed at Tourette syndrome and childhood-onset fluency disorder (COFD); and NOE-115, designed to tackle CNS-mediated vasomotor symptoms and other menopause-related issues.

EQT Life Sciences Leads the Way

EQT Life Sciences, which spearheaded the Series B extension, joins Noema Pharma’s investor base at a pivotal moment in its growth trajectory. The funding is part of EQT’s strategy to back innovative, clinical-stage biotech companies working on high-impact therapies. Felice Verduyn-van Weegen, Partner at EQT, described Noema’s portfolio as uniquely positioned to transform patient outcomes in complex CNS disorders.

Verduyn-van Weegen, now a member of Noema Pharma’s Board of Directors, noted that the decision to invest was driven by confidence in both Noema’s leadership and its pipeline’s potential. The company’s CEO, Dr. Ilise Lombardo, was praised for her exceptional track record in neurology-focused biotech ventures, underscoring her ability to steer Noema toward becoming a leader in the CNS space.

CEO Highlights Vision for Transformative CNS Therapies

Dr. Lombardo expressed enthusiasm for the addition of EQT Life Sciences to their growing syndicate of supporters. She emphasized that the latest funding round not only validates Noema Pharma’s approach but also positions the company to deliver life-changing solutions for patients suffering from conditions often deemed untreatable.

“This financing will enable us to reach significant milestones in 2025 as we progress through clinical trials,” she stated. Lombardo reaffirmed Noema’s commitment to addressing the needs of patients with severe, underserved CNS disorders.

A Track Record of Strategic Funding

The recent Series B extension follows the March 2023 announcement of CHF 103 million raised during the initial Series B round. This was preceded by a CHF 54 million Series A round in December 2020. Since its founding in 2019, with seed investment from Sofinnova Partners, Noema Pharma has steadily scaled its capabilities, demonstrating a strategic approach to advancing its neurological treatment pipeline.

Key Insights on the Neurological Treatment Pipeline

The cornerstone of Noema Pharma’s pipeline lies in its diverse range of investigational drugs targeting conditions that have seen little therapeutic progress in the past:

Basimglurant (NOE-101): A negative allosteric modulator of mGluR5, this therapy is being developed to treat pain in TN and seizures associated with TSC, both conditions with profound unmet needs.

Gemlapodect (NOE-105): A PDE10a inhibitor under investigation for Tourette syndrome and COFD, promising to improve quality of life for individuals living with these challenging conditions.

NOE-115: A broad-spectrum monoamine modulator aimed at vasomotor symptoms and CNS-related menopausal issues, offering a novel therapeutic approach to managing symptoms that significantly impact daily living.

What’s Next for Noema Pharma?

With the additional funding in place, Noema Pharma is set to deliver key data readouts from all four Phase 2 trials by 2025. These readouts will provide crucial insights into the efficacy of its pipeline and could pave the way for late-stage trials and, eventually, regulatory submissions.

Investors and stakeholders alike view these developments as pivotal for addressing central nervous system disorders, where treatment gaps remain vast. By focusing on therapies that can fundamentally improve patient outcomes, Noema Pharma is positioning itself as a leader in the CNS drug development space.

Addressing High-Impact CNS Challenges

CNS disorders affect hundreds of millions worldwide, often leaving patients with few effective treatment options. The high unmet need in this field demands innovative solutions, which Noema Pharma is actively pursuing. The company’s clinical-stage biotech expertise and focus on developing first-in-disease therapies could significantly reshape how these disorders are managed.

The latest funding not only fuels progress in its clinical programs but also reinforces Noema Pharma’s mission to deliver therapies that transform lives. If the upcoming trial results are successful, the company could redefine therapeutic standards in CNS care, offering new hope to underserved patients globally.