What is Charlesson?
Charlesson is an early-stage drug development company dedicated to treating prevalent retinal diseases such as diabetic macular edema (DME) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Founded in 2003 by Dr. Jian-Xing Ma and Dr. Yan Feng, the company leverages expertise in diabetes research to address unmet needs in retinal care, aiming for less invasive therapeutic solutions than current standards. Beyond its drug pipeline, Charlesson operates a world-class contract research organization (CRO) offering specialized animal models and assays. The company has a history of securing substantial state and federal grants from entities including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Oklahoma Center for Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), and the Oklahoma Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) Fund. With its lead candidate, CLT-005, a topical treatment for Wet AMD, Charlesson has previously raised over $10 million and projected self-sufficiency by mid-2010, prior to its IND filing.
How much funding has Charlesson raised?
Charlesson has raised a total of $150K across 1 funding round:
Debt
$150K
Debt (2020): $150K with participation from PPP
Key Investors in Charlesson
PPP
Public-Private Partnership
What's next for Charlesson?
The substantial late-stage funding positions Charlesson for accelerated clinical development and potential commercialization of its therapeutic candidates. This strategic investment is likely to fuel the expansion of its research and development efforts, particularly for its lead compound CLT-005 targeting Wet AMD. The company's focus on less invasive treatments and its established CRO services suggest a dual strategy for growth, potentially enhancing its market penetration and revenue streams. Future endeavors will likely involve navigating regulatory pathways and scaling operations to meet the demands of its expanding pipeline and market opportunities.
See full Charlesson company page
