What is Imara?
Imara, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on creating innovative treatments for patients suffering from sickle cell disease and related hemoglobinopathies. The company's lead candidate, IMR-687, is a selective PDE9 inhibitor designed to address the underlying pathology of sickle cell disease by reducing red blood cell sickling and preventing white blood cell adherence to the vascular endothelium. This dual-action mechanism aims to decrease the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises, a hallmark of the disease. IMR-687 has advanced through Phase 1 trials and is currently undergoing Phase 2a evaluation in adult patients, with plans to expand into pediatric sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia patient populations.
How much funding has Imara raised?
Imara has raised a total of $94M across 2 funding rounds:
Series A
$31M
Series B
$63M
Series A (2016): $31M with participation from Alexandria Venture Investments., Lundbeckfond Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, and Bay City Capital
Series B (2019): $63M, investors not publicly disclosed
Key Investors in Imara
Alexandria Venture Investments.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. is a real estate investment trust specializing in properties for the life sciences industry, providing essential infrastructure for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Lundbeckfond Ventures
Lundbeckfond Ventures is a venture capital arm of the Lundbeck Foundation, focusing on investments in biotech and pharmaceutical companies, particularly those with a strong emphasis on brain research and related therapeutic areas.
New Enterprise Associates
New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a prominent venture capital firm established in 1977, known for its broad investment focus across various technology and healthcare sectors, supporting entrepreneurs in building significant businesses.
What's next for Imara?
The recent major strategic investment provides Imara with substantial resources to advance the clinical development of IMR-687. The company is poised to expand its research into pediatric sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, indicating a strategic growth phase. This capital infusion is critical for navigating the complexities of late-stage clinical trials and regulatory submissions, positioning Imara to potentially bring a significant therapeutic option to patients with unmet medical needs in the hemoglobinopathy space.
See full Imara company page
