What is Imara?
Imara is dedicated to advancing treatments for patients suffering from sickle cell disease and related hemoglobinopathies. The company's lead candidate, IMR-687, is a selective small molecule inhibitor of PDE9. This therapeutic agent is designed to address the core pathologies of sickle cell disease by reducing red blood cell sickling and mitigating white blood cell adherence to the vascular endothelium, thereby aiming to decrease the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises. Following successful Phase 1 trials, IMR-687 is currently undergoing evaluation in a Phase 2a study, with plans to expand development into pediatric sickle cell disease patients and those with beta thalassemia.
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, Bay City Capital, and New Enterprise Associates
Series B (2019): $63M, investors not publicly disclosed
Key Investors in Imara
Alexandria Venture Investments.
Alexandria Venture Investments is a real estate investment trust focused on 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, specializing in investments within the biomedical and biotech sectors, with a particular interest in brain research.
Bay City Capital
Bay City Capital is a venture capital firm with a strong focus on the life sciences sector, investing in companies that demonstrate significant therapeutic advancements and potential for FDA approval.
What's next for Imara?
The recent major strategic investment signals a critical growth phase for Imara, likely enabling the company to accelerate the clinical development of IMR-687. This infusion of capital is expected to support the progression of ongoing Phase 2a trials and the initiation of planned pediatric and beta thalassemia studies. The company's focus on a well-defined therapeutic target and a clear development pathway positions it to potentially address significant unmet medical needs in the hemoglobinopathy space, attracting further strategic partnerships and investment as it advances through later-stage clinical trials.
See full Imara company page
