Cardurion Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, has raised a $260 million Series B financing led by Ascenta Capital, with participation by new investors NEA, GV, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Millennium Management, Farallon Capital Management, Invus, Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities, Delos Capital and Digitalis Ventures, as well as existing investors Bain Capital Life Sciences and Bain Capital Private Equity.

Proceeds from the financing will be used to support later-stage clinical trials with the company’s two lead drug candidates, a first-in-class phosphodiesterase-9 (PDE9) inhibitor for heart failure and the first clinical-stage Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor with broad therapeutic potential.

In addition, the funding will be used to expand the cardiovascular indications for Cardurion’s portfolio of drug candidates, to progress internal discovery programs and to acquire additional therapeutic assets targeting unmet needs in the cardiovascular disease area. 

“We are excited to welcome Ascenta Capital and this high-quality group of new investors who share our vision to be a world-class cardiovascular innovator, pursuing treatments for a broad range of debilitating diseases,” said Peter Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer of Cardurion. “Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the world, and we are pursuing new therapeutic targets to address unmet needs for patients with these diseases.”

Based on recent clinical validation of Cardurion’s PDE9 program, the company is now evaluating its lead PDE9 inhibitor, CRD‑750, in two Phase 2 clinical trials in 640 patients with both types of heart failure, HFrEF and HFpEF. The company also has an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial for its lead CaMKII inhibitor, CRD-4730, for the treatment of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), a rare genetic arrhythmic disease. Cardurion also plans to pursue development of CaMKII inhibitors in additional major cardiovascular indications. This new investment will enable the company to scale its team and continue to build industry-leading capabilities in cardiovascular drug innovation.

In conjunction with this financing, Evan Rachlin, MD, Co-Founder and Managing Partner from Ascenta Capital, Dan Lynch, Executive Venture Partner from GV, and Ed Mathers, Partner from NEA, will join the Cardurion Board of Directors.