Australian biotech startup OccuRx has announcesd a $16 million cash injection to progress into clinical phase studies for its oral therapy for inflammation and fibrosis, one of the leading causes of deaths globally.

This investment in OccuRx was jointly led by Brandon BioCatalyst and Uniseed and also includes a $1.5 million grant from CUREator, Australia’s biomedical incubator.

The funding raised enables OccuRx to progress the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) clinical program for the lead compound OCX-063, following successful outcomes in a healthy volunteer Phase I clinical trial.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects millions of patients worldwide, often as a result of other long-term illnesses, such as diabetes or cardiovascular conditions, where damage or trauma to the kidneys may lead to fibrosis. Unmanaged CKD often progresses to kidney failure, with patients requiring long-term dialysis or organ transplantation. There are currently no treatments available for kidney fibrosis, placing a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems alike.

OccuRx is progressing and validating novel targets that have been shown to mediate signalling pathways associated with inflammation and fibrosis in the development and progression of fibrotic diseases of major organs such as the eye and kidney.