Revier Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing targeted therapies for cardiometabolic diseases, has raised €6 million in Seed financing and launched operations. The round was led by KHAN Technology Transfer Fund II, with participation from High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), VORNvc and private investors through Revier Invest Heidelberg.
Advancing Cardiometabolic Therapies
The funding will support Revier’s preclinical pipeline, including a lead program for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and a second program targeting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Capital will also support operational, scientific and clinical development.
“Despite significant progress in cardiovascular medicine, millions of patients with HFpEF and ASCVD still to date face limited targeted treatment options,” said Prof. Eva van Rooij, PhD, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Revier Therapeutics. “We believe the next generation of cardiometabolic medicines needs to address the underlying disease-driving biology to deliver impactful and long-term solutions for patients. Our mission is to translate the scientific potential of class IIa HDAC inhibition into a pipeline of novel therapies and rapidly advance our lead programs toward the clinic to create long-term value for both patients and the broader healthcare ecosystem.”
Targeting Class IIa HDACs
Revier has developed a therapeutic approach designed to selectively target class IIa histone deacetylases (HDACs), enzymes associated with cardiometabolic diseases. The strategy builds on research led by scientific founder Prof. Johannes Backs at Heidelberg University.
Prof. Johannes Backs, MD, scientific founder of Revier Therapeutics added: “While first generation HDAC inhibitors broadly targeted multiple HDAC classes resulting in dose-limiting side effects, Revier’s first-in-class small molecules selectively target class IIa HDACs. These compounds specifically inhibit the disease-driving enzymatic activity while preserving the essential functions of class IIa HDACs and canonical class I HDACs. This precise mode of action is designed to be therapeutically effective while maintaining a beneficial safety profile.”
“Revier’s differentiated class IIa HDAC strategy in cardiometabolic disease has the potential to unlock the therapeutic promise of HDAC biology while overcoming limitations associated with earlier class I HDAC approaches,” said Michael Hamacher, PhD, Managing Partner and CFO at KHAN Technology Transfer Fund II. “Combined with an exceptional leadership team and deep scientific expertise, the company has a unique opportunity to deliver disease-modifying medicines and reshape the standard of care by providing durable benefit for patients with HFpEF, ASCVD and related cardiometabolic disorders.”
Building the Leadership Team
Alongside the financing, Revier announced a leadership team spanning cardiovascular science, drug discovery and clinical development. The team includes scientific founder Prof. Johannes Backs, CEO Prof. Eva van Rooij, CTO Mike Nolan, CSO Matthias Dewenter and CMO Prof. Norbert Frey.
The Seed round will support development of Revier’s first-in-class small-molecule programs toward clinical evaluation, with an initial focus on HFpEF and ASCVD.