Exciva GmbH, a Heidelberg-based biopharmaceutical company focused on neuropsychiatric disorders, has secured significant new capital to advance its lead Alzheimer’s disease program. The company announced the close of a €51 million Series B financing round, equivalent to about $59 million, marking a major milestone in its clinical development journey. The funding underscores growing investor confidence in differentiated therapies addressing unmet needs in neurodegenerative diseases.
Series B Financing Details
The Series B round was co-led by Gimv and EQT Life Sciences, two established European life sciences investors with deep experience in late preclinical and clinical stage assets. New investors Fountain Healthcare Partners, LifeArc Ventures, Carma Fund, and Modi Ventures joined the round, alongside existing backers Andera Partners and LBBW. Legal advice for the new investors was provided by Julia Braun and her team at Baker McKenzie.
Investor Syndicate and Governance
Following the financing, Exciva’s board of directors has been restructured to reflect the expanded investor base and the company’s next growth phase. The board now includes representatives from Andera Partners, EQT Life Sciences, Gimv, and Fountain Healthcare, alongside an independent board member and Exciva’s chief executive officer. This governance structure is designed to support strategic decision making as the company advances into mid stage clinical development.
Use of Proceeds and Clinical Strategy
The newly raised capital will primarily be used to fund a Phase 2 clinical study of Deraphan, Exciva’s lead therapeutic candidate. The trial will evaluate Deraphan for the treatment of agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and is planned to take place across Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. A completed Phase 1 study demonstrated that the combination therapy was safe and well tolerated, providing a foundation for the upcoming efficacy focused trial.
Deraphan and Therapeutic Differentiation
Deraphan is a combination of two clinically validated products, including one novel chemical entity, both of which have demonstrated activity in the central nervous system. Exciva believes this approach could deliver improved efficacy and a more favorable risk benefit profile compared with existing treatment options for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease. Investors highlighted the therapy’s differentiated mechanism and the team’s deep neuropsychiatry expertise as key drivers behind the investment decision.
Market Context and Unmet Need
Agitation and other behavioral symptoms are among the most challenging aspects of Alzheimer’s disease for patients, caregivers, and healthcare systems. Epidemiological studies suggest that agitation affects a substantial proportion of Alzheimer’s patients during the course of the disease, yet treatment options remain limited and often burdened by significant side effects. With the global dementia population projected to increase sharply in coming decades, the demand for safer and more effective symptomatic treatments continues to grow.
Founded in 2016 by Drs. Anton Bespalov, Hans Moebius, and Rao Vepachedu, Exciva was established to address neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders. The company has built its platform around combining CNS active compounds to tackle symptoms that are poorly served by current therapies. With fresh capital, an expanded investor base, and a Phase 2 trial on the horizon, Exciva is positioning itself as a focused clinical stage player in the evolving Alzheimer’s treatment landscape.