FoRx Therapeutics, a Swiss clinical-stage biotechnology firm, has successfully closed a USD 50 million Series A financing round. This significant investment, led by its existing syndicate of investors, is earmarked to advance the Phase 1 clinical development of its lead candidate, FORX-428. The drug is a novel PARG inhibitor designed to offer a new therapeutic option for patients with advanced solid tumors.
Advancing a New Generation of Cancer Therapy
The financing was strongly supported by an established group of investors, including EQT Life Sciences, Pfizer Ventures, Novartis Venture Fund, and M Ventures. This funding builds upon a first closing in June 2024, which facilitated the Investigational New Drug (IND) application and the trial's initiation. The new capital ensures the company is well-resourced to reach its initial clinical readout for FORX-428.
Tarig Bashir, CEO of FoRx Therapeutics, expressed pride in earning the continued trust of the company's sophisticated investor syndicate. He noted that the funds will be crucial for analyzing the initial clinical data from the ongoing Phase 1 trial. Bashir looks forward to reinforcing the drug's best-in-class potential, which has already shown strong anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical models.
Targeting PARP Inhibitor Resistance
The scientific foundation for FORX-428 lies in targeting the DNA Damage Response (DDR), a pathway that PARP inhibitors successfully exploited over a decade ago. However, many cancers develop resistance to these treatments, creating a significant unmet medical need. FoRx is pioneering a next-generation approach by targeting PARG, a different enzyme in the DDR pathway, to overcome this resistance.
FORX-428 is a proprietary, orally available small molecule designed to inhibit the PARG enzyme, which is critical for the survival of certain cancers. Preclinical studies have demonstrated its robust anti-tumor activity across multiple solid tumor models, suggesting high potential in both monotherapy and combination settings. The compound was also well-tolerated, showing a favorable safety profile and drug-like pharmacology.
Clinical Trial and Market Context
The company's first-in-human Phase 1 study is currently progressing as planned, with recruitment having started in the United States in August 2025. This open-label trial is evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of FORX-428. It focuses on patients with advanced solid tumors who have exhausted all standard-of-care treatment options.
This financing positions FoRx within a vibrant European oncology funding landscape, which saw sustained investment throughout 2025. Other notable rounds included financings for companies like Hedera Dx and Artios Pharma, contributing to over €300 million in disclosed funding. This trend highlights continued investor confidence in companies developing novel approaches to cancer biology, from DDR pathways to immuno-oncology.
Vincent Brichard of EQT Life Sciences, a board member at FoRx, commented on the significant therapeutic potential of PARG inhibition in oncology. He stated that the syndicate's continued support reflects strong confidence in both the lead candidate and the experienced management team. This endorsement from a key investor underscores the perceived value of the company's scientific and strategic progress.
The successful USD 50 million financing marks a pivotal moment for FoRx Therapeutics, providing the necessary resources to advance its innovative cancer therapy. This capital injection not only validates the promise of FORX-428 but also propels it toward a crucial clinical milestone. The initial data readout expected in mid-2026 will be closely watched as a potential breakthrough for patients with treatment-resistant cancers.