Constellation Pharmaceuticals raises $55m in mezzanine financing

The Company plans to use the proceeds from the financing to advance its pipeline of direct tumor targeting and immuno-stimulatory epigenetic inhibitors, which includes its two wholly-owned, clinical-stage lead programs: a bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitor as well as an EZH2 inhibitor, targeting difficult-to-treat cancers.

The financing was co-led by Topspin Partners and also included new money from several other well-known investment funds. Existing investors Third Rock Ventures, The Column Group, Venrock and SR One also invested in this round of financing.

Topspin Partners chairman Leo Guthart said: "There is a huge unmet need to develop innovative treatments in oncology, and Constellation’s epigenetics platform is truly unique and offers the potential to discover and develop drugs capable of targeting areas that until recently were not possible.

"Furthermore, the quality of Constellation Pharmaceuticals management team and advisory board, made up of some of the preeminent leaders in the epigenetics field, reinforces our conviction in our investment."

Constellation Pharmaceuticals president and CEO Keith Dionne said: "We are thrilled to welcome such a great group of new investors into our company and we remain grateful for the strong ongoing support of our existing investors.

"It is our goal to be the premier company developing drugs that target epigenetic function and its role in disease biology. This financing is an affirmation of our goal to serve the unmet medical needs of patients."