• Multi-year strategic collaboration in target discovery and therapeutic development based on Scenic Biotech’s disease modifying approach
• Utilises Scenic’s unique Cell-Seq platform and its proprietary data warehouse of genetic modifiers
• Scenic Biotech will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties across multiple products meeting certain pre-defined conditions

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, September 20, 2020 – Scenic Biotech BV (“Scenic”), a pioneer in the discovery of genetic modifiers to enable the development of disease modifying therapeutics for rare genetic disorders and other devastating illnesses, today announced that it has entered into a multi-year strategic collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to discover, develop and commercialize novel therapeutics that target genetic modifiers.

Genetic modifiers are genes that counteract the effect of a disease-causing gene. They may explain why some people with genetic mutations linked to severe disease end up having only mild or no symptoms. Also known as disease suppressors, genetic modifiers therefore positively influence the severity of disease and act as a ‘natural form of protection’. Their discovery is leading to a completely new class of drug targets.

Under the terms of the agreement, Scenic will utilize its Cell-Seq platform and its data warehouse of genetic modifiers to identify drug targets in multiple therapeutic areas. The collaboration enables Genentech to select multiple targets for further development with an option to extend the collaboration. Scenic will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and is eligible to receive additional target selection fees for drug targets taken forward by Genentech. In addition, Scenic is eligible for success-based payments for each target based on achievement of certain predetermined milestones, as well as royalties on sales of certain products resulting from the collaboration. Total deal value could exceed US $375M.

Scenic has built an extensive proprietary data warehouse of genetic modifiers and its Cell-Seq platform enables the development of potential disease modifying therapeutics for devastating diseases with an in-house focus on inherited rare diseases and immuno-oncology/inflammation.

The Company was founded in 2017 as a spin-out of the Netherlands Cancer Institute, and Oxford University and recently appointed Oscar Izeboud, PhD as its Chief Executive Officer.

Dr Sebastian Nijman, Co-founder and CSO of Scenic Biotech said:

“Genentech is the pioneer in innovative biotech and has world leading research and development capabilities. Scenic is a science-driven company and having Genentech as our first major industry partner is a great validation of our technology and by working together it will extend the utility of our platform beyond our current therapeutic areas of interest. The collaboration also brings significant strategic value for Scenic as it enables us to realise the potential of our genetic modifier expertise alongside independently advancing our own programs towards clinical development.”

About Scenic Biotech

Scenic Biotech is focused on identifying genetic modifiers, a completely new class of disease targets, for drug intervention. Also known as disease suppressors, genetic modifiers are genes that act to suppress or completely block the effect of a disease-causing mutated gene.

As a pioneer in the field, Scenic Biotech is building the largest proprietary data warehouse of genetic modifiers and has already identified a number of novel genetic modifiers for over a dozen inherited diseases. This approach is enabling the development of disease modifying therapeutics for devastating diseases including inherited rare diseases and cancer.

Scenic Biotech is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Company was founded in 2017 as a spin-out of the Netherlands Cancer Institute, and Oxford University, backed by a Dutch-UK syndicate of Venture Capital investors that include BioGeneration Ventures, Inkef Capital, and Oxford Sciences Innovation.

Scenic Biotech refers to all companies within the Scenic group, comprising Scenic Holding BV and its two fully owned subsidiary companies: Scenic Immunology BV and Scenic Biotech BV.

For further information please visit: www.scenicbiotech.com

Crossover Financing to Advance Clinical Development of Central Nervous System Assets in Migraine, Parkinson’s Disease and Acute Agitation

SEATTLE, Dec. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Impel NeuroPharma (“Impel” or the “Company”), a Seattle-based, privately-held biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for the treatment of central nervous system (“CNS”) disorders with unmet medical needs, today announced that it has completed a Series D financing totaling $67,500,000. The investment is co-led by KKR and Norwest Venture Partners (“Norwest”), with participation from existing investors, Vivo Capital, 5AM Ventures and venBio Partners.

In connection with the financing Dr. Robert Mittendorff, Partner at Norwest, and Ali Satvat, Member at KKR, will join the Impel Board of Directors.

This financing will enable Impel to accelerate its existing clinical development portfolio in CNS disorders. Impel is currently investigating three programs leveraging its novel Precision Olfactory Delivery, or POD®, device technology: INP104 in a Phase 3 trial for the treatment of acute migraine headache, INP103 in a Phase 2 trial for the reversal of OFF episodes in Parkinson’s disease and INP105 in a Phase 1 trial for the treatment of acute agitation in bipolar I and schizophrenia disorders.

“We are delighted to have the support of this exceptional group of both new and existing investors. Dr. Mittendorff and Mr. Satvat will be tremendous assets as new members of Impel’s Board of Directors and we believe that this investment is a testament to the strength of our POD® technology, our clinical programs and our management team,” said Jon Congleton, Chief Executive Officer of Impel. “With three product candidates progressing through various stages of clinical development in 2018, it has been an exciting year for Impel, and this financing confirms the value that we are generating with our clinical programs.”

“We are excited to have co-led this financing round with KKR and look forward to helping Impel reach its goals as the Company progresses the development of these novel investigative therapies,” said Dr. Mittendorff. “Norwest shares in Impel’s belief that the Company’s pipeline has the potential to bring important new treatments to the market for the CNS community.”

“We are thrilled to contribute to the development of innovative solutions that may enhance the lives of patients with CNS disorders,” said Mr. Satvat. “Impel’s proprietary, novel platform has the potential to transform intranasal drug delivery, significantly improving the range of treatment options for people living with acute migraine, acute agitation and Parkinson’s disease.”

About Impel NeuroPharma
Impel NeuroPharma, Inc., is a privately-held, Seattle-based biotechnology company devoted to creating life-changing, innovative therapies for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Impel NeuroPharma is currently investigating INP104 (POD-DHE) for acute migraine headache, INP103 (POD-levodopa) for reversal of OFF episodes in Parkinson’s disease and INP105 (POD-olanzapine) for acute agitation in schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.

Impel’s products utilize its novel, nasal drug-delivery Precision Olfactory Delivery, or POD™, device technology to deliver liquid or dry powder forms of drug to the upper nasal cavity in a consistent and predictable manner.

IMPEL, POD and the IMPEL Logo are trademarks of Impel NeuroPharma, Inc. To learn more about Impel NeuroPharma, please visit our website at http://impelnp.com.

About Precision Olfactory Delivery™ or POD™ Devices
Impel NeuroPharma’s proprietary POD™ intranasal drug delivery device is designed to deliver drugs to the richly-vascularized upper nasal cavity to achieve superior biodistribution and bioavailability of both small molecules and biologic drugs. By consistently and predictably delivering therapeutics to the upper nasal cavity, the POD nasal delivery device may improve overall bioavailability of drugs. The POD device also has the potential for nose-to-brain delivery via the olfactory and trigeminal nerves. Impel has developed dry powder and liquid compatible POD devices to improve upon current treatment options for central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

Contact:
Melyssa Weible
Elixir Health Public Relations
Ph: (1) 201-723-5805
E: mweible@elixirhealthpr.com