Former Pfizer chemist launches Khartis Therapeutics with $95M to develop oral thyroid eye disease drug
Robert Hoffman, a veteran Pfizer chemist who previously co‑founded XinThera, announced the launch of Khartis Therapeutics. The new company, formed in 2024 with other former XinThera leaders, aims to develop an oral pill for thyroid eye disease (TED).
Khartis emerged from stealth on Thursday after closing a $50 million Series B round, bringing total capital raised to $95 million. The round was led by Forge Life Science Partners, with participation from Longwood Fund, Alexandria Venture Investments and existing backers such as Foresite Capital, Lilly Asia Ventures and Nextech Invest.
The company’s lead candidate targets the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), the same mechanism exploited by Amgen’s Tepezza and Viridian Therapeutics’ Lumvoa, which are currently delivered by intravenous infusion. An oral formulation could simplify treatment for patients with TED.
This writeup was produced by pharmadog from original reporting by Fierce Biotech.
Original headline: “Pfizer’s former chemistry whiz debuts Khartis Therapeutics with $95M for thyroid eye disease pill”
read at Fierce Biotech ↗
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