Flagship’s ProFound Therapeutics secures up to $35 M from Gates Foundation to discover preeclampsia drug targets

Flagship Pioneering’s ProFound Therapeutics has entered a new partnership with the Gates Foundation that could provide up to $35 million for research. The agreement includes an initial $20 million payment, with an additional $15 million contingent on meeting specific experimental milestones.

The collaboration will focus on using ProFound’s extensive proteomics library to examine placental tissue and identify biomarkers and potential drug targets for preeclampsia, a high‑blood‑pressure condition that can be fatal for mothers and infants.

ProFound CEO John Lepore, M.D., highlighted the global health impact, noting that preeclampsia remains a leading cause of maternal and fetal death, especially in low‑resource settings where acute care is limited. The Gates Foundation’s involvement underscores its commitment to addressing this critical unmet need.