Rtw Biotech Regulatory News (RTW)

LEI: 549300Q7EXQQH6KF7Z84

04 June 2020

RTW Venture Fund Limited

New Investment in Athira Pharma

RTW Participates in Series B Financing Round in Athira Pharma

RTW Venture Fund Limited (the "Company"), the London listed investment company focused on identifying transformative assets with high growth potential across the life sciences sector, notes the announcement by Athira Pharma, Inc. ("Athira") on 04 June 2020 of its completion of an $85 million Series B financing. Athira is a privately-held clinical-stage company developing innovative first-in-class regenerative therapies with the potential to restore brain function.

The Company alongside other funds managed by RTW Investments, LP (the "Investment Manager") confirms that it participated in the financing round together with other investment firms.

Roderick Wong, MD, Managing Partner of RTW, the Investment Manager said:

"We look forward to supporting Athira's effort to develop novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and to advance NDX-1017 through clinical studies, as it prepares to enter Phase 2/3 trials in Alzheimer's Disease, a large high unmet need patient population. For RTW Venture Fund, Athira's addition is our fifth new investment since IPO and we are excited to diversify our portfolio across disease areas and continue to execute on our strategy of identifying innovative companies with potential to transform patients' lives."  

The announcement can be accessed on Athira's website at: www.athira.com and full text of the announcement from Athira is contained below.

For Further Information

RTW Investments, LP +1 (646) 343 9280Stephanie Sirota, Chief Business OfficerAlexandra Taracanova, PhD, Director of Investor Relations

Julia Enright, Business Development Associate

Buchanan +44 (0)20 7466 5107Charles Ryland

Henry Wilson

About RTW Venture Fund Limited:

RTW Venture Fund Limited (LSE: RTW) is an investment fund focused on identifying transformative assets with high growth potential across the biopharmaceutical and medical technology sectors. Driven by a long-term approach to support innovative businesses, RTW Venture Fund invests in companies developing next-generation therapies and technologies that can significantly improve patients' lives.

RTW Venture Fund Limited is managed by RTW Investments, LP, a leading US healthcare investment firm with deep scientific expertise and a strong track record of supporting companies developing life-changing therapies.

Visit the RTW website at www.rtwfunds.com for more information.

Athira Pharma Closes $85 Million Series B Financing

- Premier syndicate comes together to fund Phase 2/3 development of NDX-1017 for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

SEATTLE, June 4, 2020 - Athira Pharma, Inc., a clinical-stage company developing innovative first-in-class regenerative therapies with the potential to restore brain function, today announced the closing of an $85 million Series B financing. The financing round was led by Perceptive Advisors and included participation from new investors RTW Investments, Viking Global Investors, Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, Franklin Templeton, Rock Springs Capital, LifeSci Venture Partners, Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company), Highside Capital Management, Logos Capital, funds managed by Janus Henderson Investors, Sofinnova Investments, Avidity Partners, and existing investors including Rick and Suzanne Kayne and Sahsen Ventures.

In connection with the financing, Joseph Edelman, Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager of Perceptive Advisors, will join the Company's Board of Directors.

"We are dedicated to impacting the course of neurodegenerative diseases and are eager to advance our lead therapeutic candidate, NDX-1017, into Phase 2/3 clinical development following the encouraging data we presented at CTAD, showing a rapid and statistically significant improvement in an objective measure of cognitive process in Alzheimer's patients," said Dr. Leen Kawas, President and Chief Executive Officer at Athira. "We appreciate the support from this prominent group of investors, which will also enable us to explore the potential of our pipeline of compounds across a range of central and peripheral neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric indications."

"NDX-1017 represents a novel mechanism for treating Alzheimer's patients and we are very excited to invest in Athira" said Edelman. "Athira has assembled an impressive and seasoned management team with years of CNS drug development experience, and we look forward to supporting an innovative company focused on devastating neurological diseases."

Proceeds from the financing will support a Phase 2/3 Alzheimer's clinical trial of NDX-1017. NDX-1017 is a small molecule therapeutic designed to enhance the activity of a naturally occurring repair mechanism that has the potential to restore neuronal health and brain function.

About Athira Pharma, Inc.

Athira, headquartered in Seattle, is a clinical stage drug development company striving to improve human health by advancing bold and innovative therapies with the potential to restore the lives of people impacted by brain disorders. Athira is currently advancing its lead therapeutic candidate, NDX-1017, a novel small molecule, in later-stage clinical trials for Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.athira.com. You can also follow Athira on Facebook, LinkedIn and @athirapharma on Twitter and Instagram.

# # #

Media Contacts:

David Schull or Maggie Beller

Russo Partners LLC

David.schull@russopartnersllc.com

Maggie.beller@russopartnersllc.com

646-942-5631

Investor Contact:

Sarah McCabe

Stern Investor Relations, Inc.

sarah.mccabe@sternir.com 

212-362-1200