• Clinical-stage company led by world-class team targeting core neurotransmission pathways underlying neuropsychiatric disorders with a rich pipeline of novel, potentially transformative treatments
• Proceeds will fund four clinical studies: two related to the Phase 2-stage lead candidate, DT-101, in Major Depressive Disorder and two in additional programmes
• Outstanding syndicate of Series A investors led by Access Biotechnology join seed investors SV Health Investors and ICG
  
  

Draig Therapeutics (“Draig”), a clinical-stage company aiming to transform the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases, today launches from stealth having raised a total of $140 million (£107 million) in the last nine months. The oversubscribed Series A financing was led by Access Biotechnology, with participation from Canaan Partners, SR One, Sanofi Ventures, Schroders Capital along with seed investors SV Health Investors, which co-founded the company, and ICG.

“Despite numerous treatments available for neuropsychiatric disorders, a significant unmet need remains with many patients continuing to experience inadequate symptom relief and high rates of relapse,” said Liam Ratcliffe, Head of Access Biotechnology. “Draig’s differentiated approach, which targets core mechanisms underlying these complex conditions, has the potential to deliver a real breakthrough for patients.”

Draig was formed through a partnership between Cardiff University’s Medicines Discovery Institute and SV Health Investors and launched in 2024. SV Health Investors and ICG provided initial seed funding and built the company.  

The unique scientific expertise of Professors John Atack and Simon Ward in safely and effectively modulating the core glutamate and GABA pathways in the brain underpins Draig’s pipeline of novel drug candidates. Both founders are Directors of the Medicines Discovery Institute (MDI) at Cardiff University and have attracted a world-class leadership team of highly experienced industry experts and proven company builders with strong track records of driving innovation and developing transformative therapies into Draig.

“Making the best molecules to rebalance brain networks has been John and Simon’s life work. It has been a professional highlight for me to be part of creating this hugely promising company too,” said Ruth McKernan, Operating Partner at SV Health Investors, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Draig.

“From the outset, we were drawn to Draig’s bold scientific vision and the founding team’s deep expertise in unlocking high value but previously difficult-to-drug targets in neuropsychiatric disorders,” said Charles Dunn, Principal at SV Health Investors. “Built around an exciting clinical-stage asset, Draig is a perfect example of SV’s strategy to create and build world-class companies around innovative science to deliver high-impact drugs to patients and address major unmet needs.”

The new funds will enable Draig to advance its lead candidate DT-101, a next-generation AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM), into Phase 2 trials for Major Depressive Disorder in 2025. DT-101 was designed to allow effective modulation of the AMPA receptor without compromising safety. This was borne out in data from a well-tolerated Phase 1a programme in over 60 subjects, which clearly demonstrated target engagement using the novel technique of magnetoencephalography and will be presented at an upcoming scientific meeting.

“With several exciting candidates in our pipeline, including our promising clinical candidate DT-101 for Major Depressive Disorder, alongside the support of an exceptional investor syndicate and a world-class team, Draig has a great platform from which to make a positive impact on the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders,” said Samantha Budd Haeberlein, Venture Partner at ICG and former Chief Medical Officer of Draig.

The funding will also enable Draig to advance two highly selective GABA_A receptor modulators towards clinical development in 2026, with best-in-class potential across a range of prevalent and underserved neuropsychiatric disorders.

The founding team of Prof. John Atack (Chief Translational Officer), Prof. Simon Ward (Chief Scientific Officer) and Ruth McKernan CBE (Executive Chair) has extensive experience in company creation and central nervous system drug development. Draig is now an established international company whose executive team brings deep biotech and pharma experience, and includes Inder Kaul MD (Chief Medical Officer, formerly at Bristol Myers Squibb and Karuna Therapeutics), Florian Islinger MD (Chief Commercial Strategy Officer, formerly at Roche) and David Watson (Chief Operating Officer, formerly at Biogen).