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§ Private Profile · Morrisville, NC, USA
A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics through clinical trials for unmet medical needs.
Arrivo BioVentures LLC is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Morrisville, North Carolina, that in-licenses and advances early-stage biologics and small molecules to treat central nervous system conditions. The drug development firm launched with $49 million in initial committed capital from approximately 20 institutional investment entities and has since raised over $100 million in total equity funding. Operating primarily through licensing agreements, the enterprise funds multi-year clinical trials and currently maintains a pipeline of four distinct drug candidates targeting major depressive disorder, narcolepsy, and preeclampsia. Arrivo BioVentures collaborates with prominent industry partners such as Mayo Clinic and Daiichi Sankyo, while receiving financial backing from lead investor Jazz Pharmaceuticals alongside Solas BioVentures and Rex Health Ventures. The biopharmaceutical organization was officially founded in 2016 by Stephen E. Butts, Bill Wofford, Michael Ackermann, and Jed Black.
Arrivo BioVentures LLC has raised $94.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Arrivo BioVentures LLC has raised $94.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Arrivo BioVentures LLC has raised $94.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $45.0M Series B in November 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2023 | $45M Series B | Bobby Helmedag | Solas BioVentures, REX Health Ventures | Announced |
| May 25, 2016 | $49M Venture Round | Jazz Pharmaceuticals | REX Health Ventures, AT FX | Announced |
Arrivo BioVentures LLC is a privately held biopharmaceutical development company, not a technology company in the general sense, focused on creating first-of-its-kind medicines that target the root causes of hard-to-treat diseases for longer, healthier patient lives.[2][4][5] It serves patients with major unmet needs, such as those with major depressive disorder (MDD) and predicted severe acute pancreatitis, through its clinical-stage pipeline: SP-624 (a SIRT6 activator via subsidiary Sirtsei Pharmaceuticals) in mid-to-late stage trials for MDD in women, and RABI-767 (via Panafina Inc.) in development for acute pancreatitis predicted to worsen.[1][2] The company has raised over $94 million in funding, including a $45 million Series B in 2023, demonstrating strong growth momentum with recent FDA Fast Track Designation for RABI-767, Phase 1 initiation for SP-624, and presentations at major conferences like Piper Sandler and the American Pancreatic Association in 2025.[2][3][5]
Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, near Research Triangle Park, Arrivo acts as a holding company providing management oversight and funding for its subsidiaries while advancing novel biologics and small molecules.[2][4]
Founded in 2015, Arrivo BioVentures emerged from a team of seasoned drug developers aiming to tackle diseases lacking effective treatments through innovative, root-cause therapies.[2][5] Co-founder and CEO Stephen E. Butts, with over 25 years in pharma/biotech including leadership at Velo Bio and board roles in acquisitions by Olympus, Boston Scientific, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals, drives the vision.[6] Co-founder and COO Michael F. Ackermann complements the leadership, supported by experts in corporate development, finance, medicine, and clinical operations.[5][6]
The idea crystallized around licensing partnerships with Mayo Clinic and Daiichi Sankyo, attracting investors like Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Rex Health Ventures, and Orlando Health Ventures.[2][6] Early traction came with a $49 million venture round in 2016, followed by Phase 1 studies for SP-624 and ongoing advancements for RABI-767, marking pivotal moments in clinical progress.[3][5]
Arrivo stands out in biopharma through:
Arrivo rides the wave of precision medicine and epigenetic therapies in biotech, addressing gaps in CNS disorders like MDD—affecting millions with limited options beyond symptom management—and acute pancreatitis, where prediction and intervention could save lives.[1][2] Timing aligns with surging demand for disease-modifying drugs amid aging populations and post-pandemic mental health crises, bolstered by FDA incentives like Fast Track designations.[5]
Market forces favor Arrivo: proximity to Research Triangle Park's talent pool, strong VC interest in biopharma (evident in its funding rounds), and partnerships with institutions like Mayo Clinic amplify influence.[2][3][6] It contributes to the ecosystem by pioneering SIRT6 modulation and pancreatitis prevention, potentially influencing standards for hard-to-treat diseases and inspiring similar root-cause approaches.[2]
Arrivo's pipeline positions it for breakthroughs, with SP-624's Phase 2b data and RABI-767's clinical readouts likely driving partnerships or Phase 3 advancement in 2026.[2][5] Trends like AI-enhanced trial design, epigenetic focus, and investor appetite for unmet needs in CNS/gastroenterology will shape its path, potentially leading to FDA approvals and acquisitions akin to leadership's past exits.[6]
As a nimble developer of root-cause therapies, Arrivo could evolve from clinical innovator to market shaper, delivering the meaningful outcomes promised for patients facing few options—reinforcing its mission since 2015.[2]
Arrivo BioVentures LLC has raised $94.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Arrivo BioVentures LLC's investors include Bobby Helmedag, Solas BioVentures, Rex Health Ventures, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, AT FX.