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Epizyme has raised $45.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Key people at Epizyme.
Epizyme has raised $45.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Epizyme is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel epigenetic therapies for cancer patients. The commercial-stage firm specializes in treatments for rare oncology indications, highlighted by its lead product Tazverik, a first-in-class EZH2 inhibitor approved for epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma. Before its acquisition, the company advanced a broader clinical pipeline including EZM0414 to target various hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, supported by venture capital rounds like a $40 million Series B financing. In June 2022, the global pharmaceutical corporation Ipsen acquired the business for $247 million in cash plus contingent value rights, providing an exit for previous institutional backers such as NEA, Amgen Ventures, MPM Capital, and Kleiner Perkins. The enterprise was originally founded in 2007 by Nobel Prize laureate Robert Horvitz and Yi Zhang.
Epizyme has raised $45.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Epizyme's investors include Mott Family Capital, Endeavor Venture Funds, MPM Capital, Westlake Village BioPartners.
Key people at Epizyme.
Epizyme is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, not a general technology company, focused on developing and commercializing novel epigenetic medicines for cancer patients.[1][2] Its lead product, Tazverik (tazemetostat), is a first-in-class, oral EZH2 inhibitor approved by the FDA in 2020 for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma and epithelioid sarcoma, targeting specific genetic mutations to provide chemotherapy-free treatment.[1][3] Epizyme serves oncology patients with unmet needs in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, solving the problem of limited targeted therapies by rewriting cancer treatment standards through epigenetic mechanisms that alter gene expression without changing DNA.[1][2] The company has shown growth via Tazverik's market entry and pipeline advancement, including next-generation agents like EZM0414 in clinic and preclinical compounds, though it was acquired by Ipsen in 2022 to expand oncology portfolios.[1]
Epizyme was founded in 2007 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with a commitment to rigorous scientific research in novel epigenetic therapies for cancer.[1] Key leadership includes Grant Bogle, who served as President and CEO, highlighting the team's 15-year journey from inception to Tazverik's accelerated FDA approval in 2020 and pipeline progress like EZM0414 entering clinical trials.[1] The idea emerged from advancing epigenetics—focusing on proteins like EZH2 that control gene activity in cancer—leading to early traction through partnerships and development of small-molecule inhibitors, culminating in commercial-stage status.[1][3]
Epizyme rides the epigenetics trend in oncology, where therapies target gene regulation to overcome resistance in hard-to-treat cancers like lymphomas and sarcomas, aligning with precision medicine's rise.[1][3] Timing was ideal post-2020 FDA approval amid growing demand for oral, targeted options over toxic chemotherapies, bolstered by biotech hubs like Cambridge, MA.[1] Market forces favoring it include expanding oncology pipelines (e.g., Ipsen's acquisition for global reach) and clinical trial momentum into 2025 for next-gen inhibitors.[1][3] It influences the ecosystem by pioneering epigenetic platforms, inspiring similar biotech innovations and contributing to over 32 trials and 60+ literature references.[3]
Post-acquisition by Ipsen, Epizyme's assets like Tazverik and EZM0414 integrate into a larger oncology portfolio, with ongoing Phase 3 trials and 2025-starting studies signaling pipeline acceleration.[1][3] Trends like AI-driven target discovery and combo epigenetic-immunotherapy regimens will shape its path, potentially expanding indications in solid tumors and hematologic cancers. Its influence may evolve through Ipsen's global sales network, amplifying impact on cancer care standards and validating epigenetics as a core biotech pillar—transforming Epizyme from standalone innovator to key player in sustained oncology breakthroughs.[1]
Epizyme has raised $45.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $8.0M Series B in December 2009.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2009 | $8M Series B | — | Mott Family Capital | Announced |
| Nov 1, 2009 | $5M Series B | — | Endeavor Venture Funds | Announced |
| Oct 1, 2009 | $32M Series B | — | MPM Capital, Westlake Village BioPartners | Announced |
