Knopp Biosciences is a technology company.
Knopp Biosciences has raised $14.0M across 1 funding round.
Knopp Biosciences has raised $14.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Knopp Biosciences has raised $14.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Knopp Biosciences's investors include Solas BioVentures.
Knopp Biosciences is a privately held biotechnology company specializing in drug discovery and development for immunological and neurological diseases with high unmet needs.[1][2][3] It develops oral small-molecule therapies, including the clinical-stage dexpramipexole for eosinophilic asthma—now advanced by partner Areteia Therapeutics—and a Kv7 platform for epilepsy and hyperexcitability disorders, acquired by Biohaven Pharmaceuticals.[2][6] Originally a therapeutics innovator, Knopp pivoted from ALS research to eosinophil-targeted treatments, serving patients with conditions like severe asthma, hypereosinophilic syndrome, and rare epilepsies identifiable via biomarkers.[1][5][6] Today, it manages a portfolio of equity securities and future product royalties, retaining value from its 18-year drug discovery track record.[2]
Founded in 2004 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Knopp Biosciences began with a focus on neurological disorders, evolving from diagnostics to therapeutics.[2][3][5] Key early funding included $10 million in Series A (2006) and $30 million in Series B (2009), supporting dexpramipexole's (then dexpramipexole) development for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through Phase 2 trials and a 2010 licensing deal with Biogen Idec for Phase 3.[5] Between 2007-2013, as eosinophil biology insights emerged, Knopp pivoted dexpramipexole toward eosinophil-driven inflammation, achieving proof-of-concept in hypereosinophilic syndrome with some patients reaching complete remission.[5][6] Pivotal moments included preclinical advances in Kv7 modulators like KB-3061 for KCNQ2 epileptic encephalopathy (2019) and Phase 2 Exhale trial data showing improved lung function in asthma (2022).[4][6]
Knopp rides the wave of precision biologics alternatives in immunology and neurology, targeting eosinophil-driven diseases amid rising asthma prevalence and biologic limitations like injections and high costs.[6] Timing aligns with post-2010s eosinophil science advances and gene therapy gaps in rare epilepsies, where small molecules offer oral convenience and scalability.[4][5] Market forces favor it: high healthcare burdens from untreated inflammation (e.g., asthma exacerbations), orphan disease incentives, and investor interest in de-risked Phase 3-ready assets, as seen in Areteia's Bain Capital backing.[4][7] Knopp influences the ecosystem by validating Kv7 modulation for hyperexcitability disorders and proving small-molecule viability against biologics, accelerating Pittsburgh's biotech hub growth.[1][2]
Knopp's royalty portfolio positions it for milestone payments and sales royalties as dexpramipexole enters Phase 3 via Areteia and Kv7 advances under Biohaven, potentially yielding first approvals in eosinophilic asthma and pediatric epilepsies.[2][6] Trends like biomarker expansion, AI-aided discovery, and oral therapy demand will amplify its model, evolving influence from innovator to passive value-capturer in high-need niches. Investors eye its pivot success as a biotech resilience blueprint, tying back to its origins in tackling immunology's toughest challenges with small-molecule precision.[2][5]
Knopp Biosciences has raised $14.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $14.0M Series C in November 2020.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2020 | $14.0M Series C | Solas BioVentures |