FELIQS Corporation, a biotechnology firm specializing in innovative treatments for rare pediatric retinal diseases, has successfully closed a $9 million Series A financing round. This funding, co-led by a prominent American pharmaceutical company and Beyond Next Ventures Inc., with contributions from the Japan Science and Technology Agency and existing investors, marks a pivotal moment in the development of FLQ-101. FLQ-101 is FELIQS’s lead candidate aimed at preventing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a condition that poses a significant risk of blindness in premature infants.

The investment is set to propel the clinical development of FLQ-101, a once-daily oral or intravenous solution designed to promote healthy retinal vascularization while combating inflammation and abnormal blood vessel growth. The Phase 1b/2 tROPhy-1 study, slated to begin in the summer of 2025 in the United States, represents a critical next step in evaluating the therapy’s potential. FLQ-101’s recognition by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with both Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations in 2024 underscores its promise in addressing a pressing gap in neonatal healthcare.

Dr. Ken-ichiro (Nobu) Kuninobu, Co-Founder and CEO of FELIQS, expressed gratitude for the support from investors, emphasizing the funding’s role in advancing the first-in-human clinical study and expanding the company’s pipeline of treatments for pediatric patients. The proceeds from this financing will be allocated towards enhancing FELIQS’s operational and clinical development teams, accelerating key milestones in the U.S. clinical program, and fostering collaborative research efforts in the United States.

This development not only signifies a leap forward in the treatment of ROP but also highlights the growing recognition of the importance of addressing rare pediatric diseases. With the backing of a diverse group of investors and the potential of FLQ-101, FELIQS is poised to make a meaningful impact on the lives of premature infants at risk of blindness, offering hope where options have been limited.

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