Tuebingen, Germany, April 15, 2025 – HepaRegeniX, a clinical-stage company focused on developing innovative therapies for acute and chronic liver conditions, announced the completion of a €21.5 million financing round. This round was finalized with the addition of Wellington Partners to its group of investors. HepaRegeniX intends to use the funds to complete its ongoing Phase Ib trial and move forward with the Phase IIa clinical trial for HRX-215, its primary drug candidate for liver regeneration.
“We are continuing to see significant progress in the clinical evaluation of HRX-215, our lead candidate, and this additional investment is a strong validation of our accomplishments and the impressive safety profile HRX-215 has demonstrated in the completed Phase I trials,” stated Elias Papatheodorou, Chief Executive Officer of HepaRegeniX. “HepaRegeniX has highlighted the considerable therapeutic potential of Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) Kinase Kinase 4 (MKK4) in various indications with significant unmet medical needs. We are dedicated to making a tangible impact on the lives of patients requiring liver resections due to tumors, those in need of liver transplants, and individuals suffering from chronic and acute liver diseases. As our clinical development strategy gains momentum, we value the ongoing support from our existing investors and the backing of Wellington Partners at this pivotal moment in our journey.”
“Wellington Partners is thrilled to join and further strengthen the HepaRegeniX investor base with this financing round,” commented Dr. Rainer Strohmenger, Managing Partner at the Munich-based life science venture capital fund. “HepaRegeniX’s approach is uniquely differentiated and has shown effectiveness in several in vivo models for liver diseases with extremely high unmet medical needs. We are eager to support the generation of meaningful clinical efficacy data in human patients in the near future.”
HRX-215 is a novel, orally administered small molecule inhibitor targeting Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) Kinase Kinase 4 (MKK4), a key regulator of liver regeneration. By selectively inhibiting MKK4, HRX-215 boosts the liver’s natural regenerative capacity. Extensive preclinical studies in mice and pigs have demonstrated that HRX-215 improves liver regeneration in both healthy and diseased livers. Notably, HRX-215 helps prevent liver failure following extensive liver resection. A Phase I clinical trial in healthy volunteers has further confirmed its favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profile. HRX-215 offers a new therapeutic avenue for conditions requiring rapid liver repair, presenting an alternative to traditional treatments.
About HepaRegeniX GmbH
HepaRegeniX is developing therapies for acute and chronic liver diseases, based on discoveries around a novel cellular target and small molecules that promote rapid liver regeneration. This is achieved by leveraging the liver’s innate regenerative capabilities in both healthy and diseased states. The company’s primary candidate, HRX-215, an orally available small molecule currently undergoing a Phase Ib/IIa trial, selectively inhibits Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) Kinase Kinase 4 (MKK4), a central regulator of liver regeneration. Building on established safety in clinical trials, HepaRegeniX is advancing HRX-215 to prevent liver failure after hepatectomy, facilitate transplantation of smaller living donor liver grafts, and treat severe alcohol-related hepatitis. Beyond liver diseases, the company is also developing HRX-233 to address kinase inhibitor treatment resistance in KRAS-driven tumors.
HepaRegeniX is supported by a group of experienced life science investors, including Vesalius Biocapital IV, Novo Holdings A/S, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF), Coparion, High-Tech Gründerfonds, Ascenion GmbH, and Wellington Partners.
Visit our website at to learn more about the company.
For further information, please contact:
HepaRegeniX GmbH
Elias Papatheodorou
Chief Executive Officer
Media Inquiries
Trophic Communications
Charlotte Spitz or Jacob Verghese
Tel: +49 171 351 2733
Email:
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