November 28, 2023

Escient Pharmaceuticals Initiates Clinical Proof-of-Concept Study of EP262, a First-in-Class Oral MRGPRX2 Antagonist, in Atopic Dermatitis

SAN DIEGO, Calif., November 28, 2023 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage drug development company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for systemic neuro-immune disorders, today announced that the first subject has been dosed in EASE, a Phase 2a clinical proof-of-concept study of EP262 in subjects with atopic dermatitis (AD).    By blocking activation of MRGPRX2 and degranulation of […]

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October 12, 2023

Escient Pharmaceuticals Initiates Clinical Proof-of-Concept Study of EP262, a First-in-Class Oral MRGPRX2 Antagonist, in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

SAN DIEGO, Calif., October 12, 2023 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage drug development company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for systemic neuro-immune disorders, today announced that the first subject has been dosed in CALM-CSU, a Phase 2 clinical proof-of-concept study of EP262 in subjects with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). By blocking activation of MRGPRX2 and degranulation of […]

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September 25, 2023

Escient Pharmaceuticals Initiates Clinical Proof-of-Concept Study of EP262, a First-in-Class Oral MRGPRX2 Antagonist, in Chronic Inducible Urticaria

– First of three clinical proof-of-concept studies to be initiated in second half of 2023 – Study will evaluate EP262 in ~30 patients with symptomatic dermographism and cold urticaria using an open-label design and objective endpoints SAN DIEGO, Calif., September 25, 2023 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage drug development company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for systemic […]

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June 20, 2023

Escient Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Results from Phase 1 Study of EP262, a First-in-Class Oral MRGPRX2 Antagonist for Mast Cell Mediated Disorders

– EP262 was safe and well-tolerated at all doses tested, at exposures several fold above doses required for efficacy in preclinical disease models – Pharmacokinetic (PK) profile supports once-daily oral dosing – Clinical proof-of-concept studies in chronic inducible urticaria, chronic spontaneous urticaria and atopic dermatitis to start in second half of 2023   SAN DIEGO, Calif., […]

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June 8, 2023

Escient Pharmaceuticals Announces Presentation of Data Demonstrating Efficacy of EP262 in Inhibition of Mast Cell Degranulation in Multiple Species at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

SAN DIEGO, Calif., June 8, 2023 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for the potential treatment of a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders, today announced the presentation of preclinical data in multiple models of mast cell degranulation related to the company’s EP262 development program at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical […]

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March 16, 2023

Escient Pharmaceuticals Announces Presentation of Data Demonstrating Efficacy of EP262 in a Mouse Model of Atopic Dermatitis at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting

SAN DIEGO, Calif., March 16, 2023 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for the potential treatment of a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders, today announced the presentation of preclinical data in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis related to the company’s EP262 development program at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting […]

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February 26, 2023

Escient Pharmaceuticals Announces Oral Presentation of Data Highlighting the Preclinical Pharmacology of EP262 at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting

SAN DIEGO, Calif., February 26, 2023 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for the potential treatment of a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders, today announced the presentation of preclinical data related to the company’s EP262 development program at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual meeting being held in San […]

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January 30, 2023

Escient Pharmaceuticals Announces IND Clearance by FDA to Start Phase 1 Study of EP262, a First-in-Class Oral MRGPRX2 Antagonist for Mast Cell Mediated Disorders

SAN DIEGO, Calif., January 30, 2023 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for the potential treatment of a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for EP262, enabling the initiation of a Phase 1 first-in-human […]

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December 7, 2022

Escient Pharmaceuticals Announces Oral Presentation of Data Highlighting the Preclinical Development of EP262 at the 6th GA2LEN Global Urticaria Forum

EP262 potently inhibits MRGPRX2-mediated mast cell degranulation in multiple in vitro assays and in vivo using a proprietary humanized MRGPRX2 knock-in model Data supports evaluation of EP262 as a novel treatment for chronic spontaneous and inducible urticarias SAN DIEGO, Calif., December 7, 2022 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for the potential […]

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November 28, 2022

Escient Pharmaceuticals Announces $120 Million Series C Financing

Financing led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Abingworth and Forge Life Science Partners Proceeds support advancement of EP262 and EP547 to multiple clinical milestones SAN DIEGO, Calif., November 28, 2022 – Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for the potential treatment of a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders, today announced the […]

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November 17, 2022

Escient Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 2 PACIFIC Study Evaluating EP547, An Oral MRGPRX4 Antagonist, in Subjects with Cholestatic Pruritus

SAN DIEGO, Calif., November 17, 2022 – Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for the potential treatment of a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders, today announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical study of EP547 in subjects with cholestatic pruritus. EP547 is a highly selective antagonist of MRGPRX4, a cell […]

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November 16, 2022

Escient Pharmaceuticals Strengthens Leadership Team with Key New Hires

SAN DIEGO, Calif., November 16, 2022 – Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company advancing novel small molecule therapeutics for the potential treatment of a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders, today announced the addition of three key new members to its leadership team. Aaron Mishel has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer, David Houck as Vice […]

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January 5, 2022

Escient Pharmaceuticals Appoints Joshua Grass as CEO

– Alain Baron, M.D., Escient Co-founder and CEO Retires – SAN DIEGO, Calif., January 5, 2022 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company focused on discovering and developing novel, first-in-class therapies to address serious, unserved medical needs, today announced the appointment of Joshua Grass as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Mr. Grass will join the company’s Board of Directors. He […]

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November 4, 2021

Escient Pharmaceuticals Announces Data Presentations Highlighting the Preclinical and Clinical Development of EP547 at AASLD The Liver Meeting® Digital Experience 2021

– EP547, a potent, highly selective MrgprX4 antagonist, represents a novel, targeted approach to the treatment of cholestatic and uremic pruritus – SAN DIEGO, Calif., November 4, 2021 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage, Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor (Mrgpr)-based platform company focused on discovering and developing novel MOA-targeted, first-in-class, oral, once-daily therapies to address serious, unserved medical needs, […]

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July 14, 2021

Escient Pharmaceuticals Announces Positive Results from Phase 1 Study of EP547, an MrgprX4-Targeted Oral Therapy for Cholestatic and Uremic Pruritus

– EP547 was safe, well-tolerated at all doses tested and demonstrated a dose-linear PK profile supportive of oral, once-daily dosing – SAN DIEGO, CA, July 14, 2021 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage, Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor (Mrgpr)-based platform company focused on discovering and developing novel MOA-targeted, first-in-class, oral, once-daily therapies to address serious, unserved medical needs, today […]

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May 17, 2021

Escient Pharmaceuticals Appoints Christian Weyer, M.D., M.A.S., as President and Chief Medical Officer

SAN DIEGO, CA, May 17, 2021 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage, industry-leading platform company developing Mas-related G Protein-Coupled Receptor (MRGPR)-targeted drugs to address serious, unserved medical needs across a broad range of therapeutic indications, today announced that Christian Weyer, M.D., M.A.S., has joined the company as President and Chief Medical Officer. “Christian is a proven business […]

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May 3, 2021

Escient Pharmaceuticals Names Svetlana Makhni as Chief Financial Officer

SAN DIEGO, CA, May 3, 2021 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage, industry-leading platform company developing Mas-related G Protein-Coupled Receptor (MRGPR)-targeted drugs to address serious, unserved medical needs across a broad range of therapeutic indications, today announced the appointment of Svetlana Makhni as Chief Financial Officer effective May 3, 2021. Ms. Makhni will oversee Escient’s finance, accounting, […]

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September 23, 2020

Escient Pharmaceuticals Appoints Veena Viswanath, Ph.D., as VP of Translational Biology and Drug Discovery

SAN DIEGO, CA; September 23, 2020 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an industry-leading, clinical-stage company developing Mas-related G Protein-Coupled Receptor (MRGPR)-targeted drugs to address serious, underserved medical needs across a broad range of therapeutic indications, today announced the hiring of Veena Viswanath as Vice President of Translational Biology and Drug Discovery. Prior to this new role, […]

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September 14, 2020

Escient Pharmaceuticals Raises $77.5 Million Series B Round and Initiates a Phase 1/1b Clinical Trial of EP547, a MRGPR-targeted Therapy to Treat Cholestatic and Uremic Pruritus

— Proceeds support clinical development for lead program in cholestatic and uremic pruritus and second program for mast cell-related diseases — Financing round led by Sanofi Ventures and Cowen Healthcare Investments and included new investors Redmile Group and Perceptive Advisors — Jason Hafler, Ph.D., of Sanofi Ventures and Kevin Raidy of Cowen Healthcare Investments join […]

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September 24, 2019

Escient Pharmaceuticals Announces Appointment of K. Peter Hirth to Board of Directors

—Co-founder, former CEO of Plexxikon brings proven track record building platform-based companies and delivering novel medicines for patients— SAN DIEGO, CA; September 24, 2019—Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company advancing first-in-class G Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs to address unmet needs for a broad range of therapeutic indications, today announced the appointment of K. Peter Hirth […]

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July 17, 2019

Escient Pharmaceuticals Appoints Kristin Taylor, PhD as Vice President and Head of Clinical Development

— Seasoned industry leader to steer Escient’s clinical development and regulatory strategies as it advances first-in-class Mrgpr-focused pipeline — SAN DIEGO, CA; July 17, 2019—Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company advancing first-in-class G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs to address unmet needs for a broad range of therapeutic indications, announced today that Kristin Taylor, PhD has […]

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October 10, 2018

Kathleen Sereda Glaub Appointed Independent Director of Escient Pharmaceuticals

–Industry veteran brings extensive corporate development, financing and
company-building expertise as Escient advances first-in-class GPCR-targeted drugs–

SAN DIEGO, CA; October 10, 2018 — Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company advancing first-in-class G Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs to address unmet needs for a broad range of therapeutic indications, announced today that Kathleen Sereda Glaub has been appointed to its board as an independent director.

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May 9, 2018

Escient Pharmaceuticals Launches with $40 Million Series A Financing to Advance First-in-Class G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-Targeted Drugs to Address Serious, Unserved Medical Needs

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Escient Pharmaceuticals launched today with the completion of a $40 million Series A financing to advance first-in-class G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs to address serious, unserved medical needs across a broad range of therapeutic indications. Focused on unleashing the therapeutic potential of specific orphan GPCRs, including the novel family of Mas-Related G-Protein Receptors (Mrgprs), Escient will initially pursue therapies for neuro-immuno-inflammatory and autoreactive diseases. The company will use proceeds from the Series A financing, syndicated by The Column Group and 5AM Ventures and joined by Osage University Partners, to build out its team, advance its pipeline, and progress its initial preclinical programs to clinical study.

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