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RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd on Tuesday noted Aquestive Therapeutics Inc’s announcement of a strategic funding agreement with funds managed by RTW Investments LP. RTW Biotech, an investor focused on high-growth life science assets, said it participated in the $75 million investment via its commitment to the RTW-managed 4010 Royalty Fund. The financing will support Aquestive to bring Anaphylm sublingual film to market. Anaphylm is an orally delivered film using Aquestive’s novel prodrug of epinephrine in clinical development with the same target indication as that for epinephrine injection in the emergency treatment of type 1 allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. RTW Biotech highlighted that the transaction is subject to approval from the US Food & Drug Administration. RTW Biotech Chief Investment Officer Rod Wong said: ‘We are excited to support Aquestive, and this investment reflects our belief in the commercial prospects of Anaphylm as a rescue treatment for patients experiencing a severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis. We remain committed to helping life science companies bring meaningful innovations, like Anaphylm, to patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers through a variety of financing solutions.’ In mid-July, the company had noted an announcement from portfolio firm Kailera Therapeutics, which said it is advancing a broad pipeline of next-generation therapies for the treatment of obesity. Kailera and its partner Hengrui Pharma announced positive topline data from the China phase 3 clinical trial of HRS9531 in people living with obesity or overweight. ‘The trial met both primary endpoints, demonstrating superior weight loss and a greater percentage of participants achieving at least 5% body weight reduction compared to placebo. The safety profile was favourable and consistent with other GLP-1-based treatments, with most treatment-emergent adverse events being mild to moderate and gastrointestinal-related,’ RTW Biotech noted. RTW Biotech CIO back in July said: ‘We are excited to see the results of Kailera’s lead product, KAI9531, in the China phase 3 obesity study, which marks a significant milestone in its development. The strong efficacy and favourable safety profile observed in the Chinese population underscore its potential to become a transformative treatment for millions of people living with obesity and related cardiometabolic conditions.’ RTW Biotech shares were flat at $1.41 each on Tuesday morning in London. Aquestive Therapeutics shares closed up 1.7% to $4.18 on Nasdaq in New York on Monday. It has a $504 million market capitalisation. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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