Melbourne, Australia: December 20, 2006: MuriGen Therapeutics, a drug discovery and
development company originally spun-out from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical
Research, today announced the successful completion of a AUD$5 million investment by leading
Australian venture capital firm, Starfish Ventures.
Dr Nick Samaras, MuriGen’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are very pleased to have
attracted a high quality investor such as Starfish Ventures. This investment round will enable us
to progress our two lead drug development programs in inflammation and thrombocytopenia and
to pursue new opportunities.”
MuriGen’s flagship program is the development of a new class of drugs that target arthritis and
other inflammatory diseases. This program is being undertaken in collaboration with Zenyth
Therapeutics, a leading Australian biotechnology company.
MuriGen’s drug discovery platform is central to a number of collaborative initiatives focused on
the discovery of novel drug targets for thrombocytopenia and other blood conditions, epilepsy,
thalassemia and certain inflammatory conditions. “MuriGen’s drug discovery platform has been
further validated by a significant recent discovery of the mechanism controlling survival of certain
blood cells”, said Dr Samaras.
Dr Michael Panaccio, Investment Principal, Starfish Ventures stated “Starfish was impressed by
MuriGen’s high quality development programs, proprietary drug discovery platform and, the track
record and caliber of MuriGen’s team. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the
MuriGen team and Australia’s preeminent medical research institute, the Walter and Eliza Hall
Institute”.
Dr Julian Clark, Head of Business Development, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute stated “We
are delighted at MuriGen’s success in attracting such significant Series A funding. MuriGen has
served as an excellent model for the Institute in how to accelerate the translation of late stage
research projects into development opportunities through engagement with strategic
partnerships.”
About MuriGen Therapeutics
MuriGen Therapeutics is building a portfolio of novel drugs for unmet medical needs across a
number of therapeutic areas including arthritis, thrombocytopenia, inflammation, epilepsy and
thalassemia. By leveraging its proprietary drug discovery platform, MuriGen Therapeutics is
working towards the validation of novel drug targets that have the potential to provide significant
benefits for researchers, health care practitioners, and patients. Further information about
MuriGen Therapeutics can be found at www.murigen.com.au
Starfish Ventures
Established in 2001, Starfish Ventures is an Australian owned venture capital fund manager
seeking superior returns through active investment in innovative technology companies. Starfish
Ventures has over $150 million in funds under management and has made investments in over
20 companies to date. Starfish seeks investments in emerging Australian businesses across all
technology sectors including biotechnology and life sciences, information and communications
technology, industrial technology and material sciences. The team's track record includes
Australian technology success stories ResMed, Moldflow, Engana and Sirtex Medical. Further
information about Starfish Ventures can be found at www.starfishventures.com.au
About WEHI
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) is one of the world’s leading
medical research institutes. WEHI’s international reputation has been built upon major
contributions to immunology, haematology, cancer, malaria and autoimmune diseases, including
diabetes, multiple sclerosis, coeliac disease and rheumatoid arthritis. WEHI actively pursues
translation of its research and over many decades, advances and discoveries in these areas have
led to significant benefits for patients throughout the world. WEHI is at the front line of the
biotechnology revolution, using advances in genetics, bioinformatics and structural biology to help
develop individualised therapies and more effective drugs. Further information about WEHI can
be found at www.wehi.edu.au
For further information, please contact
Dr Nick Samaras
Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: +61-3-9345-2115
Email: nsamaras@murigen.com.au
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