Opterion Health closes oversubscribed financing round, securing CHF 6.5m, and announces changes to its Board of Directors
- Opterion Health secures CHF 6.5m commitments to fund ongoing preclinical and Phase I preparation activities to create a new standard in Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
- Financing round supported by private and institutional investors oversubscribed by over 60%
- As part of this capital round, additional option capital in the magnitude of CHF 7.3m issued
- Stefan Wohlfeil to step down from the Board of Directors
- Jan-Anders Karlsson and Robert Leitz elected as new members of the Board of Directors
Muttenz, Switzerland, 20 September 2023 – Opterion Health AG, a Swiss-based life sciences company developing the first major innovation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) for two decades, today announced the successful completion of a CHF 6.5m financing round. The proceeds will be used to complete ongoing preclinical activities and prepare for the start of Phase I studies. Separately, Stefan Wohlfeil has decided to retire and step down as a member of the Board of Directors. At the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 19 September 2023, shareholders elected Jan-Anders Karlsson and Robert Leitz as new members of the Board of Directors.
Opterion Health is developing a novel PD approach, aiming to revolutionize the dialysis market. Animal studies have shown the superiority of the Opterion PD solution over the ‘gold standard’ of the current market leader. Preparations for Phase I are progressing well.
Peter Reinemer, CEO of Opterion Health, commented: “I am delighted about the broad participation and substantial commitments received in this financing round by current and new investors. It gives our company a comfortable cash runway as we move towards Phase I. Our entire team is focused on taking our novel PD solution, which has the potential to improve the quality of life of so many patients, into the clinic and ultimately to the market.”
Separately, at the EGM held yesterday, shareholders elected Jan-Anders Karlsson and Robert Leitz as new members of the Board of Directors. Stefan Wohlfeil has decided to retire from his position but remains a partner and shareholder.
“The Board and the Management Team thanks Stefan for his support and his outstanding contribution to the continuing success of Opterion Health. He has played a critical role in the development of the company, which is now progressing towards the clinic with an innovative approach to PD that could bring major benefits for patients. We are very grateful for Stefan’s continuing commitment to helping shape the company as a partner and investor. I would like to welcome Jan-Anders and Robert as new Board members. Their expertise and experience are an excellent fit for Opterion Health as we take our lead product to the next level,” said David Ebsworth, Chairman of Opterion Health.
Biographies
Jan-Anders Karlsson, PhD, has 40 years of experience as a CEO and board member in pharma and biotech companies in Europe, Asia and the US. Jan-Anders was a founder and CEO of Reset Pharmaceuticals Inc, and prior to this served as CEO of Verona Pharma, a NASDAQ-listed biopharmaceutical company developing respiratory drugs. As CEO of S*BIO Pte Ltd, he focused on the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of cancer – its product Vonjo (pacritinib) is approved in the US. Prior to S*BIO, he was Head of Pharma Global Research at Bayer Healthcare AG and held positions in Rhone-Poulenc Rorer and Astra AB. Jan-Anders received a doctorate in Medical Science (PhD) in Clinical Experimental Pharmacology from the University of Lund, Sweden.
Robert Leitz has 20 years of experience at renowned financial institutions and is the Managing Director of iolite Capital, a private investment firm based in Pfäffikon SZ, Switzerland. Before iolite, he held positions at Glencore (the world’s largest commodity trader) and various financial institutions, including TPG Credit (a hedge fund), Goldman Sachs’ European Special Situations Group, and KPMG Corporate Restructuring. Robert graduated from the University of St. Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, with an MSc. in Business Administration and Economics, and wrote his master’s thesis under the guidance of Prof. Eli Noam at Columbia University, New York. Robert is a member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and is Finance Chair for the Zurich chapter.
For more information, please contact:
Beatrix Benz at media@opterion.com or +41 79 256 77 73
About Opterion Health AG
Opterion Health was founded in 2012 by Guido Grentzmann with the goal of developing solutions to minimize the side effects of dialysis. The Company received strong financial backing from leading life science investors in 2015 and has built a strong team of scientists and entrepreneurs, supported by a network of leading nephrologists in Europe.
The company is developing a novel peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution, aiming to revolutionize the dialysis market. Animal studies have shown the superiority of the Opterion PD solution over the “gold standard” of the current market leader. Opterion is based in Muttenz, Switzerland. For more information, please visit Opterion Health AG
