Kamari Pharma, a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Ness Ziona, Israel, has secured \$23 million in a Series A funding round. The financing was co-led by new investor BRM Group and existing investor Pontifax, with additional participants also contributing. The funds will support the advancement of Kamari’s lead program, KM023, into clinical development. KM023 is an oral inhibitor targeting the TRPV3 receptor, designed to treat three rare genetic skin diseases: Olmsted syndrome, severe keratoderma, and ichthyosis.
The company plans to start proof-of-concept clinical trials for each of these conditions, beginning with Olmsted syndrome in the second half of 2025. Top-line results from this Phase 1b trial are expected by the end of the year.
David Aviezer, Kamari Pharma’s CEO, said the investment reflects confidence in KM023’s potential to become a first-in-class treatment for rare genetic skin diseases. He added that strong preclinical data supports their efforts to advance the drug quickly and generate clinical data by year-end.
Alon Maor, Partner at BRM Group, noted that Kamari’s approach of blocking TRPV3—a key regulator in skin diseases—sets the company apart in the rare dermatology field. He expressed enthusiasm about working with Kamari’s experienced team to develop new, safe, and effective therapies.
Ran Nussbaum, Managing Partner at Pontifax, emphasized Pontifax’s ongoing support for Kamari, having been the company’s founder and first investor. He praised Kamari’s scientific progress and leadership and expressed confidence that the company will significantly improve the lives of patients with rare skin diseases linked to the TRPV3 pathway.
Kamari Pharma focuses on developing first-in-class treatments for rare and severe genetic skin conditions. Alongside KM023, the company is also developing a topical drug, KM001, which showed promising results in a Phase 1b study in keratoderma patients. Kamari’s leadership team includes experts with extensive experience in drug discovery, dermatology pharmaceutical development, and rare disease therapeutics.
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