BioMarin Veterans Launch Mendra Biotech with $82M for AI-Driven Rare Disease Drugs

Mendra, a new startup founded by veterans from BioMarin Pharmaceutical and Escient Pharmaceuticals, launched after raising $82 million in Series A financing led by OrbiMed, 8VC, and 5AM Ventures.1

The funding will be used to acquire assets and advance development of rare disease therapies using artificial intelligence to accelerate drug development, patient identification, clinical trials, and commercialization.1

CEO Joshua Grass worked at BioMarin from 2002 to 2017; Jeff Ajer was chief commercial officer at BioMarin; other leaders include Lalarukh Haris Shaikh from Palantir and Gregory Balani from Escient.1

Mendra aims to modernize rare disease drug development amid growing regulatory focus, such as the FDA's new pathway for bespoke treatments.1

Sources:

1. https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/mendra-rare-disease-biotech-startup-ai-biomarin-financing/810204/