A new drugmaker has come on the scene, according to a release from Newton startup Allena Pharmaceuticals Inc., and it launches with a $15 million Series A venture capital round, and a mission to create protein-based therapeutics to fight kidney and urologic conditions.
Backing Allena in its first funding round as lead investors are Bessemer Venture Partners, Frazier Healthcare and Third Rock Ventures. Founding members come from Alnara Pharmaceuticals, including Alnara co-founder and former CEO Alexey Margolin, and its former chief business officer Robert Gallotto. Alnara was sold to Eli Lilly & Co. in July 2010 for $180 million upfront and $200 million earnout.