Led by a KEDGE graduate, Horama raises 22.5 million euros!

An ambitious project

Based in Paris and Nantes, the pharmaceutical company Horama was established in 2014 following a significant body of research conducted by Inserm of Nantes and Montpellier. Currently composed of eight employees mainly based in Paris, Horama is directed by Christine Placet, a 1987 graduate of KEDGE Business School.

This € 22.5 million, which was  raised from both previous and new investors, aims to accelerate the development of a gene therapy dedicated to treatment of rare eye diseases.

"We had a quantified target,” says Christine Placet. “Above all, we wanted to build a strong and motivated group of investors to support us. "

The product, named HORA-PDE6B, is currently being tested on a dozen patients. The results of these tests will be released in 2020. 

[PRESS RELEASE] Horama has reached its goal of raising 22.5 million euros to close out its “Series B” round of fundraising. We are happy to have attracted five new investors. This fundraising will mainly be used to support the development of the HORA-PDE6B programme #genetherapy pic.twitter.com/lM3LUEzTNT

— Horama (@Horama_Eye) 18 September 2018

Christine Placet, a successful leader

This impressive raising of funds isn’t the first remarkable feat by this former KEDGE student. In 2015, Christine Placet, then President of the directory of Trophos, and Vice-President of France Biotech, participated in the sale of the Marseille company Trophos to the Roche Groupe, for a total amount of 470 million euros! Of this 470 million euros, 350 million was dedicated to the development of a treatment for another genetic illness, one that affects motor neurons. A professional success that commands respect, especially since it is closely linked to improving patient’s quality of life.

Furthermore, Horama has also had its activities acknowledged by being ranked as one of the “Best French Start-Ups in 2018” carried out by L’Express, which also names other start-ups created by KEDGE graduates.

FIND OUT MORE : TWO KEDGERS AMONG THE BEST START-UPPERS OF 2018

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