Zafgen lands a $45M round for its obesity drug study

Zafgen CEO Tom Hughes told FierceBiotech last month that he was closing in on a new fundraising round for the biotech, which is developing a promising new therapy for obesity. And the money has arrived. Today, Cambridge, MA-based Zafgen said that it is banking $45 million from a Series E round, adding a group of new investors to its fan club that includes RA Capital Management, Brookside Capital, Venrock, Alta Partners, an undisclosed blue chip investor and a private investor. Just a few weeks ago Zafgen released promising mid-stage data for beloranib, demonstrating that patients in the high-dose arm of the study lost an average of 22 pounds after 12 weeks of therapy. The study sets the stage for a Phase IIb trial to study the right dose for a late-stage study while taking a look at a longer-term response among obese patients. Zafgen now has the cash to take its next big step in the clinic, with an IPO or a possible pact/buyout remaining for its next financing act. Release