Loading organizations...
§ Private Profile · Brisbane, CA, USA
MyoKardia is a technology company.
MyoKardia has raised $94.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Key people at MyoKardia.
MyoKardia has raised $94.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
MyoKardia developed targeted small molecule therapies for cardiovascular diseases, particularly genetic heart conditions. Its lead product, mavacamten, is a first-in-class, oral, allosteric cardiac myosin inhibitor, designed to directly modulate cardiac muscle contraction. This approach addresses the underlying molecular mechanisms of inherited heart disorders, offering a specific intervention for complex conditions.
Founded in 2013, MyoKardia was established by pioneering researchers James Spudich, Jonathan Seidman, Christine Seidman, and Leslie Leinwand. These experts in muscle biology and cardiovascular genetics shared the insight that precisely targeting cardiac muscle contraction proteins could yield effective treatments for inherited heart diseases, rather than just managing symptoms.
MyoKardia's therapies are intended for patients suffering from severe genetic heart diseases, notably hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The company's vision was to create precision medicines correcting the fundamental causes of these conditions, aiming to provide novel treatments for underserved cardiovascular patient populations and improve long-term outcomes.
Key people at MyoKardia.
MyoKardia has raised $94.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $46.0M Series B in April 2015.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 2015 | $46M Series B | — | BridgeBio, Casdin Capital, Cormorant Asset Management, Perceptive Life Sciences, Sanofi | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2014 | $10M Series U | — | Third Rock Ventures | Announced |
| Sep 20, 2012 | $38M Series A | Charles Homcy | — | Announced |
MyoKardia is a biopharmaceutical company, not a technology company in the software or hardware sense, focused on developing precision medicines for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).[1][3][5] It builds targeted therapies like the small molecule mavacamten, which addresses the underlying cause of HCM by inhibiting cardiac myosin to reduce excessive heart muscle contraction.[1][6] Serving patients with serious heart conditions such as HCM and dilated cardiomyopathy, MyoKardia solves the problem of heterogeneous CVDs by subtyping patient populations for more effective, transformative treatments rather than symptomatic relief.[1][3][6] The company achieved significant growth momentum, completing Phase III trials in eight years from founding, submitting its first drug (mavacamten) to the FDA, and culminating in a $13.1 billion acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb.[1][4]
Founded in 2012 in California, MyoKardia emerged amid rising momentum in precision medicine, inspired by successes like Vertex's ivacaftor for cystic fibrosis and companies such as Foundation Medicine, Agios, and bluebird bio backed by its founding investors.[1][5] Key leaders like Gianakakos highlighted the unmet need in CVDs, the leading global cause of death, driving the focus on cardiac-specific therapies.[1] Early traction included advancing programs in hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies, with pivotal moments like successful Phase III trials (EXPLORER-HCM and MAVERICK-HCM) and ongoing long-term studies, leading to FDA submission plans.[1][6]
MyoKardia rides the precision medicine trend in biotech, applying genetic subtyping from oncology successes to cardiology, where CVDs cause more deaths than any other disease globally.[1] Timing was ideal post-2012, as targeted therapies gained traction, enabling MyoKardia to pioneer cardiac-specific drugs amid market forces like aging populations and rising heart failure burdens.[1][4] Its influence shaped the ecosystem through Bristol Myers Squibb's acquisition, expanding access to HCM treatments and fostering collaboration in heart failure research, education, and advocacy.[4]
Post-acquisition integration with Bristol Myers Squibb positions MyoKardia's assets like mavacamten for global scaling, with long-term studies and pipeline expansions (e.g., MYK-581 in preclinical) driving sustained impact in cardiomyopathies.[1][4][6] Trends like AI-enhanced patient subtyping and myosin-targeted therapies will shape its legacy, evolving influence toward broader CVD reversal and reduced heart failure burdens. This precision pioneer transforms cardiac care, fulfilling its founding mission to save lives from the world's top killer.[1]
MyoKardia has raised $94.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
MyoKardia's investors include BridgeBio, Casdin Capital, Cormorant Asset Management, Perceptive Life Sciences, Sanofi, Third Rock Ventures, Charles Homcy.
