Tensha Therapeutics has raised $15 million in a Series A financing to advance the development of small molecule bromodomain inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and other conditions by regulating the transcription of disease-associated genes. The company's lead program, presently in preclinical development, is a first-in-class small molecule aimed at the treatment of BRD4-NUT midline carcinoma (a rare, invariably fatal cancer), acute myeloid leukemias, multiple myeloma, and other malignancies. HealthCare Ventures is the sole investor in the financing.

"Our collaborative studies to date have established the feasibility of targeting epigenetic reader proteins. Through Tensha, we have a foundation for developing and translating novel bromodomain inhibitors. This financing will allow Tensha to advance our first-in-class program through clinical proof-of-concept, lay the groundwork for clinical studies in other cancer indications, and advance the preclinical development of bromodomain inhibitors in areas outside of oncology," said Dr. Bradner, investigator at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.