Beyond Next Ventures Inc. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Tsuyoshi Ito) is pleased to announce our investment in the Series A round of FELIQS CORPORATION (Fukuoka, Japan; President & CEO: Ken-ichiro Kuninobu, Ph.D.). FELIQS raised $9 million in this round to advance its lead program in pediatric ophthalmology.

About FELIQS CORPORATION

FELIQS is a biotechnology company focused on developing small-molecule therapeutics that target ferroptosis and oxidized lipids. Its lead program, FLQ-101, is being developed for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a serious eye disorder that can lead to blindness in premature neonates. In 2024, FLQ-101 was granted both Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Clinical trials in the United States are scheduled to begin in 2025.

Web: https://feliqs.com/
You can view FELIQS’s press release here.

Background of the Investment

ROP is a leading cause of childhood blindness and remains a significant unmet medical need. FELIQS’s lead compound, FLQ-101, takes a novel approach by targeting oxidized lipids, a key factor implicated in the pathogenesis of ROP. This pioneering mechanism of action led to both Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation from the U.S. FDA. Beyond ROP, FELIQS’s scientific platform holds promise for broader applications in diseases associated with ferroptosis.

In addition to its strong scientific foundation, FELIQS has established a global management structure. Under the leadership of Dr. Ken-ichiro Kuninobu, the existing team is now joined by three new board members with deep expertise in global operations and drug development, brought on through this successful Series A financing.

Beyond Next Ventures is proud to support FELIQS’s robust science and leadership team, and is committed to advancing innovative therapies for ophthalmic diseases that can transform patient outcomes and contribute to global health.

Comment from Beyond Next Ventures

Keigo Yato, Ph.D. (Senior Associate) and Takehiko Sawabe (Director)
We are truly pleased to support FELIQS, led by Dr. Ken-ichiro Kuninobu. His outstanding leadership, together with the highly experienced advisory team he has assembled, represents a major strength of the company. We firmly believe that this innovative therapeutic approach has the potential to address ROP — a leading cause of childhood blindness — and to significantly improve the lives of children around the world. Together with the new investors joining this round, we are committed to strongly supporting FELIQS’s global expansion and the development of FLQ-101, contributing to the advancement of human health and well-being.

About Beyond Next Ventures Inc.

Creating the beyond next society; enabling exceptional people solving global challenges.
We believe deep tech scientific innovations can enrich the world. Gathering top talent and risk financing together with these innovations inspires new business models and ensures future generations by creating a reinforcing cycle of science and technology innovation.

• Head Office: 3-7-2 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, MFPR Nihonbashi Honcho Building, 3rd Floor
• Subsidairy: Galaxy-Wework, 43, Residency Road, Shanthala Nagar Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India – 560025
• Representative: President & CEO, Tsuyoshi Ito
• Established: August 2014
• Business: Investment and growth support for deep tech startups in Japan and India, support for the commercialization of research seeds, cultivation and formation of management talent and teams, operation of shared wet labs, etc.
• Website: https://beyondnextventures.com