Character Biosciences expands leadership team, secures additional Series B financing

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Character Biosciences has expanded its leadership team with 4 senior appointments, as well as an expansion of its Series B financing.

Earlier in the year, Character Biosciences announced it had secured a $93 million Series B financing round for the advancement of its pipeline to treat degenerative eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Funding was co-led by new investors aMoon and Luma Group, with additional participation from Bausch + Lomb and Jefferson Life Sciences. Existing investors Innovation Endeavors, Catalio Capital Management, S32, and KdT Ventures also contributed.

New funding included participation from Sanofi Ventures, as well as new and existing investors.

Expansions of the leadership team include:

• Robert Kim, MD, MBA, as chief medical officer
• Daniel Elgort, PhD, as chief data & analytics officer
• Josh Buddle as head of clinical network and longitudinal research
• Jessamyn Wead as head of people

Cheng Zhang, CEO of Character Biosciences, commented on the new appointments and financing, saying, “These appointments and the additional funding mark an important moment for Character Bio as we advance our first therapeutic programs toward the clinic. The expanded leadership team and strong support from our investors strengthen our ability to deliver on our mission of transforming outcomes for patients with vision-threatening diseases.

Proceeds from the funding will go towards the development of CTX114 and CTX203, according to the company. CTX203 is a lipid modulator designed to prevent progression to advanced AMD, while CTX114 is a complement inhibitor for geographic atrophy (GA).

New appointee Robert Kim commented on the position, saying, “I am thrilled to join Character at such a pivotal time. Dry AMD is the next frontier in ophthalmology, and Character’s multidisciplinary approach has the potential to deliver treatments that truly address the unmet needs of patients.”

References:

1. Character Biosciences Expands Leadership Team with Key Appointments and Announces Series B Extension. Published September 17, 2025. Accessed September 18, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250917389360/en/Character-Biosciences-Expands-Leadership-Team-with-Key-Appointments-and-Announces-Series-B-Extension

2. Harp MD. Character Biosciences secures $93 million series B financing round. Published March 26, 2025. Accessed September 18, 2025. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/character-biosciences-secures-93-million-series-b-financing-round