OrbiMed, Arix lead Imara's $63M B round

Imara will use its $63 million series B round to prepare lead compound IMR-687 for a Phase III program in adults with sickle cell disease, and to position the oral phosphodiesterase-9 (PDE-9) inhibitor for pediatric use and for other indications such as thalassemia.

The round was co-led by new investors OrbiMed Advisors and Arix Bioscience plc (LSE:ARIX); Arix invested $15 million for a 10% fully diluted stake in Imara Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.)...