Novo Holdings participates in $372.5 million Series D financing of MapLight Therapeutics to advance differentiated CNS therapies

Financing to support Phase 2 trials of lead program for schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease psychosis, and expansion of CNS pipeline

San Francisco, US, 28 July 2025 - Novo Holdings, a leading life science investor, today announced its participation in a $372.5 million Series D financing of MapLight Therapeutics (“MapLight”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of patients suffering from debilitating central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The funds will support the continued advancement of the Company’s lead program, ML-007C-MA, through Phase 2 clinical trials, as well as progress across its broader pipeline.

MapLight’s lead program, ML-007C-MA, is an oral fixed-dose combination of of the investigational M1/M4 muscarinic agonist, ML-007, co-formulated with a peripherally acting anticholinergic (PAC). The candidate is designed to activate both M1 and M4 muscarinic receptors in the CNS to drive efficacy, while synchronizing the pharmacokinetics of the agonist and antagonist components to mitigate peripheral cholinergic side effects. ML-007C-MA is currently being evaluated in Phase 2 trials for schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease psychosis (ADP). The Series D financing will also fund the exploration of other potential indications for ML-007C-MA, as well as the continued advancement of other clinical and preclinical pipeline programs.

Jim Trenkle, PhD, Partner, Venture Investments, Novo Holdings US and member of MapLight’s Board of Directors, commented: “We are proud to continue supporting MapLight’s pioneering science, outstanding team, and their mission to improve the lives of patients with serious CNS disorders. The unmet need in schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s Disease is immense, and I am enthusiastic about the potential of ML-007. Novel muscarinic agonists are changing this treatment landscape, and ML-007 has the potential to be best-in-class.”

The oversubscribed financing was co-led by Forbion and Life Sciences at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, with participation from additional new investors, including Sanofi. Novo Holdings joined alongside other existing investors including 5AM Ventures, Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities and others. Novo Holdings previously co-led MapLight’s $225 million Series C financing in October 2023.