Mirum launches with liver disease candidates from Shire

Mirum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (San Francisco, Calif.) launched with a $120 million series A round and a license from Shire plc (LSE:SHP; NASDAQ:SHPG) to a pair of candidates to treat liver diseases. The start-up intends to start Phase III testing next year of one compound, maralixibat (formerly SHP-625), to treat Alagille syndrome and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC).

New Enterprise Associates led the round. Also participating were Deerfield Management, Frazier Healthcare Partners, Novo Holdings A/S (Hellerup, Denmark), Pappas Capital, RiverVest Venture Partners and Rock Springs Capital...