- One of the largest private biotech financings of 2025, following Forbion-backed Verdiva
- MapLight Therapeutics is the sixth private investment made from the Forbion Growth III Fund
Naarden, The Netherlands, July 28, 2025 – Forbion, a leading European life sciences venture capital firm, today announced it has co-led an oversubscribed $372.5 million Series D financing in MapLight Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing novel therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This landmark financing represents one of the largest private biotech raises globally in 2025, following Forbion portfolio company Verdiva, and positions MapLight to drive its lead program through late-stage clinical development.
The round was co-led by Forbion and Life Sciences at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, with additional new investors including Sanofi, accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. and Avego BioScience Capital. Participation also came from existing investors including Novo Holdings, 5AM Ventures, and Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities. Forbion also joins MapLight’s Board of Directors.
MapLight’s lead candidate, ML-007C-MA, is an oral fixed-dose combination of a CNS-penetrant M1/M4 muscarinic agonist (ML-007) with a peripherally acting anticholinergic (PAC). This combination is designed to drive efficacy through dual M1/M4 activation in the brain while minimizing peripheral side effects by aligning the pharmacokinetics of its components.
Proceeds from the Series D will support advancement of ML-007C-MA through ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials in schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease psychosis, with additional exploration of other CNS indications and continued pipeline development.
We see significant opportunity in ML-007C-MA as a potential best-in-class M1/M4 muscarinic agonist that is well positioned to address the substantial unmet medical need in schizophrenia, ADP and other CNS indications.
Nanna Lüneborg, Ph.D., M.B.A.
General Partner at Forbion, who has joined the MapLight Board of Directors
The caliber of this new investor group, combined with the continued strong support from our high-quality existing shareholders, is a testament to MapLight’s compelling vision and strategy. This financing is a clear validation of our differentiated product pipeline, dedicated team and commitment to advancing new medicines for brain disorders that make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.
Christopher Kroeger, M.D., M.B.A.
Chief Executive Officer and Founder of MapLight