# Rapafusyn Pharmaceuticals

> Rapafusyn Pharmaceuticals is a Baltimore-based, clinical-stage drug discovery company spun out of Johns Hopkins University. Its RapaGlue platform designs non-degrading, cell-permeable macrocyclic molecular glues that modulate hard-to-drug intracellular and transmembrane targets - drawing on a proprietary DNA-encoded library of more than 8 billion compounds and machine learning for target selection. The lead program, RAP-0001, is a selective ENT1 inhibitor advancing toward IND-enabling studies for the prevention of acute kidney injury in cardiac surgery patients, with a broader pipeline spanning oncology, immunology, and pain.

- **Founded:** 2015
- **Headquarters:** Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- **Founders:** Jun O. Liu (Scientific Founder; Professor of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University)
- **Team size:** ~21 employees
- **Products:** RapaGlue Platform, RAP-0001 (ENT1 inhibitor)
- **Notable:** Closed an over-subscribed $44 million Series A financing in September 2025., Built a proprietary DNA-encoded library exceeding 8 billion non-degrading molecular glue compounds., Presented in vivo data on its ENT1 inhibitor for acute kidney injury at ASN Kidney Week 2024.

## Products & services

- **RapaGlue Platform** — A proprietary drug discovery platform that generates non-degrading, cell-permeable macrocyclic molecular glues capable of modulating protein-protein interactions, transcription factors, transporters, ion channels, and enzymes. Built on a DNA-encoded library of 8+ billion compounds and enhanced with machine learning for target selection and optimization.
- **RAP-0001 (ENT1 inhibitor)** — Lead program: a selective ENT1 inhibitor that binds the intracellular chaperone FKBP12 and ENT1 to form a ternary complex, advancing toward IND-enabling studies for the prevention of acute kidney injury in cardiac surgery patients.

## Achievements

- Closed an over-subscribed $44 million Series A financing in September 2025.
- Built a proprietary DNA-encoded library exceeding 8 billion non-degrading molecular glue compounds.
- Presented in vivo data on its ENT1 inhibitor for acute kidney injury at ASN Kidney Week 2024.
- Advanced lead program RAP-0001 toward IND-enabling studies.
- Spun proprietary macrocycle chemistry out of Dr. Jun O. Liu's Johns Hopkins laboratory.

## Latest updates

- **2025-09** — Closed an over-subscribed $44 million Series A financing led by new investors BioTrack Capital and Yonjin Capital, alongside 3E Bioventures Capital, Proxima Ventures, and Lapam Capital.
- **2024-10** — Presented in vivo data on its ENT1 inhibitor for acute kidney injury at ASN Kidney Week 2024.

## Links

- Website: https://rapafusyn.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rapafusyn-pharmaceuticals

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Last updated: 2026-07-18