About ESSA Pharma
ESSA Pharma is a publicly listed company based in Vancouver (Canada) founded in 2009, and was acquired by Alexis Bio in July 2025. Small molecule drugs for cancer treatment are developed. It operates on a HealthTech model. ESSA Pharma has raised $16.38 million across 10 funding rounds from investors including Pfizer, Blackstone and Alexis Bio. ESSA Pharma has completed 1 acquisition, including Realm Therapeutics. Its chief executive, as recorded, is David Parkinson. ESSA Pharma offers products and services including Masofaniten (EPI-7386). Its focus areas include Biotechnology and Oncology. Its legal entity is ESSA Pharma Inc.
Company details
ESSA Pharma is engaged in the development of novel therapies for prostate cancer treatment. The company operates in the healthcare sector, specifically targeting oncology through innovative approaches. Its lead candidate, masofaniten (EPI-7386), is designed to disrupt the androgen receptor signaling pathway, a key driver of prostate cancer growth. Solutions are developed to complement existing treatments by targeting the N-terminal domain of the androgen receptor, addressing resistance mechanisms in current therapies. Clinical trials, including monotherapy and combination studies, are conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.
- Headquarters Vancouver, Canada
- Stage Acquired
- SectorsHealthcare
- Email••••••••
- Phone•••• ••••
- Website essapharma.com
- Social LinkedIn X
- Acquired by Alexis Bio (Jul 2025)
- Legal Name Essa Pharma Inc.
- Net Profit-$28.54 M (USD)-7as on Sep 30, 2024
- Total Equity Funding$16.38M (USD)
in 10 rounds
- Latest Funding Round$10M (USD), Post-IPO
Jan 2021
- InvestorsPfizer
& 6 more
- Investments & Acquisitions
- Acquired byAlexis Bio
(Jul 2025)
Products & Services of ESSA Pharma
ESSA Pharma offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, including Masofaniten (EPI-7386).
Novel therapy targeting androgen receptor for prostate cancer.
Funding Insights of ESSA Pharma
ESSA Pharma has successfully raised a total of $16.38M across 10 strategic funding rounds. The most recent funding activity was a Post-IPO round of $10 million completed in January 2021. This substantial capital infusion reflects strong investor confidence in the company's business model, growth potential, and market opportunities. The funding enables strategic expansion, product development, market penetration, and operational scaling to drive long-term value creation and competitive advantage.
- Total Funding $16.38M
- Total Rounds 10
- Last Round Post-IPO — $10M
- First Round $3.19M
(Jul 2014)
- Investors Count 6
All 10 funding rounds of ESSA Pharma with amounts and investors; the two latest post-money valuations are shown, the rest are part of the premium plan.
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2021 | $10M | Post-IPO | – | – | |
| Jan 2018 | $5M | Post-IPO | – | – | |
| Jan 2018 | $21M | Post-IPO | – | – | – |
| Apr 2017 | $1.2M | Grant | – | – | |
| Nov 2016 | $10M | Debt – Conventional | – | – | – |
| Apr 2016 | $5M | Post-IPO | – | – | – |
| Jan 2016 | $15M | Post-IPO | – | – | |
| Jan 2015 | $12M | Series A | – | Deerfield, Special Situations Fund | |
| Oct 2014 | $1.2M | Series A | – | – | – |
| Jul 2014 | $3.19M | Series A | – | – | – |
7 investors in total: 7 institutional.
Investors in ESSA Pharma
ESSA Pharma has secured backing from 7 investors, including institutional and venture fund investors. Prominent investors backing the company include Pfizer, Blackstone and Alexis Bio.
| Investor | Description | Founded Year | Domain | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Venture capital firm | omegafunds.com | Boston, United States | ||
Healthcare ecosystem is supported through investment and innovation by Deerfield. | deerfield.com | New York, United States | ||
Diversified investment management is provided across multiple asset classes. | 1985 | blackstone.com | New York, United States | |
Investment services are offered for special financial situations by the company. | ssfund.com | New York, United States | ||
Pharmaceutical products for treating multiple diseases are provided. | 1849 | pfizer.com | New York, United States | |
| cprit.texas.gov | ||||
Cell therapies for common and rare diseases are developed. | 2016 | alexisbio.com | Boston, United States |
Investor details for ESSA Pharma
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People of ESSA Pharma
12 people are tracked at ESSA Pharma (4 in leadership, 8 in board & advisors).
| Name | Role | Group |
|---|---|---|
David Parkinson | CEO | Leadership |
Marianne Sadar | Scientific Founder | Leadership |
David S. Wood | Chief Financial Officer | Leadership |
Peter Virsik | EVP & COO | Leadership |
Richard Glickman | Chairman | Board & advisors |
Alex Martin | Director | Board & advisors |
Philip Kantoff | Director | Board & advisors |
Sandy Zweifach | Director | Board & advisors |
Gary Sollis | Director | Board & advisors |
Franklin Berger | Director | Board & advisors |
Marella Thorell | Director | Board & advisors |
Scott Requadt | Director | Board & advisors |
Complete people profiles for ESSA Pharma
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IPO & Listings of ESSA Pharma
ESSA Pharma is a publicly listed company on the NASDAQ with ticker symbol EPIX in USA, operating in the Health technology sector. As a publicly traded entity, the company provides investors with opportunities to participate in its growth story through equity ownership. The listing enables access to capital markets, enhances corporate visibility, and provides liquidity for shareholders while maintaining transparency through regulatory compliance and regular financial disclosures.
- IPO date27 Nov 2017
- Listed onTSX-V: EPI
- Listed entityESSA Pharma Inc.
- Exchange sectorHealth technology
Investments & Acquisitions by ESSA Pharma
ESSA Pharma has strategically engaged in corporate development activities, having acquired 1 company. Notable acquisitions include Realm Therapeutics.
| Company Name | Description | Domain | Location | Founded | Acquired | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Immunomodulatory formulations for the treatment of eye and skin inflammation. | realmtx.com | Malvern, United States | 1997 | May 2019 | $21.5M |
Complete acquisition details for ESSA Pharma
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Timeline of ESSA Pharma
6 dated milestones of ESSA Pharma across 16 years, from founding to its latest funding, stage changes and deals.
- Founded ESSA Pharma is founded.
- Funding First funding round of $3.2M.
- IPO Lists on the stock exchange (IPO).
- Acquisition Acquires Realm Therapeutics.
- Funding Latest funding round, Post-IPO, of $10.0M.
- Exit Acquired by Alexis Bio.
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Frequently Asked Questions about ESSA Pharma
ESSA Pharma was founded in 2009 and raised its 1st funding round 5 years after it was founded.
ESSA Pharma is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. It is registered at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
David Parkinson is the CEO of ESSA Pharma, as recorded in our data.
ESSA Pharma is a funded company, having raised a total of $16.38M across 10 funding rounds to date. The company's 1st funding round was a Series A of $3.19M, raised on Jul 2014.
ESSA Pharma is engaged in the development of novel therapies for prostate cancer treatment. The company operates in the healthcare sector, specifically targeting oncology through innovative approaches. Its lead candidate, masofaniten (EPI-7386), is designed to disrupt the androgen receptor signaling pathway, a key driver of prostate cancer growth. Solutions are developed to complement existing treatments by targeting the N-terminal domain of the androgen receptor, addressing resistance mechanisms in current therapies. Clinical trials, including monotherapy and combination studies, are conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.
ESSA Pharma offers Masofaniten (EPI-7386).
Yes, ESSA Pharma is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol EPIX.
ESSA Pharma has made 1 acquisition, including Realm Therapeutics.
ESSA Pharma has 7 investors. Key investors include Pfizer, Blackstone, Alexis Bio, Omega Funds, and CPRIT.
ESSA Pharma operates through Essa Pharma Inc..
Yes. ESSA Pharma was acquired by Alexis Bio in July 2025.