Castle Creek Pharma

Exton, PA, United States Biotech & Pharma Private

Castle Creek Biosciences is a late-stage cell and gene therapy company developing re-dosable gene therapies for rare genetic diseases, with a focus on dermatology and connective tissue disorders. The company's lead candidate, dabocemagene autoficel (FCX-007, D-Fi), is an investigational gene therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Castle Creek operates a commercial-scale manufacturing facility and is a portfolio company of Paragon Biosciences.

Overview

Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Founded

2020

Employees

11–50

Total Funding

$232.6M

3 rounds

Funding

Total raised $232.6M across 3 rounds

Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Last updated 06-25-2026

Latest Round

Type

Series C

Date

May 25, 2022

Amount

$112.8M

Valuation

DateRoundAmount RaisedValuationLead Investors
May 25, 2022 Series C $112.8M
October 19, 2018 Investment Round $71.8M Paragon Biosciences
2016 Investment Round $48M Fidelity Management & Research Company

Prominent Investors

Fidelity Management & Research Company Valor Equity Partners Paragon Biosciences Horizon Technology Finance Paragon Biosciences Fidelity Management & Research Company Valor Equity Partners

Leadership

  • Matthew Gantz

    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

  • David Chu

    Chief Medical Officer

  • Michael Townsley

    Head of Quality Assurance

  • Christopher J. Larson

    Vice President, Quality Control

  • Rhea Williams

    Vice President, Regulatory Affairs

  • Matthew Crabtree

    Vice President, Finance

  • Robin Blumenthal

    Associate Vice President, Clinical Operations

Competitors

Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.

  • Sesen Bio

    Gene therapy and cell therapy company focused on rare genetic diseases

  • Krystal Biotech

    Gene therapy company focused on rare dermatologic conditions

  • Dova Pharmaceuticals

    Biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for rare diseases

Castle Creek Pharma Investment FAQ

Public status and buying access

No. Castle Creek Pharma is a private company and does not have a public stock ticker or trade on a public stock exchange. Its shares are generally held by founders, employees, investors, and other private shareholders. Buyers and sellers may be able to transact in Castle Creek Pharma shares through private secondary transactions, but any transaction depends on share availability, buyer and seller agreement, transfer restrictions, company approval rights, and any applicable right of first refusal. There is no guarantee that Castle Creek Pharma will complete an IPO or other liquidity event.

Yes, it is sometimes possible to buy Castle Creek Pharma shares pre-IPO through private secondary transactions. This depends on finding a willing seller, company approval, and satisfying any transfer restrictions or rights of first refusal.

Buyers interested in buying Castle Creek Pharma shares on the secondary market typically do so through SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, subject to eligibility requirements, share availability, transfer restrictions, and issuer approval. Buyers may need to satisfy sophistication, accreditation, institutional, platform, regulatory, or other eligibility requirements before participating. Once eligible, buyers may be able to view listings, make bids, and work with a licensed broker through the transaction process. Buyers should ensure they have appropriate legal and financial advisors guiding them before completing any transaction.

Valuation and funding

Castle Creek Pharma's latest disclosed funding round was a Series C round in May 25, 2022. The round raised approximately $112.8M. Primary funding rounds are different from secondary transactions: in a primary round, capital goes to the company, while in a secondary transaction, investors buy existing shares from current shareholders. Funding-round data reflects publicly reported or collected information and may be incomplete.

Castle Creek Pharma has raised approximately $232.6M in disclosed funding across 3 rounds. These figures reflect primary capital raised by the company and do not include every possible secondary transaction, undisclosed round, debt facility, or private transfer. Reported funding totals can change as new rounds are announced or older round details are corrected. Eligible users can use SetterVC to track Castle Creek Pharma's funding history alongside private-market activity where available.

Castle Creek Pharma's disclosed investors include Fidelity Management & Research Company, Valor Equity Partners, Paragon Biosciences, Horizon Technology Finance, Paragon Biosciences and Fidelity Management & Research Company. Investor lists are based on public reporting, company announcements, and collected funding-round data, and may be incomplete. Participation in a prior funding round does not mean those investors are currently buying or selling shares. On SetterVC, eligible users can review Castle Creek Pharma's funding history, valuation history, and private-market activity alongside other venture-backed companies.

Market context

Castle Creek Pharma's most-cited competitors include Sesen Bio, Krystal Biotech and Dova Pharmaceuticals. Investors often compare these companies by sector, product focus, valuation, funding raised, growth signals, investor base, and private-market activity.

Secondary-market demand for Castle Creek Pharma shares can be affected by company performance, revenue growth, profitability, funding history, valuation, investor interest, sector momentum, public-market conditions, expected timing of a liquidity event, and the availability of shares for sale. Demand can also be affected by transfer restrictions, company approval rights, right of first refusal processes, limited information, and the price expectations of buyers and sellers. Strong demand does not guarantee strong pricing, liquidity, or investment returns. Weak demand does not necessarily reflect the company's long-term prospects. Demand signals should not be treated as a recommendation or prediction of investment performance. Buyers and sellers should treat demand signals as informational and conduct their own diligence before transacting.

Selling and transaction mechanics

Sellers often rely on intermediaries and platforms, such as SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, to identify potential buyers. The exact process varies by company and transaction, but sellers often begin by confirming their ownership, desired price, transferability, and any company approval or notice requirements. If the seller agrees with a buyer on acceptable price and terms, the company may need to be notified through a share transfer notice or similar process. If a right of first refusal, company approval right, or other transfer restriction applies, the seller may need to wait until that process is completed. The parties may then execute a purchase and sale agreement, complete required transfer documentation, and close if all required conditions are satisfied. Sellers should always seek proper legal and financial advice before completing the transaction.

Yes, current and former Castle Creek Pharma employees, early investors, and other existing shareholders may be able to sell vested shares before an IPO through a private secondary sale. This is not automatic; it depends on whether the shareholder has transferable shares, whether there is buyer demand, and whether the company's governing documents permit the transfer. Many companies require prior notice, company approval, or a right of first refusal before shares can be sold. Sellers should also seek proper legal and financial advice before proceeding.

A Castle Creek Pharma secondary transaction usually involves an existing shareholder selling shares to a buyer before a public listing. The buyer and seller typically agree on price, number of shares, share class, and closing conditions. The seller may then need to notify Castle Creek Pharma through a share transfer notice or similar process. If Castle Creek Pharma or existing investors have approval rights, transfer restrictions, or a right of first refusal, those steps may need to be completed before the transfer can close. The parties typically enter into a purchase and sale agreement, complete any required transfer documentation, and close only if the necessary conditions are satisfied. Timing and certainty can vary by company and transaction.

In most private secondary transactions, parties commonly use a purchase and sale agreement that outlines price, terms, and conditions. They may also use share transfer documentation, often a stock transfer notice, share transfer notice, transfer instruction, or similar document, along with any required company approval or right of first refusal materials. Proof of ownership, such as a cap table entry, share certificate, brokerage statement, issuer confirmation, or administrator confirmation, may also be important. Buyers often request recent company financials, but private companies may limit disclosure. Since every deal varies, buyers and sellers should consult legal and financial advisors to understand which documents are needed.

Risk, diligence, and investor caution

Buying Castle Creek Pharma shares pre-IPO is risky. Shares are illiquid, no IPO or liquidity event is guaranteed, valuations can change, transfers may require company approval, and private companies may provide limited financial disclosure. Be prepared for total loss. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, verify information, and seek independent legal and investment advice before proceeding.

Private secondary shares are typically illiquid. Unlike public stocks, there is no active public market, so selling them can be difficult and time-consuming. Sales depend on finding a willing buyer and often require company approval. Investors should be prepared to hold the shares for an extended period, with no guarantee of a future sale. Always assess your need for liquidity before investing.

SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, including verifying ownership, transferability, legal structure, company approval, and assessing the company's prospects. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide advice on whether an investment is good, what price to pay, or what the best bid or ask is. SetterVC and Setter Capital may share documents in some circumstances, but it does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Before buying Castle Creek Pharma shares, a buyer should try to review the share class, price per share, implied valuation, transfer restrictions, ROFR process, company approval rights, seller ownership evidence, recent financing or tender-offer information, available financial information, information rights, resale restrictions, tax considerations, and expected liquidity paths. Not all information may be available for a private company. Buyers should confirm available diligence, process details, and information needs with their own legal, tax, and investment advisers.

SPVs carry risks. Examples include the need to confirm the company allows SPV-based transfers, verify that the SPV truly owns the shares or interests it claims to own, and ensure it has not sold more interests than it holds. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Forward contracts carry risks. Examples include the seller refusing to transfer the shares at the future date, even if the seller owns them, the seller going bankrupt with creditors claiming the shares, or the seller committing the same shares to multiple parties. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Access live market data

Sign Up

Data collected with AI, which can make mistakes. Please double-check this information.