9.19.2023
AIRNA (President and CEO: Kris Elverum; Headquarters: Cambridge, USA), a biotech company pioneering RNA editing therapeutics to restore the health of patients with rare and common diseases, today emerged from stealth mode with a $30 million initial financing. Fast Track Initiative (hereinafter referred to as ‘FTI’) participated in the initial financing with ARCH Venture Partners, ND Capital, Novalis, and Codon Capital. FTI has been supporting AIRNA as one of its first overseas investments to advance a pipeline of RNA editing therapeutics into precise medicines that could significantly impact patients’ lives.
RNA editing is a disruptive therapeutic modality with a unique potential to unlock the full promise of genetically defined medicines for rare and common diseases. ADAR-directed RNA editing delivers a safe oligonucleotide that is programmed to recruit an endogenous cellular enzyme, ADAR, to introduce a precise modification to a patient’s RNA, resulting in changes to the encoded therapeutic proteins. AIRNA’s RESTORE+™ platform represents a systematic evolution of this groundbreaking research, meticulously optimizing each therapeutic’s sequence, chemistry, and delivery for precise, efficient, and safe RNA editing. This advancement is set to generate a robust pipeline of best-in-class products.
In certain clinical scenarios, site-directed RNA editing may offer a safer and more effective alternative to genome editing. RESTORE+™ requires only the administration of an oligonucleotide, bypassing the challenges associated with ectopic protein expression. FTI anticipates the future endeavors of AIRNA as it presents an attractive approach to drug development, promising a brighter future for patients in need.
“AIRNA is pioneering the discovery and development of RNA editing therapeutics, and was fortunate to have FTI as an investor in our initial financing. We have benefited greatly from FTI’s deep insights and industry network as we seek to deliver on the promise of genetically defined medicines for patients with rare and common diseases,” said Kris Elverum, President and CEO of AIRNA.
To view the original news, visit https://airna.com/airna-launches-to-develop-new-class-of-rna-editing-therapeutics-for-rare-and-common-diseases/
The news release was also covered by Endpoints News https://endpts.com/arch-backed-startup-airna-launches-with-30m-for-rna-editing-therapies/ and BioPharma Dive https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/airna-aatd-rna-editing-arch/693985/
About AIRNA
AIRNA is pioneering the discovery and development of RNA editing therapeutics to deliver on the promise of genetically defined medicines for patients with rare and common diseases. RNA editing is poised to lead the next generation of RNA therapeutics by targeting diseases not accessible through other approaches with a medicine that can be conveniently re-dosed and manufactured. AIRNA’s founders, Thorsten Stafforst (University of Tübingen) and Jin Billy Li (Stanford University), were the first to elucidate a therapeutic approach for precise editing of RNA. AIRNA has advanced this groundbreaking research to establish the RESTORE+™ RNA editing platform to restore patients’ health.
AIRNA is advancing its first therapeutic program, a best-in-class product candidate to treat the inherited genetic disease alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), as well as a pipeline of therapeutic candidates to address multiple diseases with high unmet need. Initial financing of the company was led by ARCH Venture Partners, with participation from ND Capital, Fast Track Initiative (FTI), Novalis, and Codon Capital. AIRNA has headquarters in Cambridge, MA, with research operations in Tübingen, Germany. Further information can be found at www.airna.com.
About Fast Track Initiative:
Established in 2004, Fast Track Initiative, Inc. (FTI) is a life science venture capital firm focusing its investments on early-stage startups with a strong focus on biotech and therapeutics. FTI has a strict mission to make a ground-breaking impact on the quality of our life and human wellness through investments across a broad range of areas in the life science community including therapeutics, diagnostics, digital health, healthcare services, and more. The company provides valuable, hands-on support to its 30+ portfolio companies through business and R&D strategy, partnering, investor syndication, and more, including access to its network of professionals in Japan. Visit https://us.fasttrackinitiative.com for more details, or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fast-track-initiative/
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