Atsena Therapeutics Raises $24.5M to Develop Gene Therapies for Inherited Blindness

Durham-based Atsena Therapeutics has secured $24.5 million in private investment to advance its gene therapy treatments for inherited blindness. The company aims to raise an additional $7.5 million.

Why It Matters:

Atsena Therapeutics is developing gene therapies to prevent or reverse certain types of inherited blindness. With the new funding, the company can further advance its clinical-stage gene therapies that target various forms of retinal diseases. This development brings hope to patients with these conditions, as there are currently no approved treatments available.

The Details:

• Atsena Therapeutics has raised $24.5 million in private investment, with an additional $7.5 million to be raised.

• The funding was provided by 10 investors, including founding investor Hatteras Venture Partners.

• Atsena is a clinical-stage company focused on gene therapies for three genetically inherited forms of retinal disease.

• The company's gene therapies use adeno-associated virus technologies to introduce corrective genes into retinal cells with genetic mutations responsible for vision loss.

• Atsena has dosed the first patient in its Phase I/II clinical trial for ATSN-201, a sub-retinal injection for X-linked retinoschisis, which currently has no approved treatments.

• Another gene therapy, ATSN-101, is in clinical development for Leber congenital amaurosis 1, a condition causing severe vision impairment or blindness.

• ATSN-301, a potential therapy to prevent blindness from MYO7A-associated Usher syndrome, is in pre-clinical development.

• Atsena was founded in 2019 by ocular gene therapy pioneers Shannon Boye, Ph.D., and Sanford Boye.

• The company recently moved into a 20,000 square feet space in Durham's Alexandria Center for Advanced Technologies to access top talent and gene therapy expertise.

Conclusion:

Atsena Therapeutics' recent funding will enable the company to advance its gene therapies for inherited blindness, providing hope for patients with retinal diseases that currently have no approved treatments.