edi-gene Secures ¥1.6 Billion Series B Funding to Advance Non-Cutting CRISPR-GNDM Gene Regulation Platform

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that on April 10, U.S. biotechnology company edi-gene announced the completion of its Series B financing round, raising JPY 1.6 billion (approximately USD 15 million). The round was led by UTokyo IPC, with participation from SMBC Venture Capital, Mizuho, Fast Track Initiative, and SBI Investment. The proceeds will be used to further develop gene-editing technologies and accelerate their application in clinical trials.

edi-gene is registered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, with its headquarters located in Tokyo, Japan. Leveraging patented technologies licensed from the University of Tokyo in CRISPR and protein engineering platforms, the company develops novel gene therapies for rare diseases.

The CRISPR/Cas system is an immune mechanism in prokaryotes that defends against the invasion of foreign genetic material, such as bacteriophages and exogenous plasmids. It also provides bacteria with adaptive immunity, analogous to secondary immunity in mammals. When bacteria are invaded by viruses or exogenous plasmids, they generate a corresponding “memory” that enables resistance to subsequent viral invasions.

Schematic Diagram of Gene Editing (Source: edi-gene Official Website)

The CRISPR/Cas system can recognize exogenous DNA and cleave it, thereby preventing the expression of foreign genes. Due to this precise targeting capability, the CRISPR/Cas system has been developed into a highly efficient gene-editing tool. The world’s first gene-edited babies, born in 2018, were created using CRISPR/Cas9 for gene editing.

edi-gene’s proprietary CRISPR-GNDM (Guide Nucleotide-Directed Modulation) technology platform enables precise control of gene expression, and thereby protein synthesis, without cleaving DNA or RNA.

“A new method of gene regulation by edi-gene has the potential to prevent and cure various genetic diseases, thereby improving patients’ lives,” said Haru Morita, CEO of edi-gene.

“Since its founding in 2016, EdiGene has made significant progress in developing CRISPR-GNDM as a precision gene therapy. We are grateful for the support of our investors. Their investment philosophy aligns closely with the company’s vision of advancing the healthcare industry through technology,” added Haru Morita.

UTokyo IPC is the venture investment arm of the University of Tokyo. Established in 2016, it has cumulatively invested in more than 20 companies. Over 310 startups are associated with UTokyo IPC, involving a total amount of JPY 1.5 trillion.

SMBC Venture Capital is a Japanese venture capital firm established in 1992. The firm collaborates with SMBC Bank, SMBC Securities, and other affiliates to jointly invest in startups in the healthcare and medical sectors.

Fast Track Initiative focuses on equity investments in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Established in 2004 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, its successful investment portfolio includes Modulus Discovery, a drug discovery company.

Reference link:

http://edi-gene.com/#contents01

http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-3160644-983657.html

https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/japanese-biotech-firm-edigene-raises-14-4m-in-series-b-130260/

(Compiled by Yang Shaobo)