Entrada Therapeutics Secures $59 Million Series A Financing to Advance Novel Intracellular Biologics Targeting Previously Undruggable Pathways

Recently, VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that biotechnology company Entrada Therapeutics has recently completed its Series A financing round, raising $59 million. The round was co-led by 5AM Ventures and MPM Capital, with participation from Roche Venture Fund, MRL Ventures Fund, and Agent Capital.

Entrada Therapeutics, founded in 2016, is composed of experts and leaders in the fields of biologic development and rare diseases. The team is focused on advancing its proprietary intracellular biologic platform to provide treatments for patients suffering from devastating diseases. Entrada Therapeutics is developing intracellular enzyme replacement therapy (IC-ERT) for the treatment of rare and fatal monogenic disorders characterized by a deficiency in a critical intracellular enzyme. Additionally, Entrada Therapeutics is developing delivery platforms for intracellular protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors and nucleic acids.

Entrada Therapeutics’ intracellular biologic delivery platform enables the efficient delivery of molecules such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids into cells. Compared with previous standards, Entrada Therapeutics’ delivery vehicles offer superior bioavailability, biodistribution, metabolic stability, and higher efficiency.

Biologics generally cannot enter cells. Many molecules, such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids, exhibit highly potent and specific biological activity in vitro. These molecules are typically hydrophilic and large in size, preventing them from penetrating the cell membrane; therefore, they are not effective therapeutic agents for targeting intracellular targets.

By leveraging biocompatibility, Entrada Therapeutics’ technology enables the intracellular delivery of cell-impermeable agents. Entrada biologics consist of proprietary peptides conjugated to the therapeutic payload; these peptides facilitate rapid cellular uptake via endocytosis.

Upon cellular entry, Entrada’s biologics initially localize to endosomes and subsequently escape efficiently into the cytosol. Once released into the cytosol, the conjugated payloads (such as proteins, peptides, or nucleic acids) can function normally and address the root causes of disease.

In Entrada’s IC-ERT program, conjugates address hereditary intracellular enzyme deficiencies. In the PPI inhibitor program, conjugates block pathogenic protein–protein interactions.

Todd Foley, Managing Director at MPM Capital, stated, “Although biologics targeting extracellular targets have seen extensive development, the development of novel biologics targeting intracellular targets remains a significant opportunity for companies.”

This round of financing will help advance Entrada’s IC-ERT and PPI programs into their first-in-human clinical trials. In addition, Entrada plans to develop other intracellular enzyme replacement therapies.

5AM Ventures, founded in 2002, is a California-based venture capital firm that provides funding to seed- and early-stage life sciences companies, with a commitment to building the next generation of life sciences companies capable of delivering substantial returns to investors. The firm’s portfolio includes companies in the biopharmaceutical, life sciences, medical technology, and research instrumentation sectors, with investment focus on biopharmaceuticals, drug delivery technologies, and life sciences instruments.

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Massachusetts, USA, MPM Capital is a venture capital firm primarily invested in the healthcare industry, seeking to treat serious diseases by translating scientific innovations into positive clinical outcomes. MPM invests in breakthrough therapies, with a focus on oncology. Leveraging its experienced team of investment professionals, executive partners, entrepreneurs, and members of its Scientific Advisory Board, MPM is driving medical innovations that transform patients’ lives.

Established in 2002, Roche Venture Fund is the venture capital arm of Roche Healthcare. All equity investments made by Roche in biotechnology and diagnostics companies are negotiated and managed by Roche Venture Fund. Over the past two decades, the fund has invested in more than 60 companies worldwide. Currently, its portfolio comprises approximately 30 companies across ten countries in Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. As an evergreen fund with CHF 500 million in capital, it has deployed approximately 40% of its assets to date.

MRL Ventures Fund is an independent venture capital group based in Massachusetts, primarily investing in innovative therapeutic companies that are developing transformative drugs with the potential to improve patients’ lives. The firm has led and participated in 27 financing rounds and is currently actively building a portfolio of early-stage therapeutic companies.

Agent Capital is a venture capital firm focused on biotechnology, primarily investing in novel and differentiated therapies to address unmet medical needs. From the preclinical stage to the commercial stage, Agent Capital makes direct equity investments across all stages of company development.