Excision Medical
Overview
Excision BioTherapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company specializing in the development of CRISPR-based gene-editing technologies aimed at curing serious latent viral infectious diseases. Founded in 2015, the company is based in San Francisco, California. Key figures behind Excision include renowned scientists such as Dr. Kamel Khalili, and Dr. Jennifer Doudna, co-inventor of CRISPR. The company is notable for pioneering treatments for diseases like herpes simplex virus-1, hepatitis B, and HIV. Excision has raised significant funds from various investors to support its innovative therapeutic pipeline.
Recent Developments
- September 2024: Excision presented new developments in their Hepatitis B virus (HBV) program at the 2024 International HBV Meeting. The company's novel CRISPR-based therapy, EBT-107, aims to excise large sections of viral DNA to remove HBV’s persistent infection capabilities. Source.
- August 2024: Excision was awarded the title of a "Fierce 15" company by Fierce Biotech. This accolade highlights the company’s innovative approach in using CRISPR to potentially cure diseases like herpes simplex virus-related keratitis. Source.
- April 2024: During the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy meeting, Excision presented new data on their preclinical programs targeting herpes simplex virus-1 and hepatitis B, and introduced a next-generation AAV vector for improved gene editing efficacy. Source.
- More findings for HIV treatment: Excision’s multiplexed gene editing approaches continue to show promise, especially in treating HIV, building on safety and tolerability data from ongoing clinical trials. Source.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2015 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California |
| Founders | Dr. Kamel Khalili, Dr. Jennifer Doudna |
| Revenue | Not publicly disclosed |
| Profits | Not publicly disclosed |
| Key Investors | Various biotech investors |
| Industry | Biotechnology |
| Number of Employees | Information not available |
Early History
Founded in 2015, Excision BioTherapeutics emerged from the groundbreaking CRISPR research conducted by Dr. Kamel Khalili at Temple University and Dr. Jennifer Doudna at UC Berkeley. The company initially focused on developing a novel gene-editing approach that could effectively address latent viral infections, opening up potential curative avenues for diseases that have long been considered challenging to cure. Their work began with targeting the HIV virus, leveraging CRISPR’s ability to excise viral DNA, which garnered considerable attention and laid the foundation for further applications in treating other viruses like Hepatitis B and HSV-1.
Company Profile and Achievements
Excision BioTherapeutics operates with a compelling business model focused on CRISPR-based gene-editing technologies.
- 2015: Excision was founded and began its research into using CRISPR for viral disease treatment.
- 2019: First noteworthy achievement as researchers demonstrated successful elimination of HIV from living animals, a significant milestone publicized in Nature Medicine and TIME.
- 2023: The company advanced its first CRISPR-based therapy EBT-101 for HIV into early-phase human trials, showing promising results in safety and tolerance.
- Beyond HIV, Excision expanded its R&D to include therapies for Hepatitis B virus and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), with their product pipeline progressively maturing towards commercial viability.
Current Operations and Market Position
Excision BioTherapeutics focuses on utilizing its proprietary CRISPR technology to address some of the world’s most persistent viral infections. The company stands out in its market due to its multiplex gene-editing capabilities, which allow inactivation of viral DNA, providing a potential one-time treatment for diseases that otherwise require lifelong management. Their broader strategy involves consolidating partnerships with academic institutions and industrial leaders. Excision’s market positioning benefits from the robust validity of CRISPR and the company’s focus on high-impact therapeutic areas.
Conclusion
Excision BioTherapeutics represents a frontier in the application of biotechnology for curing viral infectious diseases. With its strong foundation in CRISPR technology and a pipeline that targets significant therapeutic areas, the company has positioned itself as a promising player in the biotech sector with significant potential for future growth. As of December 2024, Excision continues to lead with innovative treatments, potentially paving the way for a new era in viral disease management and therapy.