Tune Therapeutics
Overview
Tune Therapeutics is a biotechnology company specializing in leveraging epigenome editing to create novel therapeutic solutions. Established in 2021 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, and Seattle, Washington, the company was co-founded by Matt Kane, Akira Matsuno, and Charles Gersbach. Tune Therapeutics has raised significant funding, including a recent $175 million Series B round, to propel its pioneering epigenome editing programs.
Recent Developments
- January 12, 2025: Tune Therapeutics completed a $175 million Series B financing round led by New Enterprise Associates, Yosemite, Regeneron Ventures, and Hevolution Foundation. This funding will accelerate their existing pipeline, particularly their clinical-stage epigenetic silencing drug for chronic Hepatitis B (HBV).
- January 7, 2025: The company received approval to initiate a clinical trial in Hong Kong for its Hepatitis B therapeutic candidate, Tune-401.
- November 2024: Announced FDA approval for clinical trial commencement in New Zealand, bolstering their international clinical presence.
- 2023: At the ASGCT conference, Tune presented groundbreaking data showing durable repression of the PCSK9 gene in non-human primates, showcasing the efficacy of its epigenome editing technology.
- 2023 and Prior: Developed and demonstrated durable gene tuning effects in model organisms, signifying a major step towards therapeutic applications in humans.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2021 |
| Headquarters | Durham, NC and Seattle, WA, USA |
| Founders | Matt Kane, Akira Matsuno, Charles Gersbach |
| Revenue | Not publicly disclosed |
| Profits | Not publicly disclosed |
| Key Investors | New Enterprise Associates, Yosemite, Hatteras Venture Partners |
| Industry | Biotechnology, Gene Editing |
| Number of Employees | Approximately 95 |
Early History
Tune Therapeutics was founded with the ambition to transform therapeutic approaches using epigenome editing. The company emerged from research conducted by co-founder Charles Gersbach at Duke University, focusing on the regulatory role of the epigenome in gene expression. Initially, the company acquired $40 million in a Series A funding round to build the foundational aspects of its innovative platform, TEMPO, which aims to fine-tune gene expression without altering the DNA sequence permanently.
Company Profile and Achievements
Tune Therapeutics operates at the nexus of biotechnology and genetic medicine, pioneering the field of epigenetic editing. The company's platform, TEMPO, is designed to modulate gene expression levels up or down, offering a nuanced approach compared to traditional gene editing techniques. The TEMPO platform has shown promising preclinical results in regulating genes associated with chronic conditions, such as those involved in cholesterol metabolism.
- Key Achievements: Evolution of the TEMPO platform providing breakthroughs in therapeutic epigenetics.
- Investor Confidence: Raised over $175 million in a recent Series B round, reflecting strong market and investor faith in their approach.
- Research and Development: Successfully presented data demonstrating long-term gene suppression in non-human primates, showcasing the therapeutic potential of their technology.
Current Operations and Market Position
Tune Therapeutics is advancing a robust pipeline focused on chronic and common conditions, bolstered by its strategic focus on diseases with significant unmet needs like chronic Hepatitis B. The company is currently initiating clinical trials for its lead candidate, Tune-401, in multiple international locations, highlighting its expanding global clinical footprint. Tune's ability to manipulate the epigenome positions it uniquely in the market, offering a potentially safer and more versatile alternative to CRISPR and other gene-editing technologies.
Conclusion
Tune Therapeutics stands at the forefront of genetic medicine through its innovative use of epigenome editing. By focusing on tuning rather than altering genetic expressions, Tune offers promising therapeutic avenues for a variety of diseases. With strong financial backing and a strategic focus on scalable and effective solutions, Tune Therapeutics is poised to influence the future trajectory of genetic therapies significantly.