Biotech Startup Airna Secures $60M to Advance RNA-Editing Therapy for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Funding::
Airna has raised an additional $60 million in its Series A round, bringing the total to $90 million, to advance its RNA-editing therapy for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD).

Disease Target::
AATD is a rare inherited disorder affecting approximately 100,000 people in the U.S., leading to liver and lung damage due to low levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin protein.

Therapeutic Approach::
Airna's therapy involves editing RNA using adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) enzymes, which is considered a safer alternative to direct DNA editing techniques like CRISPR.

Founders::
The company was co-founded by Thorsten Stafforst, a professor at the University of Tübingen, and Jin Billy Li, a professor at Stanford University.

Clinical Plans::
The new funding will support the advancement of Airna's AATD drug candidate into clinical trials as early as next year.

Competitive Landscape::
Airna faces competition from other biotech companies like Wave Life Sciences and Korro Bio, which are also developing RNA-editing therapies for AATD.

Future Pipeline::
Airna plans to expand its technology platform and drug pipeline to address other diseases such as cardiovascular, metabolic, and blood disorders.