Arch-backed HC Bioscience closes doors after seeing early data for tRNA asset

HC Bioscience Closure

HC Bioscience, a Boston-based biotech company focused on developing tRNA-based therapeutics, has shut down operations after seeing early data for its lead hemophilia A program1.

### Key Details:

The company closed "following careful consideration of potential paths forward and strategic factors," according to CEO Leslie Williams1.
HC Bioscience had completed key animal studies for its hemophilia A program using tRNA-based technology1.
After assessing the data, the company decided to discontinue development of the program due to "challenges in targeted delivery and other factors"1.
The closure comes despite raising $24 million in Series A funding in 2022, backed by investors including Takeda Ventures, Arch Venture Partners and 8VC1.

### Background:

HC Bioscience was developing tRNA-based therapeutics to treat genetic diseases by restoring protein function without editing genes1.
The company's lead program targeted severe hemophilia A, with other early-stage candidates for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and cancer1 4.
HC Bioscience had presented promising preclinical data for its hemophilia A program as recently as May 20243 11.

### Impact:

The number of employees affected by the shutdown was not disclosed1.
HC Bioscience's closure follows several other recent biotech company shutdowns in 20251.

This abrupt closure highlights the challenges in developing novel therapeutic approaches, even for well-funded biotech startups backed by prominent investors. The company's difficulties with targeted delivery of its tRNA-based therapy ultimately led to the discontinuation of its lead program and subsequent shutdown.