A newly formed gene therapy startup is taking gene delivery technology from ReGenX and a $5 million investment from Fidelity Biosciences to develop new treatments for rare diseases, starting with hemophilia.
ReGenX and Fidelity Biosciences announced the launch of Dimension Therapeutics at the end of last month and disclosed the $5 million Series A fundraise in an SEC filing this week.
Dimension Therapeutics, for the time being led by Dr. Thomas Beck of Fidelity, is developing drugs based on ReGenX’s novel adeno-associated viral vectors, which are designed to enter cells and deliver their DNA genome to the nucleus. Beck said in the company announcement that safely and effectively delivering replacement genes to the correct target cells has been a core challenge for gene therapies in the past.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Currently Dimension is working on IND-enabling studies of a drug candidate for hemophilia B, a hereditary bleeding disorder characterized by a lack of one of the proteins needed to form blood clots in the body. It can cause a person to experience life-threatening bleeding after an injury. Whereas current treatments for severe hemophilia focus on routine factor replacement therapy, Dimension hopes that its technology could correct the faulty gene that causes the disorder in the first place.
Dimension is the latest company to emerge in the revival of gene therapies. Last month, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia spun out Spark Therapeutics to commercialize a gene therapy for inherited blindness. In June, Audentes Therapeutics launched with $30 million in VC funding to advance treatments for rare muscle diseases.
Meanwhile, Baxter is also in early development of a gene therapy for hemophilia B.
[Image credit: BigStock Photos]
