Judo Bio Launches with $100 Million to Develop Oligonucleotide Therapies that Target the Kidney

Rare Daily Staff

Judo Bio, which is developing oligonucleotide medicines delivered to the kidney, said it raised $100 million in a seed round and series A financing as it announced its launch.

Judo Bio has discovered a novel approach to create oligonucleotide medicines targeted to the kidney, an organ that has been challenging to access for genetic medicines. The company has completed preclinical studies successfully demonstrating receptor-mediated delivery of oligonucleotides to the kidney with proprietary ligand-siRNA conjugates that silence multiple target genes.

Atlas Venture founded and incubated Judo Bio with The Column Group joining the seed financing. Atlas co-led the series A round with TCG and Droia Ventures. Digitalis Ventures, Euclidean Capital, Alexandria Venture Investments, YK Bioventures, and other undisclosed funds also participated in the series A round.

The proceeds from the financing will be used to advance the lead ligand-siRNA conjugate to the clinic and to further build the company’s proprietary STRIKE (Selectively Targeting RNA Into KidnEy) platform.

Judo Bio’s initial pipeline programs are megalin-STRIKERs that use the megalin receptor family to selectively deliver siRNA therapeutics to the proximal tubule epithelial cells of the kidney. These megalin-STRIKERs are designed to silence mRNA, resulting in reduction of specific solute carrier proteins (SLCs). SLCs contribute to the homeostasis of circulating substances, including amino acids, electrolytes, glucose, and other metabolites. Targeting SLCs is an established approach for the treatment of various systemic diseases.

With the financing, the company named industry veteran Rajiv Patni, as the company’s CEO and board member. Patni previously serviced as chief R&D Officer at Reata Pharmaceuticals until its acquisition by Biogen in 2023. Previously, he served as Chief Medical Officer at several successful public small-cap biotech companies, including Global Blood Therapeutics and Portola Pharmaceuticals

“In a short period, the company has developed a novel platform, demonstrated potent and selective gene knockdown in specific kidney regions, and constructed a pipeline of compelling programs that we are excited to see advanced towards the clinic,” said Kevin Bitterman, partner at Atlas Venture.