Metagenomi Raises $65 million to Advance Next-Gen Gene Editing

Rare Daily Staff

Metagenomi, a next generation gene editing company launched by UC Berkeley scientists in 2018, said it completed a $65 million series A financing round and emerged from stealth mode.

Leaps by Bayer and Humboldt Fund led the round. Other investors included Sozo Ventures, Agent Capital, InCube Ventures, and HOF Capital.

Capital raised during this round will enable Metagenomi to accelerate the expansion of its gene editing systems for potential therapeutic use. In addition, Metagenomi will advance research and preclinical validation for its own pipeline.

CRISPR-based gene editing is one of the most important discoveries in recent years, and a critical technology for next generation therapeutic development. With the ability to edit DNA, scientists can address a whole range of diseases, but there are still hurdles to overcome such as delivery, immunogenicity, selectivity, and genomic accessibility with current technologies.

To enable efficient technological solutions, Metagenomi is building a proprietary suite of CRISPR-based gene editing systems by applying computational algorithms to screen thousands of genomes from microorganisms around the world. The approach leverages big data and the science of metagenomics to quickly identify novel gene editing systems with properties that leapfrog first generation technologies. These include the capability to precisely edit genomes via single base changes, knockouts, or integrations, with lower potential for off-target effects.

“Metagenomi is accelerating innovation in gene editing technology to help patients with genetic diseases that are incurable today,” said Brian Thomas, CEO and co-founder of Metagenomi. “This means developing a vast database of gene editing capabilities to enable unprecedented therapeutic approaches.”

Photo: Brian Thomas, CEO and co-founder of Metagenomi