New company, Arnatar Therapeutics, debuts with a $52 million investment to advance research in the field of RNA treatments.
San Diego-based biotechnology company Arnatar Therapeutics has announced a successful $52 million Series A funding round, led by Eight Roads and 3E Bioventures in 2024. This significant investment will support the company's mission to develop RNA-based therapies and bring innovative solutions to unmet medical needs in cardiometabolic, liver, CNS, and kidney diseases.
Arnatar Therapeutics' flagship product, ART4, is a unique therapeutic candidate that uses an RNA platform to upregulate a protein crucial for bile duct development. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug, Rare Pediatric Disease, and rare pediatric disease designations to ART4, highlighting its potential to address a significant unmet need in the medical field.
ART4 is specifically designed to target Alagille Syndrome, a rare and often devastating genetic disorder that affects various body systems, including the liver, heart, and eyes. The FDA's designations underscore the potential of ART4 to alter the fate of this disease, which currently has no curative treatment options.
In a statement, Xuehai Liang, the CEO of Arnatar Therapeutics, emphasised the importance of these designations, stating that ART4 has the potential to address a significant unmet need and potentially transform the lives of patients with Alagille Syndrome. Liang is committed to advancing ART4 into the clinic as quickly as possible, with the ultimate goal of bringing this potentially transformative therapy to patients in need.
The company's founder and CEO, Christopher A. Mattson, is leading the charge in this mission. Mattson brings a wealth of experience in the biotechnology industry, with a focus on RNA-based therapies, making him an ideal leader for Arnatar Therapeutics.
With the funding secured and the FDA's support in place, Arnatar Therapeutics is poised to make a significant impact in the field of rare diseases. The company's dedication to innovation and its focus on addressing unmet medical needs make it a promising player in the biotechnology industry.
