Biotech Startup Moonwalk Biosciences Raises $57M to Revolutionize Epigenetic Therapeutics
Moonwalk Biosciences, a newly launched biotech startup, has successfully secured $57 million in seed and series A financing. The funding, led by Alpha Wave Ventures, will be instrumental in advancing the company’s groundbreaking epigenetic profiling and engineering technology platform, as well as its innovative therapeutics for various conditions. Notable participants in the financing round include ARCH Venture Partners, Future Ventures, GV, Khosla Ventures, and YK Bioventures.
Co-founded by renowned scientists Feng Zhang, Arash Jamshidi, Justin Valley, and Dr. Alex Aravanis, Moonwalk Biosciences sets out to develop effective, safe, and durable epigenetic medicines. The company aims to leverage the most comprehensive insights on cellular epigenetics to date across a variety of indications, offering a new frontier in the pursuit of potential cures for previously thought impossible diseases.
Moonwalk’s mission is rooted in the understanding that epigenetics acts as the software of the genome. Unlike changes to the genome that are irreversible, edits to the epigenome can be reprogrammed in different ways. Epigenetic alterations determine whether genes are turned on or off and have the potential to reverse diseases. This discovery broadens the therapeutic landscape, opening up possibilities for finding potential cures that were once deemed unattainable.
Unlike existing methods of gene editing that involve altering DNA sequences, Moonwalk’s technology focuses on making edits in the epigenome without affecting the primary DNA sequence itself. By utilizing artificial intelligence to predict targets, Moonwalk’s pioneering epigenomic approach aims to minimize the risks inherent in gene editing while preserving the integrity of the DNA sequence.
Traditional gene editing techniques often lead to unpredictable repair processes and off-target effects due to the cutting or breaking of DNA. Moonwalk’s breakthrough approach offers a more precise and controlled method, revolutionizing the field of epigenetic therapeutics.
Moonwalk Biosciences is helmed by Dr. Alex Aravanis, a respected industry veteran who brings a wealth of experience to the table. As the former chief technology officer of Illumina and Grail, Dr. Aravanis is well poised to guide Moonwalk Biosciences through its ambitious mission of transforming the world of epigenetic medicine.
With its exciting technology and forward-thinking approach, Moonwalk Biosciences is poised to make significant strides in the field of epigenetic therapeutics. The company’s ability to make edits in the epigenome while leaving the primary DNA sequence intact has immense potential for the development of highly targeted and effective treatments for a range of conditions.
In conclusion, Moonwalk Biosciences has successfully secured $57 million in funding to drive its pioneering epigenetic profiling and engineering technology platform. This biotech startup, led by a team of esteemed scientists and under the leadership of Dr. Alex Aravanis, is set to revolutionize the field of epigenetic therapeutics. By harnessing the power of epigenetics, Moonwalk Biosciences aims to develop innovative and durable treatments that have the potential to reverse disease and transform the lives of patients worldwide.
