Milan-based Aptadir Therapeutics has raised EUR 40 million (USD 45 million) in a seed financing round led by 4BIO Capital to push forward its pipeline of disease-modifying RNA therapeutics, including lead candidate CAP1-FMR1 for Fragile X syndrome.
Aptadir’s gene-reactivating RNA platform
Aptadir, a preclinical biotech, is developing DNMT-interacting RNAs (DiRs), a proprietary class of RNA molecules designed to inhibit DNMT1-mediated methylation at specific gene loci. The approach is intended to reactivate genes silenced by abnormal DNA methylation, and the company reports proof-of-concept activity in patient-derived disease models.
Funding and investors
The EUR 40 million round was led by 4BIO Capital and included follow-on participation from original pre-seed investor EXTEND. Other participants were CDP Venture Capital, Xgen Ventures, Indaco Bio, CE-Ventures, Angelini Ventures, Kerna Ventures, Italian Angels for Biotech and members of Club degli Investitori through Simon Fiduciaria S.p.A. EXTEND is described as Italy’s National Technology Transfer Hub, launched by CDP Venture Capital and jointly funded by Angelini Ventures and Evotec SE.
Aptadir says the financing will support advancement of its DiR platform and its lead program, CAP1-FMR1, which is being developed for Fragile X syndrome. Fragile X is typically caused by expansion of a CGG repeat in the FMR1 gene that triggers DNA hypermethylation and gene silencing, resulting in loss or substantial reduction of FMRP, a protein important for normal neuronal development and function.
