Massachusetts-based Homology Medicines has raised $144m in an initial public offering to help fund its first clinical trials. The company claims to have a superior version of existing gene-editing methods, including CRISPR-Cas9, by making use of a natural biological process called homologous recombination by which body cells repair DNA damage. In the case of gene editing, however, this is not always possible. The company's first clinical trials will target the genetic disorder phenylketonuria, initially in adults and then later this year in children.
Massachusetts-based Homology Medicines has raised $144m in an initial public offering to help fund its first clinical trials. The company claims to have a superior version of existing gene-editing methods, including CRISPR-Cas9, by making use of a natural biological process called homologous recombination by which body cells repair DNA damage. Homology is also developing gene therapies that use adeno-associated viruses (gene therapy delivery tools) developed in-house. The company's first clinical trials will target the genetic disorder phenylketonuria, initially in adults and then later this year in children.