Based in Japan and India. Has led to 1 successful fundraise in Japan. Been working the space of Venture Capital and Private Equity for the last 3 years.

Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC), a privately owned, clinically advanced biotechnology company developing gene therapy products for the treatment of rare retinal diseases, today announced that it has secured $37. $5 million in the Series B funding round

Alta Partners & S R: R One, Limited led the financing, with new investors Osage University Partners joining existing investors InterWest, Intersouth Partners and MedImmune Ventures in the round. The funding will allow AGTC to continue developing its Phase 2 program for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) and to initiate the full development of potential treatments for two orphan ophthalmology indications, Achromatopsia (ACHM) and X-Linked Rentinoschisis (XLRS)

“We strongly believe in the business model of developing treatments for genetic disorders,” said Ed Hurwitz, General Partner of Alta Partners. “Based on encouraging clinical outcomes from AGTC and others, we concluded that a wide range of genetically defined diseases could be cured using AGTC proprietary vectors and manufacturing technologies. Series B funding is designed to move a number of AGTC programs through proof of concept, as well as to enable the company to leverage its manufacturing and development infrastructure with partners to accelerate a broad portfolio of curative products. “That’s right.

ACHM is an inherited genetic condition that occurs at birth with impaired visual acuity. Most patients are legally blind, lack color discrimination and experience extreme light sensitivity, resulting in daytime blindness. ACHM is caused by mutations in a group of genes that make cone cells concentrated in the central retina non-functional. Achromatopsia is not treated, although deep red tinted spectacles or contact lenses may reduce symptoms of light sensitivity. Approximately 22,000 patients in the United States and Europe suffer from this disease.

The potential treatment of AGTC uses adeno-associated virus (AAV), a safe, man-made virus that delivers healthy copies of the ACHM gene to retinal cells, replacing defective copies of the gene. It is expected that a single treatment will stop the disease for several years, perhaps a lifetime. The AAV delivery system is successfully used in clinical trials of Leber congenital amaurosis gene therapy that has restored vision to more than 50 adults and children who were virtually blind. Previous research has shown promising signs of efficacy in ACHM dog models.

XLRS, an inherited genetic condition, is the leading cause of macular juvenile degeneration in males. It is caused by mutations in the RS1 gene resulting in the division of the central retina layers. Patients typically begin to experience progressive vision loss between 5 and 10 years of age. Other early symptoms include inability to focus on both eyes and roving, involuntary eye movements. There is currently no treatment for XLRS Approximately 35.000 patients in the United States and Europe suffer from this disease. Previous research has shown promising signs of efficacy in XLRS rodent models.

Towards the AGTC

AGTC focuses on research and development of novel therapeutics for patients with unmet medical needs using the proprietary, non-pathogenic adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery system of AGTC. AGTC has shown that this system can be used to deliver a normal gene form in both animals and humans, allowing their own body to produce sustained therapeutic levels of important biologics. The company’s most advanced development programs are Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) therapy, a disease that causes progressive loss of lung function, and Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis, a hereditary condition that causes early blindness. Both use AGTC’s proprietary AAV system and production methods.

About Alta Partner

Alta Partners is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on investing in life sciences Founded in 1996, the firm manages $2 billion of committed capital through eight venture fund programs. Alta invests in life sciences companies across the development continuum, from company formation to later-stage opportunities, and has financed more than 145 companies in the sector to date.

About S Is R: R One of them, limited

Oh, S R: R One is GlaxoSmithKline’s independent corporate venture capital arm. The firm is investing globally in emerging life science companies that are pursuing innovative science that will have a significant impact on medical care. S since 1985 R: R One company has invested in more than 150 companies, and its current portfolio includes approximately 30 private and public companies.

About Osage University Partner

Osage University Partners is a venture capital fund that invests exclusively in spin-offs derived from a network of 46 affiliated research institutions. OUP partners with high-quality universities to serve as their co-investment vehicle for start-ups that license their technology OUP invests in all sectors of university marketing, including life sciences, physical sciences and information technology. Osage invests widely across the stage, from seed to late stage, in start-up venture capital rounds alongside new lead investors.

Please note that this piece of work originally appeared in English at https://www.vcnewsdaily.com/Applied%20Genetic%20Technologies%20%28AGTC%29/venture-funding.php. As Investocracy aims to bring global startup news and updates in both English and Japanese to you, it’s important that we attribute original source to you. If you have any questions/concerns please write to us at contact@investocracy.co

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