Purespring Secures 5M Funding to Propel Gene Therapy Innovations for Kidney Disease

Purespring Secures 5M Funding to Propel Gene Therapy Innovations for Kidney Disease

Purespring Secures 5M Funding to Propel Gene Therapy Innovations for Kidney Disease

Purespring Therapeutics, a biotech firm, has successfully secured approximately 5 million to advance its gene therapy initiatives aimed at treating kidney-related diseases.

The Series B funding disclosed on Wednesday was spearheaded by Sofinnova Partners and is intended to help Purespring commence a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for its primary candidate targeting IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Investors including Forbion, Glide Healthcare, and initial funder Syncona Limited also engaged in this financial round.

Much like other companies in the gene therapy sector, Purespring employs adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) for delivering its gene therapies within the body. Established by Syncona in 2020, the firm aims to introduce AAV gene therapy to the kidneys, an organ that often presents challenges in targeting therapies.

Purespring’s focus on developing a treatment for IgAN places it amid a competitive landscape as numerous other pharmaceutical companies are also pursuing novel therapies—beyond gene treatments—for this rare kidney condition. Recently, both Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Novartis have made acquisitions in the IgAN drug development sphere.

IgAN occurs when the body creates an excess of antibodies that accumulate in the kidneys, leading to damage and potential subsequent organ failure. While there are existing medications for symptom relief, Purespring seeks to tackle the underlying causes of the disease. Its therapy is designed to target a specific cell known as the podocyte, which is implicated in around 60% of renal diseases.

This year, Purespring showcased preclinical findings related to its AAV gene therapy at the 61st Congress of the European Renal Association. Furthermore, in 2023, a study published in Science Translational Medicine indicated that the company’s gene therapy effectively conducted DNA integration into podocytes in vivo.

Julian Hanak, CEO of Purespring, expressed, “Our innovative treatment platform and extensive knowledge of kidney ailments position us to halt, reverse, and potentially cure kidney diseases.” He added that the funds acquired will allow the company to advance its innovative treatments into clinical settings.

This month, the firm plans to reveal its IgAN data for the first time at the American Society of Nephrology’s annual Kidney Week conference.