Atsena Therapeutics Secures $150 Million to Advance Investigational Ocular Gene Therapy

Atsena Therapeutics has closed an oversubscribed $150 million Series C financing, which will be used to advance Atsena’s lead gene therapy program, ATSN-201, aimed at treating X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS). Additionally, the funds will support Atsena’s preclinical pipeline of therapies and the further development of its proprietary spreading AAV.SPR capsid technology.

“Closing our Series C marks a pivotal moment for Atsena as we advance our transformative ocular gene therapies and fuel our next phase of growth, innovation, and clinical progress,” Patrick Ritschel, Chief Executive Officer of Atsena Therapeutics, said in a company news release. “It follows a productive 12 months of key achievements including securing a partner to advance ATSN-101 to a global pivotal trial for Leber Congenital Amaurosis type 1 (LCA1) and initiating Part B of the ATSN-201 LIGHTHOUSE study for XLRS. We’re grateful for the support of our investors and partners who share our vision for the future of leveraging genetic medicine to reverse or prevent blindness.”

ATSN-101, developed for LCA1, has received Rare Pediatric Disease designation, Orphan Drug designation, and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation. Updated data from the ongoing LIGHTHOUSE phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating ATSN-201 is expected later this year.

The funding round was led by Bain Capital’s Life Sciences team, with additional participation from new investor Wellington Management. Existing investors, including Lightstone Ventures, Sofinnova Investments, Abingworth, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Hatteras Venture Partners, Osage University Partners, and the Manning Family Foundation, also contributed to the round.