Epigenic Therapeutics

About Epigenic Therapeutics

Epigenic Therapeutics, founded in 2021 by a group of scientists and led by co-founder and CEO Bob Zhang, is a biotechnology firm operating out of Shanghai, China, focused on developing next-generation gene modulation therapies. The company directs its efforts towards treating a variety of prevalent and chronic diseases by utilizing epigenome regulation.

The company's core technology is a proprietary platform named EPIREG®. This platform uses artificial intelligence algorithms to optimize a CRISPR-Cas component for regulating target genes without altering the underlying DNA sequence. This approach to epigenetic editing is designed to modulate gene expression, achieving potent and durable silencing of specific genes. A key feature of the EPIREG® platform is its ability to potentially avoid risks associated with traditional gene-editing tools that rely on DNA cleavage, such as off-target effects and short half-life. The company combines this with a proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) system for delivering treatments to target cells and tissues. This delivery system has shown precision and efficiency in various disease models, including metabolic, cardiovascular, viral hepatitis, ocular, and rare diseases.

Epigenic Therapeutics has established a pipeline of product candidates targeting several health areas like cardiovascular, metabolic, and ocular diseases, as well as viral hepatitis. The company's business model is centered on the research and development of these therapies, with a goal of bringing them through preclinical and clinical validation. To finance these operations, the company has successfully secured significant funding. In August 2022, it raised $20 million in a Series Angel and Pre-A round. This was followed by a $32 million Series A round in August 2023, co-led by Qiming Venture Partners and OrbiMed, with participation from existing investor Morningside Venture Capital. These funds are allocated to advance preclinical development, support early clinical validation for two leading programs, and expand the company's research and leadership teams. In December 2024, Epigenic Therapeutics joined Bayer's Co.Lab in China, gaining access to Bayer's global network and expertise to accelerate its innovation in epigenetic modulation technology.