Setara Biosciences
Genetics-driven precision medicines for rare diseases.
The founders
DB
The company
Setara Biosciences develops oral small-molecule therapies that correct the overactivity of disease-causing proteins in rare genetic conditions. Its lead program, STAR-0871, is a potential first-in-class TRPV4 inhibitor targeting Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2C, a neuromuscular disorder affecting roughly 2,500 people in the US.
STAR-0871 has already cleared the healthy-volunteer portion of its Phase 1 trial and carries FDA Rare Pediatric Disease, Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations, with a Phase 1b planned for 2027. A fresh $90M Series A gives the company runway to push the programme through clinical milestones.
Setara spun out of Actio Biosciences following its acquisition by Jazz Pharmaceuticals, launching in October 2026 to advance Actio's remaining pipeline. It was co-founded by Dr David Goldstein, who also founded Actio and previously served as founding director of Columbia University's Institute for Genomic Medicine.
The leadership reunites Actio alumni, including co-founder and CSO Dr David Breckenridge, around deep expertise in Mendelian genetics and data science. That pedigree in rare-disease target discovery underpins the company's bet on a known drug candidate rather than a blank slate.
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