Purespring Receives Funding to Pursue Gene Therapy for IgAN

Biotechnology company Purespring Therapeutics received approximately $105 million in Series B funding to support the development of gene therapies for diseases of the kidney, including a phase 1/2 trial of an experimental treatment for immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). The funding came from Forbion, Glide Healthcare, and founding investor Syncona Limited.

Purespring utilizes adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to transport its gene therapies into the body. The company was established in 2020 to apply AAV gene therapy to the kidney, which can be challenging to target. Other drugmakers, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Novartis, are also working on IgAN candidates, although none involve gene therapy.

“Our novel treatment platform and deep understanding of kidney disease puts us in a position to stop, reverse, and even cure kidney disease,” said Purespring’s chief executive officer Julian Hanak in a statement. “The funds raised will allow us to bring our novel treatments to patients in the clinic.”

Purespring presented preclinical data for its AAV gene therapy at the 61st European Renal Association Congress earlier this year and will present IgAN data at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week meeting in late October.