Arbor Biotechnologies has secured $215 million in Series B financing, more than doubling its total capitalization as it advances its AI-powered gene editing platform and therapeutic pipeline. The funding round was co-led by Temasek, Ally Bridge Group, and TCG Crossover, with participation from numerous prominent healthcare and technology investors.
The Cambridge-based biotechnology company, co-founded by CRISPR pioneer Feng Zhang, Ph.D., plans to use the proceeds to advance its lead programs in liver and central nervous system diseases into clinical phases. The funding will also support further development of its proprietary gene-editing technology platform.
Advanced Gene Editing Platform
At the core of Arbor's technology is a sophisticated discovery engine that combines artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze a database containing billions of proteins. This approach has enabled the company to build what it claims is the industry's most extensive collection of proprietary CRISPR genomic editors.
"Our breadth of tools and intellectual property enables us, and our partners, to approach numerous diseases with gene editing solutions that can be tailored to edit or rewrite the genetic errors that result in disease pathology," explained Devyn Smith, Ph.D., CEO of Arbor Biotechnologies. "This provides us with the ability to target the root cause of genetic diseases."
Scientific Innovation and Expansion
The company's scientific achievements include the 2018 discovery of CRISPR-Cas13d, a significantly smaller enzyme within the CRISPR-Cas13 family. This breakthrough, published in Molecular Cell, opened new possibilities for RNA manipulation and diagnostic applications.
Arbor is now expanding its focus beyond CRISPR nucleases to explore other precision editing innovations, including CRISPR transposases. This strategic expansion demonstrates the company's commitment to developing a comprehensive gene editing toolkit.
Strategic Partnerships and Industry Support
The financing round attracted an impressive roster of investors, including ARCH Venture Partners and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Notably, Arbor's collaboration with Vertex, announced in August, could be worth up to $1.2 billion. The partnership focuses on developing ex vivo engineered cell therapies for conditions including type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and beta thalassemia.
As part of the financing, Chen Yu, M.D., MBA, Managing Partner at TCG Crossover, will join Arbor's board of directors, bringing additional expertise to guide the company's strategic direction.
Platform Applications and Future Direction
The company's gene editing platform combines diverse technologies including genome sequencing, gene synthesis, and high-throughput screening. This integrated approach allows Arbor to identify and develop impactful peptides, proteins, and enzymes for therapeutic applications.
Since its founding in 2016 and emergence from stealth mode with a $15.6 million Series A round in 2017, Arbor has maintained steady progress in expanding its technological capabilities and therapeutic potential. The substantial Series B funding positions the company to accelerate its development programs and strengthen its position in the competitive gene editing landscape.
