Genespire is a Milan, Italy–based biotechnology company founded in March 2020 by Prof. Luigi Naldini and Dr. Alessio Cantore and led by CEO Karen Aiach-Pignet. The company develops gene therapies for pediatric patients affected by genetic diseases using immune shielded lentiviral vectors (ISLVs). ISLVs are designed for intravenous administration and to allow life-long production of therapy directly from the patient’s liver. Genespire is initially advancing therapeutic programs in inherited metabolic diseases with high unmet medical need. The company raised €46.6M in a Series B and intends to use the funds to advance its lead candidate GENE202 and to support discovery and preclinical work on additional pipeline candidates. In connection with the financing, board representation from investors will be added to support the company’s development plans. Genespire develops gene therapies using platform technologies originating from the San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget). The company is advancing programs targeting primary immunodeficiencies and inherited metabolic diseases. Funds from the recent financing will be used to push its platform technologies toward clinical development. Genespire was founded in March 2020 as a spin-off of SR-Tiget and was co-founded by Fondazione Telethon, Ospedale San Raffaele, Prof. Luigi Naldini and Dr. Alessio Cantore. The company is based in Milan, Italy, and is backed by Sofinnova Partners. Leadership was strengthened with the appointment of Julia Berretta, Ph.D., as CEO and member of the board.

Total raised

$69M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Sep 2024