Shape Therapeutics (ShapeTX) develops a suite of RNA technologies and delivery and manufacturing solutions to enable gene therapy. Its platform includes RNAskip, RNAfix and RNAswap payload technologies, the tissue‑specific AAVid delivery technology, and SquareBio manufacturing based on human stable cell lines, all driven by the ShapeTX AI engine. The company reported discovery of next‑generation AAVs that are central nervous system‑ or muscle‑specific in non‑human primates and a scalable cell‑line AAV production approach that outperforms transient methods. ShapeTX announced a $112 million Series B to continue building its portfolio into broad industry verticals and to accelerate development of treatment approaches. The company plans to prioritize key partnership opportunities to shorten development timelines and facilitate industry adoption. Target therapeutic areas mentioned include Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, alpha‑1 antitrypsin deficiency, and Rett syndrome. Shape Therapeutics is a development-stage biotechnology company building RNA and protein targeting platforms aimed at curing genetic and other human diseases. Its proprietary RNAfix™ technology enables direct in vivo RNA targeting and modification by recruiting native ADARs, using suppressor tRNAs, engineered AAVs, and short guide RNAs. The platform is designed to engage natural human cellular machinery to limit immunogenicity and avoid permanent DNA off-target edits associated with some CRISPR approaches. Founders include Prashant Mali, Francois Vigneault, and John Suliman; Francois Vigneault serves as President and CEO. The team has demonstrated in vivo proof-of-concept data in multiple rare disease mouse models, including work in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. ShapeTx is headquartered in Seattle with a satellite site opening in Cambridge and plans to use new capital to expand its IP portfolio, recruit scientific talent, and advance its platforms toward the clinic.

Total raised

$148M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Jul 2021