Switch Therapeutics is a South San Francisco–based, preclinical biotechnology company founded to advance a new class of RNA medicines that integrate nucleic acid nanotechnology with RNA interference. Its proprietary CASi (Conditionally Activated siRNA) platform combines properties of single- and double-stranded RNAs in one molecule to enable efficient self-delivery, high potency, long duration of knockdown, and cell-selective activation. CASi molecules use an siRNA structure with structural extensions that dock to a sensor developed by Switch, allowing the siRNA to be “switched on” only in selected cells. The company plans to use its initial financing to select and advance a development candidate for its lead program targeting a central nervous system disease and to recruit R&D and corporate talent. Switch also intends to explore expanding the CASi platform into additional indications through potential pharmaceutical collaborations. The technology stems from work by researchers affiliated with Caltech, Harvard Medical School and City of Hope, and the company is led by co-founder and CEO Dee Datta, Ph.D., with CTO Si-ping Han, Ph.D.

Total raised

$52M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Mar 2023