Synthorx employs an expanded genetic alphabet platform to discover and develop novel protein therapeutics by enabling site-specific incorporation of multiple synthetic amino acids into proteins. The technology is designed to tune receptor specificity to improve efficacy and safety of protein drugs. Its pipeline centers on Synthorin™ cytokines, including an IL-2 engineered for activity on specific immune cells. The company plans to use proceeds from its Series C to advance that pipeline. Synthorx is led by Laura Shawver, Ph.D., who serves as president and CEO. The company is based in La Jolla, California. Synthorx is a La Jolla, Calif.-based biotechnology company that uses synthetic biology to discover and develop novel protein therapeutics. It leverages a genetic alphabet platform that expands the chemical and structural repertoire of protein therapeutics to modulate pharmacological properties of biologics. Founded on discoveries from Dr. Floyd Romesberg’s lab at The Scripps Research Institute, the company is led by president and CEO Court R. Turner. Synthorx works internally and in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies toward the design and discovery of new drugs across multiple therapeutic areas. The company completed a $10M Series B financing and intends to use the funds to develop and scale up its novel protein therapeutics. In conjunction with the financing, RA Capital's Andrew Levin will join Synthorx’s board. Synthorx is focused on using synthetic biology to improve the discovery and development of new medicines, diagnostics and vaccines. The company holds exclusive rights to synthetic nucleotide technology from The Scripps Research Institute based on discoveries in Dr. Floyd Romesberg's lab. Dr. Romesberg, a co-founder and associate professor at The Scripps Research Institute, published research in Nature describing the first example of in vivo replication of a synthetic DNA base pair. Synthorx is developing expanded genetic alphabet chemistry—d5SICSTP and dNaMTP (X and Y)—to increase the information that can be stored in DNA and to enable novel proteins, RNA, DNA, research reagents, aptamers and nanomaterials. The company says it will work with partners to apply the technology to drug discovery, improved vaccines and nanotechnologies. Synthorx launched in San Diego with an undisclosed investment from Avalon Ventures and Correlation Ventures and was founded by Avalon Ventures based on Romesberg's discoveries.

Total raised

$73M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series C

Latest activity

Apr 2018