Led · Equity · Sep 2025

Kinea Bio is pioneering a dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector platform, SIMPLI-GT, designed to deliver therapeutic genes that exceed standard AAV packaging limits. Its lead candidate, KNA-155, aims to restore full-length dysferlin in patients with dysferlinopathy, a progressive muscular dystrophy with no approved treatments. To boost muscle targeting and safety, the company has licensed Solid Biosciences’ next-generation myotropic capsid, AAV-SLB101, as the delivery backbone for systemic administration. Preclinical work has already shown promising efficacy, and upcoming IND-enabling dose-finding and GLP toxicology studies will establish safety, biodistribution and therapeutic windows. The Jain Foundation has committed up to $1.1 million in milestone-based funding to support these studies, giving Kinea Bio initial capital to accelerate toward the clinic. Beyond dysferlinopathy, the firm plans to leverage its SIMPLI-GT platform for additional severe genetic diseases, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, through strategic collaborations and continued innovation.

Participated · Seed · Dec 2017

Myonexus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing transformative gene therapies for limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs). Its pipeline comprises five programs: MYO-101 (LGMD2E), MYO-102 (LGMD2D), MYO-201 (LGMD2B), MYO-103 (LGMD2C) and MYO-301 (LGMD2L), with MYO-102 completing a Phase 1/2a study and MYO-201 in Phase 1 while MYO-103 and MYO-301 are preclinical. The company plans to initiate a systemic Phase 1/2a clinical trial of MYO-101 in early 2018. The programs were pioneered in the lab of Louise Rodino-Klapac, Ph.D., and are under clinical guidance by Jerry Mendell, M.D., at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Center for Gene Therapy. Myonexus highlights that there are currently no approved treatments for the limb-girdle muscular dystrophies and aims to provide first-ever corrective LGMD therapies. Founded in 2017, Myonexus is headquartered in New Albany, Ohio.