Addition Therapeutics Raises $100M to Advance All-RNA Genomic Medicine Platform and One-Time Therapies
Addition Therapeutics, a South San Francisco‑based biotechnology company emerging from stealth, has secured $100 million in funding to advance its groundbreaking all‑RNA genomic medicine platform and build a pipeline of one‑time therapies for chronic and rare diseases. The financing marks a pivotal moment for the startup as it transitions from research to preclinical development, with initial disease‑related non‑human primate studies planned for 2026.
The financing round was backed by a blue‑chip investor syndicate that reflects broad confidence in Addition’s technology and mission. Key participants include SR One, the venture arm of global healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline; Pivotal Life Sciences, a venture capital firm focused on transformational life sciences companies; Abingworth, a life sciences investment firm with a track record in biotech; Osage University Partners, a venture group that supports university spinouts and deep tech; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a globally influential philanthropic investor focused on health innovation; and BEVC, a venture capital firm with expertise in biopharma.
Addition’s all‑RNA, non‑viral, lipid nanoparticle (LNP)‑based PRINT™ (Precise RNA‑Mediated Insertion of Transgenes) platform aims to overcome key limitations of current genetic medicine modalities, such as viral vector‑based gene therapies and CRISPR systems. By delivering template RNA into cells where it is converted into DNA and inserted into a genomic “safe‑harbor” site, PRINT™ aspires to provide durable, one‑time therapies without the safety concerns of DNA double‑strand breaks or viral integration.
The company was spun out of the laboratory of Professor Kathleen Collins at the University of California, Berkeley, where foundational research on retrotransposition and precision gene insertion was conducted. Collins’ expertise in retrotransposase biology underpins the core mechanism of PRINT™, which leverages natural cellular machinery to achieve targeted gene insertion with greater precision than many current approaches.
Under the leadership of Ron Park, M.D., MBA, who serves as Chief Executive Officer, Addition has built a leadership team combining deep scientific expertise with industry experience in genetic medicine. Park previously led biopharmaceutical companies focused on therapeutic innovation, and his recruitment signals Addition’s commitment to translating academic breakthroughs into clinical impact.
The $100 million in funding to date will support several strategic priorities for Addition. The company plans to accelerate the development of its PRINTed therapeutics for chronic and rare diseases, scale its research infrastructure, and expand its preclinical pipeline. Initial disease‑related non‑human primate studies are expected to begin in 2026, representing a key step toward future investigational new drug (IND) applications and eventual clinical trials.
One of the most notable aspects of Addition’s funding story is the involvement of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has provided grant support for a program aimed at using PRINT™ technology to enable endogenous antibody production with a single dose, potentially offering long‑term protection against HIV. This initiative aligns with the Gates Foundation’s emphasis on globally accessible health solutions and demonstrates the broad applicability of PRINT™ beyond rare disease therapy.
Investor interest in Addition Therapeutics reflects a growing appetite for next‑generation genomic medicine platforms that promise to transcend the limits of existing gene therapy modalities. By combining a non‑viral delivery system with precision gene insertion, Addition positions itself at the forefront of efforts to deliver safer, more durable, single‑treatment genetic medicines. Its funding base spans traditional venture capital, life sciences specialists, university spinout supporters, and a major philanthropic foundation, illustrating confidence across sectors in the company’s vision and technological potential.
As Addition prepares to share more details about its lead programs and advance them through preclinical milestones, the biotech’s substantial $100 million financing provides a strong foundation for its ambitious goals. With plans to push its PRINT technology toward translational studies and broaden its pipeline, Addition Therapeutics is emerging as a noteworthy player in the rapidly evolving landscape of genomic medicine.
