Funded project
Equity
Turn Biotechnologies - mRNA Therapeutics with Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery

Turn Biotechnologies - mRNA Therapeutics with Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery

Ageing
Age-related diseases
Cellular reprogramming
Turn Bio develops mRNA medicines that induce the body to heal itself by instructing specific cells to fight disease or repair damaged tissue. They are reprogramming the epigenome – a network of chemical compounds and proteins controlling cell functions to restore capabilities that are lost with age.
Funding
$ 1,000,000
Initiated
3.12.2021
Approval
100% Voted Yes
Turn Bio Website
Anja Kramer
CEO
Marco Quarta
Co-founder
Vittorio Sebastiano
Co-founder
AT A GLANCE

Stage
Developing pre-clinical efficacy data. Series A anticipated Q1/Q2 2022

Area
Cellular reprogramming

Status
Ongoing

Patent Status
Already patented technology

PROJECT LINKS

Background

Turn Biotechnologies, Inc. (“Turn.Bio”, mailing address: 548 Market St. Pmb 23131, San Francisco, Ca 94104) is a pre-clinical start-up based on Stanford University Intellectual Property (IP) developed from 2016 onwards based on the work of Vittorio Sebastiano, Ph.D. and Jay Shakar, Ph.D. (Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford Univ.) (ERA™) and Marco Quarta, Ph.D. (Center for Tissue Regeneration, Repair, and Restoration, Stanford School of Medicine) (AN™) .

Turn.Bio’s focus is a translational program based on the Sebastiano, Shakar, and Quarta research into mRNA and epigenomic reprogramming to restore aging-related loss of function. The developments have evolved into both an mRNA payload development system (ERA™ / AN ™) and a delivery system based on lipid nanoparticles. Both payload and delivery IP are licensed exclusively by Turn.Bio through a combined royalty license agreement with Stanford.

Aims, Hypothesis & Results

Turn.Bio is moving to the next stage in their corporate development – preclinical efficacy testing. The experiments for the ultimate dermatology and ophthalmology indications will lead their pre-clinical efficacy data generation efforts in Q4 '2021, with data available in Q1’2022.

The new round of funding Turn is raising, a relatively small (up to $10M USD) convertible note (non-priced, with a valuation cap) is positioned as ensuring the ability to fully execute, with contingencies, further developing pre-clinical efficacy data important to the Series A negotiations anticipated in Q1/Q2’2022.

Timeline

Turn Bio will conduct preclinical efficacy studies to evaluate the potential of their mRNA-based ERA™ platform for treating age-related conditions in dermatology and ophthalmology.

Data Generation and Availability
Required Funding: $1.0 mil
Duration: Until ROI

VitaDAO Board Evaluation Writeup

Turn.Bio has sufficient funds to continue operating at the current burn rate until the end of the year, assuming no other funds. However, existing investors have indicated their intent to participate in this funding round.

In that case, should no other external parties, including the Fund, participate in the convertible note round, Turn.Bio could continue to operate and complete their efficacy studies on schedule. At that point, the company would need to either proceed to a Series A, and defer Phase 2 GLP material orders until the Series A was closed (with a 6-month window available for this process if necessary) or seek other funding arrangements.

Additionally, there is no reason to suggest that Turn.Bio will not also complete their co-development agreements with Pharma partners, which will add more capital to available funds. At which point, current partners and new Pharma partners could effectively fund Turn.Bio through to Series A even if they face some delays during the efficacy trials or protracted Series A negotiations.

In summary, management has the necessary flexibility to achieve targets relying only on existing partners if needed, though at the expense of time and potential lost opportunity on valuation due to any loss of interest in biotech/pharma by VCs.

Projects supported
No items found.

Latest Project Updates

27
May
2024
27
May
2024
Turn closes a $300M licensing deal for the creation of an ophthalmologic product

A big milestone is reached as Turn Bio signs a $300M licensing deal for the creation of an ophthalmologic product and otic opportunities with an established partner, HanAll Biopharma.
The new product combines Epigenetic Reprogramming of Aging (ERA™) technology and the novel eTurna™ delivery platform, creating first-in-class solutions that address the suffering caused by diseases of aging. This partnership exemplifies the potential of Turn Bio’s technologies to treat diseases of aging across many different fields.

26
October
2023
26
October
2023
Turn Bio is taking the first step towards bringing skin cell rejuvenation therapy to clinical trials

Turn Biotechnologies received positive feedback during an FDA Initial Targeted Engagement for Regulatory Advice on CBER producTs (INTERACT) meeting to review progress on ERA™ and eTurna™ technologies. This is paving a way toward IND and leading towards a clinical trial.

3
December
2021
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