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Kate Therapeutics Debuts With $51 Million Series A to Develop Next-Generation Genetic Medicines to Treat Muscle and Heart Diseases

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 8, 2023

SAN DIEGO, June 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kate Therapeutics Inc. ("KateTx"), a next-generation gene therapy company, today emerged from stealth mode with a $51 million Series A financing co-led by founding investor Westlake Village BioPartners and Versant Ventures, with participation from Osage University Partners and UF Innovate | Ventures. In addition, the company has granted Astellas Pharma Inc. an exclusive, worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize KT430 to treat X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM), the details of which are described in a separate press release issued today.

Key Points: 
  • "We are excited to announce KateTx's launch and what this means for patients suffering from muscle and heart diseases," said Kevin Forrest, Ph.D., president, CEO and a director of KateTx.
  • "KateTx is applying novel capsid and cargo technology platforms to enable skeletal and cardiac muscle targeting and liver de-targeting.
  • KateTx's current focus is identifying and advancing clinical candidates for DM1 and FSHD, as well as for other genetic muscle and heart diseases.
  • "With this Series A financing and licensing agreement, KateTx will be able to progress its deep pipeline of internal programs."