Barcelona-based SpliceBio secures a €118 million financing round for advancing in gene therapy

SpliceBio, a clinical-stage genetic medicines company headquartered in Barcelona, announced the close of a €118 million Series B financing. It is the largest round secured by a biotech company in Catalonia and Spain.

The round has been led by investors EQT Life Sciences and Sanofi Ventures, with participation from Roche Venture Fund, New Enterprise Associates, UCB Ventures, Ysios Capital, Gilde Healthcare, Novartis Venture Fund, and Asabys Partners.

“We are building a company positioned to lead the next wave of genetic medicines”

Miquel Vila-Perelló, Co-Founder of SpliceBio

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SpliceBio has been pioneering protein splicing to address diseases caused by mutations in large genes. The funding will be used to advance the clinical development of SpliceBio’s lead gene therapy candidate for Stargardt disease. It is the first gene therapy of its kind cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enter clinical development for Stargardt disease. It has also received regulatory clearance for clinical development from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Stargardt disease is an inherited retinal disorder caused by mutations in the ABCA4 gene, leading to progressive vision loss and blindness, with no approved treatments. SB-007 aims to provide a functional copy of the ABCA4 protein to potentially treat all patients, regardless of their specific mutation. Proceeds will also support SpliceBio’s AAV gene therapy programs in ophthalmology and neurology.

“We are building a company positioned to lead the next wave of genetic medicines,” said Miquel Vila-Perelló, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of SpliceBio. “The support from such high-quality investors underscores the strength of our programs and our unique Protein Splicing platform and its potential to unlock gene therapies for diseases that remain untreatable today,” he added. 

SpliceBio is changing gene therapies by addressing the limits of AAV vectors, which can only carry genes up to 4.7 kilobases long. Many genetic disorders cannot be treated because the necessary genes are too large. SpliceBio’s Protein Splicing platform uses special proteins called inteins, which were developed at Princeton University. This technology allows genes to be divided into several parts, or transgenes, that are delivered by two AAV vectors. Inside the cell, each transgene is turned into mRNA and then translated into protein, while the engineered inteins work to assemble the complete protein needed for treatment.

Catalonia: A Thriving Hub for Life Sciences and Biotech Innovation

This landmark investment underscores Catalonia’s strength as a leading hub for life sciences and biotech innovation in Europe. Home to over 1,400 companies in the sector, Catalonia offers a dynamic ecosystem where cutting-edge research, world-class talent, and strategic public-private collaboration converge. With globally recognized research centers, a thriving startup scene, and a strong pipeline of international investors, Catalonia is accelerating the development of breakthrough therapies that are shaping the future of global health.

Source: SpliceBio