ARPA-H Launches $160 Million Gene Editing Drug Development Program

ARPA-H launches THRIVE, a $160 million program funding seven teams over five years to develop custom gene editing treatments for rare diseases affecting different organ systems. Each team must start clinical trials by year three, with some potentially beginning sooner. The initiative aims to replicate successes like the Baby KJ case through the U.S. moonshot health research agency.

ARPA-H THRIVE program launch

• ▪The ARPA-H program is called THRIVE.
• ▪ARPA-H is the United States' moonshot agency for health research.
• ▪ARPA-H announced on July 9, 2026 that it will spend up to $160 million on a program to advance custom gene editing treatments for rare diseases.

Funding structure

• ▪The THRIVE program will fund seven different teams over five years.

Gene editing treatment focus

• ▪Each of the seven teams funded by THRIVE is pursuing treatments for various groups of conditions affecting different organ systems.
• ▪The THRIVE program aims to replicate successes similar to the Baby KJ case.

Clinical trial timeline

• ▪Some THRIVE-funded teams may start clinical trials much sooner than the year three deadline.
• ▪Each team funded by THRIVE has a deadline of starting clinical trials by year three of the program.

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