Latus Bio Raises $42 Million to Advance Huntington's Disease Gene Therapy Trial

Latus Bio secured $42 million in funding to advance gene therapy treatments for rare neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease and CLN2 disease, a fatal form of Batten disease. The biotech company, founded by Beverly Davidson who serves as chief scientific strategy officer at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, is moving two treatments through clinical trials in 2024. Latus Bio's first trial targets CLN2 disease, which causes seizures, vision loss, and cognitive problems, with initial clinical data expected by year-end. The company aims to sidestep challenges that have delayed more advanced competitors in the gene therapy space as it seeks FDA approval for its Huntington's disease program.

Latus Bio's $42 Million Funding Round and Clinical Trial Plans

• ▪Latus Bio is moving two treatments through clinical trials in 2024.
• ▪Latus Bio anticipates having initial clinical data for its CLN2 disease treatment by the end of 2024.
• ▪Latus Bio raised $42 million to start its first clinical trials.

Gene Therapy Programs for Batten Disease and Huntington's Disease

• ▪CLN2 disease is a fatal genetic condition that causes seizures, vision loss, and cognitive problems.
• ▪Latus Bio is developing a gene therapy for Huntington's disease as its second drug candidate.
• ▪Latus Bio's first clinical trial treatment is for CLN2 disease, a form of Batten disease.
• ▪Beverly Davidson founded Latus Bio and serves as chief scientific strategy officer at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Competitive Positioning and Strategic Approach

• ▪Latus Bio will try to sidestep issues that have set back a more advanced competitor in gene therapy.

Perspective of Latus Bio

• ▪Latus Bio aims to avoid the issues that have delayed more advanced gene therapy competitors.
• ▪Latus Bio is simultaneously advancing two gene therapy programs through clinical development in 2024.

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