AptaDir has raised $45.6M in seed funding to build out an RNA-based platform that reprograms DNA methylation, the chemical tags that help decide which genes get switched on or off in a cell.
The Italian biotech is targeting DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), an enzyme that has long drawn interest as a cancer target but has proven difficult to drug selectively. AptaDir's approach pairs global inhibitors, which it calls aptaDiR, with locus-specific ones it calls captaDiR. The seed round drew a long list of backers, among them 4BIO Capital, EXTEND, CDP Venture Capital, Indaco Venture Partners, XGEN Venture, CE-Ventures, Angelini Ventures, Kerna Ventures, Italian Angels for Biotech and Club degli Investitori.
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