New RNA drug heads to clinic as AIRNA bags $155 million

1 April 2025

US biotech AIRNA has secured $155 million in series B financing to advance its lead RNA-editing candidate into human trials and broaden its pipeline of genetic medicines.

The round, co-led by Venrock Healthcare and Forbion Growth, marks a significant endorsement of RNA-editing platforms, particularly at a time when broader market uncertainty continues to challenge early-stage biotechs.

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based AIRNA is developing AIR-001, an investigational therapy that seeks to restore levels of M-AAT protein in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) — a genetic condition that can result in progressive lung and liver damage.

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