Estuary Biotherapeutics Launches with $103M Toward Kidney Disease Gene Therapies

Editor’s Take: The financing will support two programs targeted at the most common inherited kidney disease.

Estuary Biotherapeutics, aiming to develop genetic medicines for patients with serious kidney diseases, launched with $103 million in committed financing.

Proceeds from this financing support two lead programs from Estuary, EST-201 and EST-101. The company says these are designed to target the most common genetic subtypes of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

ADPKD is an inherited, progressive, and lifelong disease characterized by the growths of cysts in both kidneys. As time progresses, the cysts enlarge, which displaces functional tissue until the kidneys fail, requiring dialysis or transplant.

Estuary now hopes to advance both of its lead programs through clinical proof of concept, further developing its kidney-targeting platform.

A Common Kidney Disease, But Treatments Needed

ADPKD affects more than 8 million people worldwide, and is the fourth-most common cause of kidney replacement therapy.

“ADPKD is one of the world’s most common genetic diseases,” Estuary Co-Founder and CEO Wayne Sackett said. “Yet patients are still awaiting a therapy that can transform the course of their disease. We paired our scientific co-founders’ landmark breakthroughs in disease biology with a dedicated and passionate team. [They are] focused on solving the most crucial remaining barrier to kidney gene therapy: delivery. By pioneering fit-for-purpose local administration and an efficient global development strategy, our team is moving with urgency.”

How Estuary Was Financed

RA Capital Management led a $93 million Series A funding round. Deep Track Capital, Biogen New Ventures, UPMC Enterprises, Pivotal bioVenture Partners, and the National Kidney Foundation also participated. A family office connected to an individual living with ADPKD was another identified investor.

4BIO Capital and GV Funding co-led Estuary’s $10 million seed financing, and additionally participated in the Series A.