Gene-editing biotech launched in January 2026 with $16 million in seed financing from Menlo Ventures, focused on N-of-1 therapies for ultrarare genetic diseases. Its initial lead program targeted phenylketonuria (PKU) before the company pivoted away from it in August 2026 amid growing competition.
Seven months after launching with $16M in seed financing, CRISPR gene-editing startup Aurora Therapeutics abandoned its lead phenylketonuria (PKU) program and laid off staff.
Jennifer Doudna's Aurora Therapeutics is abandoning its lead PKU gene-editing program and cutting 'several' staffers seven months after launching with $16 million in seed financing, citing growing competition in the field.
Founder