Trucode Gene Repair, Inc. announced that it is advancing its next-generation in vivo gene editing technology to correct mutations that cause sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and other devastating genetic disorders. With $34 million from investors including Kleiner Perkins and GV (formerly known as Google Ventures), Trucode has now emerged from stealth-mode after establishing a broad and exclusive intellectual property estate for its triplex gene editing technology, assembling a cohesive team of industry veterans, and identifying lead candidates in multiple clinical indications. Triplex gene editing technology employs proprietary synthetic peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers and DNA correction sequences to edit disease-causing mutations by harnessing natural DNA repair mechanisms. The mechanism of editing does not cause double-stranded breaks seen with CRISPR and other nuclease-based editing technologies and has the potential for intravenous delivery without viral vectors.

The company has appointed the following individuals to its Board of Directors: Beth Seidenberg, MD, General Partner, Kleiner Perkins; Managing Director, Westlake Village BioPartners; Krishna Yeshwant, MD, General Partner, GV; Andrew Cheng, MD, PhD, CEO of Akero Therapeutics (AKRO); former Chief Medical Officer of Gilead Sciences; Joseph Walton, Partner, Walton, Mitchell & Co.