Lexeo Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage genetic medicine company specializing in cardiovascular diseases, has announced a strategic partnership to develop novel therapies for genetic cardiac conditions. This initiative will leverage a new non-viral RNA delivery platform, addressing diseases that current adeno-associated virus (AAV) platforms cannot treat. The partnership is backed by an investment of up to $40 million from leading life-sciences investors, Perceptive Xontogeny Venture Funds (PXV Funds) and venBio Partners.
The financing will establish a new entity, structured to be non-dilutive to existing Lexeo shareholders. This collaboration represents a significant step in pipeline diversification and the advancement of cutting-edge cardiovascular science.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lexeo will contribute its expertise in cardiac genetic medicines, along with existing preclinical intellectual property and technology, to the new entity. This will be combined with the novel non-viral delivery platform to advance RNA-based therapeutics for genetically mediated cardiac conditions. In return, Lexeo has secured a double-digit percentage equity position in the new entity upon closing the transaction, and is set to receive future milestone payments, royalties, and opt-in rights for certain programs. This partnership has the potential for new modalities like non-viral RNA therapeutics to expand the treatable range of cardiac diseases beyond what AAV-mediated DNA delivery has achieved.
The genetic and precision cardiology market is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating it will approach $40 billion by 2033. This expansion highlights a promising landscape for innovation, particularly in RNA therapeutics for cardiac disease, which addresses a substantial unmet medical need. This collaborative effort leverages Lexeo's established leadership in cardiac genetic medicine, aiming to broaden precision approaches in the field. The new entity is anticipated to fundamentally alter existing treatment paradigms for patients afflicted with severe heart conditions.
Lexeo Therapeutics, based in New York City, is dedicated to transforming cardiovascular disease treatment through pioneering genetic medicine. Their portfolio includes therapeutic candidates targeting underlying genetic causes of conditions such as LX2006 for Friedreich ataxia (FA) cardiomyopathy and LX2020 for plakophilin-2 (PKP2) arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.