Download press release

AVROBIO, Inc. Announces $25 Million Series A Financing to Advance Novel,
Clinical-Stage Gene Therapies for Rare Diseases and Cancer
Company Leverages Disruptive Therapies to Create New Paradigms in the Treatment of Fabry
Disease and Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Cambridge, MA, August 2, 2016 – AVROBIO, Inc, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing transformative, life-changing gene therapies for rare diseases and cancer, today announced that it has raised $25 million in
a Series A financing co-led by Atlas Venture, Clarus and SV Life Sciences. AVROBIO will use the proceeds from this
financing to accelerate development of its clinical stage programs in Fabry disease and acute myeloid leukemia
(AML), and to expand its pipeline in rare diseases and solid and liquid cancers.
“AVROBIO’s highly innovative therapies offer potentially life-altering impact for patients following a single infusion of
genetically-modified cells,” said Geoff MacKay, AVROBIO’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are grateful
for the funding and support we have received from our investors, as we continue to focus on displacing the standard of care for patients with Fabry disease or AML through the development of these disruptive gene therapies.”
Gene therapies represent a new paradigm in human health, with the potential to deliver dramatic disease-modifying
effects with long-lasting, durable impact. Underlying these advances are a deeper understanding of cell biology,
immunology and a newer generation of vector designs enabling safe and effective delivery of therapeutic genes
targeted to specific cells. AVROBIO’s initial two programs are leveraging the established safety and effectiveness
of ex-vivo gene therapy to provide Fabry and AML patients with new therapies that have the potential to significantly
improve both their quality of life and lifespan.
AVROBIO’s Phase 1 gene therapy to treat Fabry disease seeks to deliver lasting and meaningful benefits for Fabry
patients. The patient’s stem cells are extracted and genetically modified by adding a new, functional copy of the
faulty gene. The modified cells are then infused back into the patient via a one-time procedure. A durable elevation
of endogenous enzyme is expected, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and eliminate
costly lifetime biweekly intravenous infusions of enzyme replacement therapy.
AVROBIO’s Phase 1 gene therapy to treat AML seeks to recruit the patient’s own immune system to better detect
and eradicate cancer cells. After initial chemotherapy, some of the patient’s residual cancer cells are extracted and
genetically modified to express IL-12, a powerful immune system activator. The modified cells are then infused
back into the patient via a one-time procedure, with a goal to elicit a potent and durable anti-cancer immune response against remaining AML blasts in the patient’s body.
In conjunction with AVROBIO’s Series A financing, the company announced that Bruce Booth, DPhil, Partner at Atlas Venture, will serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Also joining the company’s Board are Scott Requadt,
Managing Director at Clarus, and Joshua Resnick, MD, Partner at SV Life Sciences.
“Scott and Josh bring a wealth of experience in the growth and development of early-stage biotechnology companies,” said Bruce Booth. “Their expertise, together with AVROBIO’s deeply experienced and highly talented management team, creates a dynamic leadership team capable of accelerating the development of these truly important
therapies for patients in immense need.”
AVROBIO
www.avrobio.com
400 Technology Square, 10th Floor, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
Suite 110-100 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L5, Canada
About AVROBIO
AVROBIO, Inc., a leader in lentiviral-based gene therapies, is a clinical-stage company developing disruptive
therapies that have the potential to transform patients’ lives in a single dose. The Company is focused on the
development of its Phase 1 programs in Fabry disease and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), while actively building a pipeline of therapies to treat other rare diseases, and solid and liquid cancers. AVROBIO is headquartered
in Cambridge, MA and has offices in Toronto, ON. For additional information, visit www.avrobio.com.
About Atlas Venture
Atlas Venture is a biotech-focused, early-stage venture capital firm that creates and invests in life sciences
startup companies in the U.S. Atlas is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Since 1993, Atlas has invested
in over 150 early stage life sciences companies. For additional information, please visit www.atlasventure.
com. About Clarus
Founded in 2005, Clarus is an experienced team of healthcare investors with deep scientific and clinical development expertise. In an ever-changing investment landscape, we strive to generate outstanding returns for our
investors and thrive on discovering and developing products that improve people’s lives. Clarus manages $1.7B
across three funds and invests through multiple platforms including risk-sharing partnerships, pre-commercial
royalties, and traditional venture investments. Our venture strategy focuses on investing in innovative therapeutics at all stages of development, in both private and public companies. The Clarus team has collectively led
over 120 healthcare investments. For additional information, please visit www.clarusfunds.com.
About SV Life Sciences
SV Life Sciences (SVLS) is a leading, international life sciences venture capital firm. SVLS affiliated funds have
been investing in life sciences companies since the early 1980s and the Firm closed its first dedicated life
sciences fund in 1994. SVLS’ team of 35 professionals is organized according to experience and specialization
into three practice areas: Biotechnology, Medical Devices, and Healthcare Services/Health IT. These individuals’
diverse and complementary skill sets and experiences enable SVLS to tailor an investment team for almost any
life science business. SVLS employs a close symbiosis between operating and financial professionals which
has led to significant success over five investment funds. SVLS has offices in Boston, London and San Francisco. For more information, please visit http://www.svlsa.com.
Media Inquiries:
Kirsten Dupuis
AVROBIO, Inc.
+1.857.201.2754
[email protected]
Kristen Margeson, Director of Marketing & Investor Relations
Atlas Venture
+1.857.201.2700
[email protected]
AVROBIO
www.avrobio.com
400 Technology Square, 10th Floor, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
Suite 110-100 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L5, Canada