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§ Private Profile · Berkeley, CA, USA
Biotech company developing in vivo cell and gene therapies for oncology and immunology, focused on CAR-T and cell-based treatments.
Berkeley, California-based Azalea Therapeutics develops in vivo cell and gene therapies by engineering therapeutic cells directly inside patients' bodies using proprietary delivery technology. The biotechnology company utilizes its Enveloped Delivery Vehicle platform to combine cell-selective delivery with site-specific genome integration. This approach eliminates the need for external cell modification and reinfusion protocols typically required for traditional treatments. Its clinical development pipeline focuses on oncology and immunology, specifically advancing CD19-based and BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapies for B cell malignancies, autoimmune diseases, multiple myeloma, and solid tumors. The enterprise has raised $82 million in total venture financing, including a $65 million Series A round led by Third Rock Ventures alongside RA Capital Management and Yosemite. Azalea Therapeutics was founded in 2023 by Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna, Jenny Hamilton, Justin Eyquem, Michael Fischbach, Connor Tsuchida, and Abdullah Muhammad Syed.
Azalea Therapeutics has raised $65.0M across 1 funding round.
Azalea Therapeutics has raised $65.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Azalea Therapeutics has raised $65.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $65.0M Series A in November 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2025 | $65M Series A | Third Rock Ventures | Catalio Capital, Vivo Capital, Jenna Hebert, PHD, Sozo Ventures, Reed Jobs | Announced |
Azalea Therapeutics has raised $65.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Azalea Therapeutics's investors include Third Rock Ventures, Catalio Capital, Vivo Capital, Jenna Hebert, PhD, Sozo Ventures, Reed Jobs.
Azalea Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing precision genome engineering therapies directly inside the body (*in vivo*), with an initial focus on cancer immunotherapies and B-cell driven autoimmune conditions.[1][2][3] It builds Envelope Delivery Vehicles (EDVs), selective couriers that target specific cells like T cells, delivering genome editing tools for precise genetic modifications without ex vivo manufacturing.[1][3] These therapies serve patients with cancers (e.g., blood cancers, multiple myeloma, solid tumors) and autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, multiple sclerosis, arthritis), solving the problems of complex, costly cell therapy production and limited accessibility by enabling faster, scalable treatments with durable effects.[1][2][3] Launched in November 2025 with $82 million in seed and Series A funding, Azalea shows strong early momentum through preclinical programs and presentations at medical meetings.[2][3]
Azalea Therapeutics was co-founded by Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna (CRISPR co-inventor), Michael Fischbach, Jenny Hamilton (president and CEO, former post-doc in Doudna's lab), and others with expertise in genome engineering, synthetic biology, and cell therapy.[2][3] The idea emerged from advancing Doudna's CRISPR work to enable *in vivo* cell programming, merging benefits of lipid nanoparticles and viral vectors via EDVs for precise T cell engineering against cancer.[1][2][3] Pivotal early traction came with the November 4, 2025 launch, securing $82 million led by Third Rock Ventures, plus RA Capital Management, Yosemite, and Sozo Ventures, to advance preclinical assets in autoimmune diseases, multiple myeloma, and solid tumors.[2][3] Headquartered in Berkeley, California, the company builds on UCSF innovations, including lead inventor Justin Eyquem.[3][4]
Azalea rides the in vivo cell and gene therapy wave, addressing ex vivo CAR-T's bottlenecks like high costs, manufacturing delays, and patient burden amid rising demand for personalized immunotherapies.[1][3] Timing aligns with CRISPR maturation post-Doudna's Nobel, plus investor enthusiasm for scalable platforms—evident in its rapid $82M raise.[2][3] Market forces favoring Azalea include aging populations driving cancer/autoimmunity needs, regulatory progress in gene editing, and shifts toward off-the-shelf-like in vivo solutions that could democratize therapies.[1][2] It influences the ecosystem by pioneering EDVs, potentially accelerating adoption across biotech and reducing reliance on complex biomanufacturing, as seen in its preclinical momentum.[3]
Azalea is poised to advance preclinical programs into clinical trials for in vivo CAR-T in blood cancers and autoimmunity, leveraging its $82M war chest for IND filings and data readouts in 2026-2027.[2][3] Trends like AI-optimized editing, combo therapies, and global access will shape its path, amplifying EDV impact amid competition from viral vectors.[1][2] Its influence could evolve from pioneer to platform leader, redefining cell therapy as "simple as dosing a medicine" and extending genomic medicines to millions—transforming Azalea's in-body precision from vision to standard.[3]