ExcepGen was founded to develop breakthrough biologics, gene therapies, and vaccines. We are united across backgrounds in biochemistry, synthetic biology, and biotherapeutics.
Key people at Excepgen.
Excepgen was founded by Thomas Folliard (Founder).
Excepgen was founded by Thomas Folliard (Founder).
Key people at Excepgen.
ExcepGen is a biotechnology company specializing in developing advanced nucleic acid medicines, including gene therapies and vaccines based on DNA and mRNA technologies. Its core innovation lies in enhancing the effectiveness and tolerability of RNA and DNA therapeutics by encoding a specialized “shield” protein that modulates cellular responses to foreign nucleic acids, reducing negative immune reactions. This technology targets sectors requiring innovative treatments for rare diseases and both preventative and therapeutic vaccines. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Francisco, ExcepGen has raised $14 million in seed funding led by RA Capital Management and supported by prominent investors such as Gravity Fund and Apollo Projects[1][3][4].
ExcepGen was founded in 2017, emerging from stealth in 2023 after securing significant seed funding to accelerate its research and development. The company was co-founded by Thomas Folliard, who serves as CEO, and a team of visionary scientists driven to improve human health by advancing nucleic acid therapeutics. The idea originated from the need to overcome limitations in current RNA and DNA medicines, particularly the excessive innate immune response that limits their tolerability and effectiveness. Early traction came with the development of their RNAx platform, which encodes an mRNA protein to dampen overactive immune responses, a breakthrough that has attracted leading investors and partnerships[1][3][4][5].
ExcepGen is riding the wave of rapid advances in nucleic acid therapeutics, a field propelled by recent successes in mRNA vaccines and gene therapies. The timing is critical as the pharmaceutical industry seeks more effective and tolerable genetic medicines to address unmet medical needs, especially in rare diseases and infectious diseases. Market forces such as increasing demand for personalized medicine, advances in delivery technologies, and growing acceptance of RNA-based treatments favor ExcepGen’s approach. By improving the cellular response to nucleic acids, ExcepGen could expand the applicability and safety of these therapies, influencing the broader biotech ecosystem and accelerating the adoption of genetic medicines[1][4].
Looking ahead, ExcepGen aims to leverage its RNAx platform to broaden the reach of nucleic acid medicines, potentially becoming a cornerstone technology in genetic therapeutics. Trends shaping its journey include continued innovation in mRNA vaccine technology, growing investment in rare disease treatments, and increasing regulatory support for genetic medicines. As ExcepGen advances its pipeline and collaborations, its influence may grow from a niche biotech startup to a key player enabling safer, more effective RNA and DNA therapies globally. The company’s mission to “unlock nucleic acid medicines” positions it well to capitalize on the expanding genetic medicine market and drive transformative impacts on human health[3][4][5].
