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Founded in 2021 by Manoj Patel and chief executive officer Andrew Krouse, Charlottesville, Virginia-based GenEp is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company developing therapies for rare genetic and treatment-resistant epilepsies. The enterprise creates highly selective compounds to modulate specific sodium and other ion channel mutations, utilizing intellectual property licensed directly from the University of Virginia. Operating as a seed-stage venture, the business has raised over ten million dollars in total funding to address significant unmet medical needs in epilepsy patients. This capital includes a recent four million dollar third seed round secured approximately six months ago to advance its pipeline of specialized neurological treatments. The startup is backed by prominent institutional investors including the UVA Licensing and Ventures Group Seed Fund, Angelini Lumira Biosciences Fund, 3B Future Health Fund, and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation.
GenEp has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round.
GenEp has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
GenEp has raised $1.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $1.0M Seed in October 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2021 | $1M Seed | — | 3B Future Health Ventures (helsinn Investment Fund) | Announced |
GenEp is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company developing therapies for rare genetic epilepsies and treatment-resistant epilepsies by targeting mutations in sodium and other ion channels. Founded in 2021 in Charlottesville, Virginia, it licenses intellectual property from the University of Virginia and has raised approximately $10.41M in seed funding, including a $4M round six months ago.[1][2][3] The company serves patients with unmet needs in epilepsy, particularly pediatric cases like SCN8A epileptic encephalopathy, using proprietary tools such as the mouse audiogenic reflex seizure model (MARS™) for rapid in vivo screening of CNS-selective sodium channel modulators like Nav1.6 and Nav1.2.[3][6] Its growth momentum includes multiple seed rounds from investors like UVA Licensing & Ventures Group, Angelini Lumira Biosciences Fund, and 3B Future Health Fund, supporting advancement toward first-in-class treatments.[1][3][6]
GenEp emerged from University of Virginia researcher Manoj Patel's intellectual property portfolio on ion channel mutations driving epilepsy, licensed through UVA Licensing & Ventures Group.[2][4] The company was founded in 2021 as the second UVA startup from the LVG Entrepreneurs in Residence program, with Andrew Krouse joining as CEO and President to lead operations.[2][4][6] Krouse's team brings experience from Cavion, previously acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals in 2019, providing pivotal expertise in epilepsy drug development.[6] Early traction came swiftly with a $1.45M seed financing in October 2021, co-led by UVA LVG Seed Fund, Angelini Lumira Biosciences Fund, and 3B Future Health Fund, fueling initial development of selective sodium channel therapies.[3][6]
GenEp rides the wave of precision medicine in neurology, targeting ion channelopathies amid rising demand for genetic therapies in rare epilepsies affecting ~1% of the global population, where 30% remain drug-resistant.[2][6] Timing aligns with advances in gene sequencing and CRISPR-enabled target validation, enabling faster drug discovery for pediatric rare diseases qualifying for FDA incentives like orphan drug status.[5][6] Market forces favor it through growing VC interest in biotech (e.g., seed rounds tripling in neuro-focused firms post-2020) and partnerships with academic licensors like UVA, which accelerate translation from lab to clinic.[1][2] GenEp influences the ecosystem by validating UVA's startup model and contributing to the epilepsy pipeline, potentially reducing the $15B+ annual U.S. epilepsy burden via innovative screening that de-risks candidates for big pharma acquisition.[3][6]
GenEp's next milestones likely include IND-enabling studies and Phase 1 trials within 2-3 years, leveraging its $10M+ runway and MARS™ model to nominate leads for SCN8A and related indications.[3][6] Trends like AI-accelerated screening and expanded orphan drug funding will propel its trajectory, while partnerships with Jazz-like acquirers could mirror Cavion's exit. Its influence may grow by pioneering ion channel precision therapies, solidifying Charlottesville as a neuro-biotech hub and delivering hope for epilepsy families—echoing its mission to transform rare disease outcomes from the UVA innovation roots.
GenEp has raised $1.0M in total across 1 funding round.
GenEp's investors include 3B Future Health Ventures (Helsinn Investment Fund).
