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Passage Bio is a technology company.
Passage Bio is a genetic medicines company committed to developing and commercializing transformative gene therapies for rare central nervous system disorders. The company employs an advanced scientific approach focused on delivering functional therapeutic genes to patients whose conditions stem from mutated or nonfunctional genes. With multiple therapies currently in various stages of clinical trials, Passage Bio is actively advancing its pipeline to address critical unmet medical needs within the neurological disease landscape.
The company was established from an insight into the profound need for effective treatments for severe neurodegenerative diseases, leveraging significant advancements in genetic science. Its inception was driven by a dedication to pioneering gene therapy solutions for disorders that have historically lacked adequate therapeutic options. This foundational commitment informs Passage Bio’s ongoing research and development efforts, aiming to translate cutting-edge science into tangible patient benefits.
Passage Bio’s therapies are designed for patients living with debilitating and life-threatening neurodegenerative and neurological disorders. The overarching mission of the company is to improve and ultimately transform the lives of these patients and their families by providing durable, disease-modifying genetic medicines. Passage Bio envisions a future where its innovative treatments offer new hope and significantly better outcomes for individuals affected by these challenging conditions.
Passage Bio has raised $230.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Passage Bio has raised $230.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Passage Bio is a clinical-stage genetic medicines company developing one-time, disease-modifying gene therapies for rare, monogenic central nervous system (CNS) disorders, primarily neurodegenerative diseases like frontotemporal dementia (FTD).[1][2][3] It serves patients with conditions such as FTD caused by GRN or C9orf72 mutations, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease variants, addressing the core problem of genetic deficiencies by delivering functional genes via adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors directly into the brain or spinal cord.[1][3][4] The lead product, PBFT02, targets FTD by elevating progranulin (PGRN) levels through intracisternal magna (ICM) injection to restore lysosomal function and slow disease progression; it's currently in a Phase 1/2 upliFT-D trial.[1][2][4][5] Growth momentum includes FDA alignment on scalable manufacturing (suspension-based process with >90% purity and >70% full capsids) and a focused pipeline with three Phase 1/2 programs.[1][4]
Passage Bio emerged as a biotech focused on fulfilling gene therapy's promise for CNS diseases, with a mission to transform incurable neurodegenerative conditions through one-time treatments.[1][3] While specific founding year and founders are not detailed in available sources, the company was built by a team committed to rigorous science, state-of-the-art manufacturing, and patient-centered values like excellence and community engagement.[3] Early traction centers on advancing PBFT02 into the multinational upliFT-D Phase 1/2 trial, alongside pipeline expansion to ALS, Huntington’s, and Alzheimer’s, supported by proactive regulatory steps like FDA comparability for manufacturing.[1][4][5] This positions pivotal moments around clinical validation of AAV1 vectors for CNS delivery and progranulin elevation strategies.[1][2]
Passage Bio rides the gene therapy wave for CNS disorders, capitalizing on advances in AAV delivery to cross the blood-brain barrier via direct injection, amid rising demand for curative treatments in a market projected to grow with aging populations and rare disease incentives.[1][4] Timing aligns with regulatory progress (e.g., FDA alignments) and manufacturing scalability, key as gene therapy costs drop and trial successes (like in spinal muscular atrophy) build momentum.[1] Market forces favoring it include orphan drug designations for rare monogenic diseases (e.g., FTD's 18,000-21,000 US/EU patients) and progranulin's emerging role in neurodegeneration, influencing the ecosystem by validating lysosomal pathways and ICM delivery for broader ALS/Huntington’s applications.[2][4]
Passage Bio's trajectory hinges on upliFT-D trial data for PBFT02, potentially proving progranulin elevation as a neurodegeneration cornerstone, with manufacturing upgrades enabling commercial pivots if Phase 1/2 succeeds.[1][5] Upcoming milestones include trial readouts, pipeline expansions (e.g., ALS, Huntington’s), and partnerships leveraging high-purity AAV tech amid CNS gene therapy's maturation.[4] Trends like AI-optimized vectors and combo therapies could amplify impact, evolving Passage Bio from clinical player to ecosystem shaper in turning incurable CNS diseases curable—echoing its vision to redefine lives through genetic precision.[3][5]
Passage Bio has raised $230.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Passage Bio's investors include Access Biotechnology, ARCH Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, Domain Associates, Frazier Healthcare Partners, GE Ventures, InterWest, OrbiMed, Polaris Partners, SV Health Investors, Wildcat Ventures, Boxer Capital.
Passage Bio has raised $230.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $110.0M Series B in September 2019.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2019 | $110.0M Series B | Access Biotechnology | ARCH Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, Domain Associates, Frazier Healthcare Partners, GE Ventures, InterWest, OrbiMed, Polaris Partners, SV Health Investors, Wildcat Ventures, Boxer Capital, Highline Capital Management, Lilly Asia Ventures, Logos Capital, New Leaf Venture Partners, Sphera Funds Management, Versant Ventures, Vivo Capital |
| Feb 1, 2019 | $120.0M Series A | OrbiMed | Access Biotechnology, ARCH Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, Domain Associates, Frazier Healthcare Partners, GE Ventures, InterWest, Polaris Partners, SV Health Investors, Wildcat Ventures, Lilly Asia Ventures, New Leaf Venture Partners, Tom Woiwode, Vivo Capital |