SonoThera is a company.
SonoThera has raised $61.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at SonoThera.
SonoThera has raised $61.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Key people at SonoThera.
SonoThera has raised $61.0M in total across 1 funding round.
SonoThera's investors include ARCH Venture Partners, Domain Associates, Lu Wang, Foothill Ventures (formerly Tsingyuan Ventures), Illumina Ventures, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Leaps by Bayer, MRL Ventures Fund, RA Capital, Soffinova Partners, Takeda Ventures, Vertex Ventures.
SonoThera is a biotechnology company developing an ultrasound-mediated, nonviral gene delivery platform to treat the root cause of human diseases, overcoming limitations of traditional gene therapies like viral vectors and lipid nanoparticles.[1][2][3] The platform uses microbubbles and focused ultrasound (sonoporation) for precise, redosable delivery of genetic payloads (DNA, RNA) of any size to targeted organs such as kidney, liver, muscle, heart, and CNS, addressing safety, efficacy, biodistribution, and cost barriers.[1][2][3][5] It serves patients with unmet needs in chronic kidney disease, hematologic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular conditions, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and hemophilia A, with plans to advance its first genetic medicine into clinical trials in 2025 and partnerships like Janssen for non-liver targets.[2][5][7]
SonoThera was founded in 2021 by Drs. Kenneth Greenberg (CEO), Michael Davidson (Executive Chairman), and Steve Feinstein (CSO), building on two decades of innovation in ultrasound technology.[2][4][5][7] Feinstein invented the first two FDA-approved ultrasound contrast agents (microbubbles), initially for cardiac imaging, then recognized their potential for gene delivery.[2][4] Greenberg brought gene therapy expertise from UNITY Biotechnology and CODA Biotherapeutics, where he advanced neuromodulation platforms; Davidson complemented with strategic leadership.[2][4] The idea emerged post-2017 Luxturna approval, spotting gaps in gene therapy delivery, leading to SonoThera's launch to commercialize this nonviral approach with early traction via Illumina Ventures investment and a 2022 Janssen collaboration.[2][4][5]
SonoThera rides the gene therapy boom, where over 20 FDA approvals by 2025 highlight delivery bottlenecks—viral vectors limit payload size, trigger immunity, and restrict organs—creating demand for nonviral alternatives amid rising chronic disease burdens.[2][4] Timing aligns with maturing ultrasound tech (e.g., FDA-cleared microbubbles) and AI-driven imaging for precision, fueled by market forces like $10B+ gene therapy investments and needs in non-liver targets.[2][5] It influences the ecosystem by enabling larger payloads for complex diseases, partnering with pharma giants like Janssen/Illumina Ventures, and presenting breakthrough data (e.g., dystrophin expression), potentially expanding genetic medicine to outpatient settings and reducing costs.[2][5][7]
SonoThera is poised to enter clinics in 2025 with undisclosed indications, likely kidney or neuromuscular, backed by 2025 conference data on DMD/hemophilia and Janssen collaboration accelerating non-liver programs.[2][5][7] Trends like sonoporation maturation, combo therapies, and regulatory nods for nonviral platforms will propel growth, with influence evolving via partnerships, IND filings, and potential IPO as pre-IPO shares trade.[7] This ultrasound breakthrough could redefine genetic medicine's accessibility, fulfilling its mission to treat untreatable diseases at the root.[1][4]
SonoThera has raised $61.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $61.0M Series A in December 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2022 | $61.0M Series A | ARCH Venture Partners, Domain Associates, Lu Wang, Foothill Ventures (formerly Tsingyuan Ventures), Illumina Ventures, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Leaps by Bayer, MRL Ventures Fund, RA Capital, Soffinova Partners, Takeda Ventures, Vertex Ventures |
