Concinnity Secures £3M to Advance AI-Driven Gene Therapy Technology

Edinburgh-based biotech spinout Concinnity Genetics has secured £3 million in seed funding to advance its cutting-edge AI-driven gene therapy technology, marking a significant milestone in improving the safety and precision of next-generation gene therapies. Eos Advisory led the oversubscribed funding round with support from Scottish Enterprise, Old College Capital (OCC)—the University of Edinburgh's venture investment fund—and Maven Capital Partners.

Concinnity, co-founded by Jessica Birt and Dr. Matthew Dale, is a spinout from the lab of Professor Susan Rosser and the UKRI UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology at the University of Edinburgh. The company focuses on addressing the critical safety challenges in gene therapies, which remain a significant concern in the biopharmaceutical industry. By leveraging a groundbreaking combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and synthetic biology, Concinnity has developed RNA-based control systems that enable precise gene therapy control, even after dosing, allowing treatments to respond to and reduce their side effects.

This novel technology represents a significant advancement in the field. Unlike many existing solutions that rely on naturally occurring control systems—often limited in functionality—Concinnity's synthetic control systems offer unmatched precision and reliability. These systems are agnostic to therapeutic type, enabling broad application across various therapy areas. By empowering gene therapy companies with the tools to design and optimize safer, more effective treatments, Concinnity is positioned to address a significant unmet need in the industry.

The funding will enable Concinnity to officially spin out and establish its operations in Scotland's thriving life science hub, which fosters innovation in healthcare and biotechnology. The company plans to initiate three new programs focused on developing control systems for key applications in the cell and gene therapy market while continuing to refine its existing systems. This development will be critical for generating commercial validation data to attract future partnerships with industry stakeholders.

Speaking on the significance of this achievement, Jessica Birt, CEO and Co-founder of Concinnity, shared her excitement:

"We are so excited to take the next step in our spinout journey and sincerely thank all the investors and supporters who have helped us make it happen. Our ambition is to be the go-to partner for gene control to make gene and cell therapies as safe as possible."

The investment reflects confidence in Concinnity's work and its potential to revolutionize the gene therapy landscape. Andrew McNeill, Managing Partner at Eos Advisory, emphasized the importance of Concinnity's innovative approach, stating:

"Concinnity is a perfect fit for Eos's focus on backing pioneering Scottish science, addressing a significant unmet need in gene therapy. Combining synthetic biology and AI-machine learning, the Concinnity technology has been described as the 'holy grail for emerging gene therapies,' making such treatments more effective and safer."

Concinnity's success builds upon years of support from Scottish Enterprise, including its High Growth Spinout Programme, which enabled critical technology development and commercial validation. Kerry Sharp, Director of Entrepreneurship and Investment at Scottish Enterprise applauded Concinnity's progress:

"This investment round demonstrates the huge potential of Concinnity's technology, which investors have recognized. Scottish Enterprise has supported the team since its beginnings within the University of Edinburgh, so it's fantastic to be now investing in it as it prepares to spin out."

The University of Edinburgh has also played a key role in supporting the company's journey from research to commercialization. Dr. Andrea Taylor, CEO of Edinburgh Innovations, the university's commercialization service, highlighted the broader impact of this technology:

"Sophisticated gene control systems have the potential to revolutionize advanced therapeutics, enabling new kinds of treatments that will impact future health. Engineering biology is a major strength of the University of Edinburgh, and we are proud to continue to support Concinnity Genetics on their translational journey from lab to clinic."

With this funding, Concinnity is poised to advance its technology further, delivering solutions that could redefine the safety and effectiveness of gene therapies. The combination of precise RNA-based control systems, synthetic biology, and AI positions Concinnity at the forefront of innovation, offering tools that make gene and cell therapies safer, more reliable, and widely applicable.

The company's commitment to enhancing therapeutic safety aligns with the growing demand for precision control in advanced therapeutics. By expanding its programs, gathering critical validation data, and initiating industry partnerships, Concinnity aims to become a leader in gene control solutions, addressing an urgent need in healthcare and driving progress in life sciences.