Local fund supporting blindness research participates in $26M round for startup

RALEIGH — The Raleigh-based RD (Retinal Degeneration) Fund is a participant in a $26 million investment in the San Francisco company Amber Bio.

Amber Bio is a biotechnology company focused on gene editing using multi-kilobase RNA. The technology allows for solutions that can address multiple disease-causing mutations, potentially helping exponentially more patients.

According to the press release, the company will use this seed round financing to advance its RNA editing platform and continue developing its own genetic medicine programs. It’s also hiring; the website shows openings for a VP of Development, Chief of Staff, and a number of science and research roles.

Biotech with office in Chapel Hill closes on $65M funding round

The RD Fund is the venture arm of the non-profit Foundation Fighting Blindness. The fund focuses on companies at, or approaching clinical testing and targets $2 to $5 million in investment. This funding was made alongside a number of venture partners. Playground Global and Andreessen Horowitz Bio + Health co-led the round of funding with involvement by Eli Lilly, Hummingbird Ventures, and Pillar VC, in addition to the RD Fund.

The post Local fund supporting blindness research participates in $26M round for startup first appeared on WRAL TechWire.

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