Vienna-based biotechnology startup Epitome Therapeutics has announced €4 million in funding to accelerate the development of its precision epigenome editing platform and expand its team. The financing will support the company’s research programmes focused on creating new therapeutic approaches for regulating gene expression.
The funding round includes a €2 million oversubscribed pre-seed investment and an additional €2 million in non-dilutive grant funding. The round was co-led by XISTA Science Ventures and Caesar Ventures, with participation from Navec Venture Holding GmbH.
Founded in 2025 by Dr. Guido Gualdoni and Dr. Jamie Hackett as a spin-off from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Epitome Therapeutics is developing technologies designed to precisely control gene activity without changing the underlying DNA sequence.
The company’s proprietary CADENCE platform focuses on programmable epigenome editing, allowing researchers to activate genes in a targeted and controlled manner. The approach aims to address diseases where increasing or restoring gene activity could provide therapeutic benefits.
Epitome Therapeutics plans to use the new funding to advance its technology platform, develop its first therapeutic programmes, expand its scientific team, and move closer to selecting its first drug candidate.
The company’s technology is built around engineered epigenetic effectors that are designed to regulate gene expression with improved precision, flexibility, and safety. Unlike traditional genetic modification approaches, the platform focuses on adjusting gene activity while preserving the original DNA sequence.
Investors highlighted the potential of Epitome Therapeutics’ approach, particularly its ability to support targeted gene activation and translate emerging epigenetic science into practical medical applications.
The latest funding reflects continued investor interest in European biotechnology companies working on advanced therapeutic platforms, including gene and cell therapies, RNA technologies, and AI-supported drug discovery. Epitome Therapeutics aims to contribute to this growing field by developing next-generation treatments based on precise control of gene expression.
