Gene therapy 3.0? Gene-coding startup launches with $20M

A new biotech is emerging from stealth to develop what its CEO calls "third-generation gene therapy." Founded by former Human Genome Project researcher Joseph Higgins, SalioGen Therapeutics launched Monday with $20 million in Series A funding to advance a gene therapy platform that works by integrating genomic code into the existing genome using a mammalian-derived enzyme, rather than a bacterial or viral vector that underpin the gene therapies and CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technologies that came before it. "We can treat any number of genetic diseases, because we put a code in," said CEO Ray Tabibiazar. "CRISPR cuts. This is more of a paste function."