
Playground Global, a16z back $26M seed for RNA editing startup aiming to address multiple mutations with single shot
The advent of CRISPR technologies for gene editing has opened up the possibility of treating genetic disorders by making precise changes to patients’ DNA or RNA. But two young scientists believe that for the field to have a bigger impact, it needs to go broader.
Basem Al-Shayeb and Jacob Borrajo are co-founders of Amber Bio, which is taking the wraps off a $26 million seed round to test a new RNA editing platform that they hope can make “multi-kilobase edits” — essentially replacing whole sections of RNA when needed. The round was co-led by Playground Global and Andreessen Horowitz Bio + Health, with participation from Eli Lilly, RDF (Retinal Degeneration Fund), Hummingbird Ventures and Pillar VC.
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