Encoded Therapeutics raises $275M for Dravet syndrome gene therapy

Encoded Therapeutics has secured $275 million in Series F financing to advance its investigational gene therapy, ETX101, for the treatment of Dravet syndrome. The funding round was co-led by GV and another healthcare-focused investment fund, with participation from several firms including ARCH Venture Partners, Janus Henderson Investors, and Farallon Capital Management.

The capital is intended to fund a pivotal trial of ETX101 in infants and young children with SCN1A-positive Dravet syndrome, as well as an expansion study for children and adolescents up to age 18. Dravet syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy linked to the SCN1A gene that causes seizures and developmental delays. ETX101 is designed as a one-time therapy to increase the expression of a functional copy of the gene.

Interim Phase I/II POLARIS data indicated that ETX101 could reduce monthly seizure frequency by as much as 79% in certain patients. Beyond ETX101, the funds will support the company’s broader precision genetic medicine pipeline and the expansion of its internal GMP manufacturing operations.