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§ Private Profile · Cambridge, MA, USA
Judo Bio is a technology company.
Judo Bio is pioneering oligonucleotide medicines delivered to the kidney, opening the way for new RNA medicines for systemic and renal diseases. With our STRIKE platform, we use a proprietary approach that harnesses a natural mechanism to target oligonucleotide medicines to the kidney.
Judo Bio has raised $200.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Judo Bio has raised $200.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Judo Bio has raised $200.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $100.0M Seed in October 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 7, 2024 | $100M Seed | Kevin Bitterman | — | Announced |
| Oct 1, 2024 | $75M Series A | — | Access Biotechnology, Ameena EL Bibany, Atlas Venture, Digitalis Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, Pillar VC, The Column Group | Announced |
| Nov 1, 2023 | $25M Seed | — | Access Biotechnology, Ameena EL Bibany, Atlas Venture, Digitalis Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, Pillar VC, The Column Group | Announced |
Judo Bio is a biotechnology company developing oligonucleotide medicines, specifically siRNA therapeutics, targeted to the kidney for treating systemic and renal diseases.[1][2][4] It serves patients with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and kidney-specific disorders by silencing disease-modifying genes in kidney cells via its proprietary STRIKE platform, which uses ligand-siRNA conjugates for receptor-mediated delivery to hard-to-reach proximal tubule cells.[2][3][5] Founded in 2021 and launched publicly in October 2024 with $100 million in seed and Series A financing, the company has shown strong preclinical momentum, completing studies demonstrating potent gene knockdown and advancing its lead program toward clinical trials, earning recognition on the 2025 Endpoints 11 list of promising biotechs.[2][6]
Judo Bio emerged from incubation by Atlas Venture, with founding support from The Column Group, and was formally launched on October 7, 2024, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, though CB Insights lists a 2021 founding year reflecting its stealth origins.[1][2][3] Key scientific leadership includes co-founder Andrew Fraley, a nucleic acid therapeutics expert who has founded multiple biotechs like Triplet Therapeutics, Korro Bio, and Trucode Gene Repair, bringing over 20 years of experience in RNA technologies.[5] The idea stemmed from discovering a novel receptor-mediated delivery method exploiting the kidney's natural megalin receptors to shuttle siRNA conjugates into proximal tubule cells, addressing the kidney's historical inaccessibility for genetic medicines—an innovation validated in preclinical studies silencing multiple target genes.[2][4][6] Pivotal early traction came from this proof-of-concept data, enabling rapid $100M financing co-led by Atlas Venture and Droia Ventures, alongside appointing industry veteran Rajiv Patni as CEO; Patni previously served as Chief R&D Officer at Reata Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Biogen) and CMO at Global Blood Therapeutics and Portola Pharmaceuticals.[2][3][7]
Judo Bio rides the wave of oligonucleotide therapeutics expansion beyond the liver, capitalizing on RNA interference's maturation—pioneered by Alnylam—into extra-hepatic organs amid rising demand for precision genetic medicines in chronic diseases.[3] Timing is ideal post-2024 launch, with preclinical successes aligning with biotech's push for tissue-specific delivery amid a surge in kidney disease prevalence driven by diabetes and hypertension epidemics.[2][3][7] Market forces favoring it include validated siRNA safety profiles, investor appetite for platform plays (evidenced by $100M raise), and unmet needs in "undruggable" kidneys, where SLC modulation could disrupt homeostasis of metabolites like glucose and electrolytes.[2][5][6] By enabling kidney-targeted gene therapies, Judo influences the ecosystem, potentially unlocking pipelines for systemic conditions and inspiring conjugate tech for other organs, as seen in its Endpoints 11 nod signaling VC confidence in renal RNA innovation.[6]
Judo Bio's near-term path centers on dosing its lead megalin-STRIKER in clinical trials, funded by its $100M war chest, while expanding the STRIKE platform to additional kidney cell types and indications.[2][6][7] Trends like AI-accelerated oligo design, combo therapies with small molecules, and regulatory tailwinds for RNA platforms will propel it, especially as kidney disease burdens grow globally.[3] Its influence could evolve from stealth innovator to category leader if Phase 1 data confirm preclinical potency, drawing partnerships akin to Alnylam's model and redefining renal biotech—transforming an organ's weakness into therapeutic strength, much like its namesake.[3][6]
Judo Bio has raised $200.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Judo Bio's investors include Kevin Bitterman, Access Biotechnology, Ameena El-Bibany, Atlas Venture, Digitalis Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, Pillar VC, The Column Group.