STAT+: Biotech raises $42 million to run Huntington’s disease trial

STAT PlusExclusive Biotech raises $42 million to run Huntington’s disease trial Latus Bio plans to seek FDA permission to start the clinical trial in the next few months Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Allison DeAngelisMay 4, 2026 Biotech Startups and Venture Capital Reporter Allison DeAngelis[email protected]Allison DeAngelis is the East Coast biotech and venture capital reporter at STAT, reporting where scientific ideas and money meet. She is also co-host of the weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Allison on Signal at AllisonDeAngelis.01. Gene therapy startup Latus Bio has raised another $42 million to start its first clinical trials, where it will try to sidestep issues that have set back a more advanced competitor. Latus is moving two treatments through clinical trials this year. The first is for a form of Batten disease called CLN2 disease, a fatal genetic condition that causes seizures, vision loss, and cognitive problems. The company anticipates having initial clinical data by the end of the year. Advertisement Now, Latus — founded by Beverly Davidson, chief scientific strategy officer at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia — is turning its attention to a second drug candidate, a gene therapy for Huntington’s disease. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, Gene therapy, rare diseases, Startups, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Allison DeAngelis Biotech Startups and Venture Capital Reporter Allison DeAngelis is the East Coast biotech and venture capital reporter at STAT, reporting where scientific ideas and money meet. She is also co-host of the weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Allison on Signal at AllisonDeAngelis.01. Newsletter Your morning rundown of the science, politics, and money driving biotech today Recommended The Readout May 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Axsome wins FDA nod for Alzheimer’s agitation Biotech May 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Her daughter Mila got a bespoke medicine. Now she’s starting a new biotech to make more Advertisement Matt's Take April 30, 2026 Remembering J. Craig Venter: a relentless scientist who changed biotech — and was all too easily misunderstood Politics April 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Katherine Szarama named acting director of FDA’s vaccines and biologics center The Readout April 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Five-way obesity drug is super effective — in mice Subscriber Picks