Latus Bio raises $97 million to advance gene therapies for Huntington’s and Batten disease

Latus Bio announced closing a $97 million Series A round, including a $43 million extension to a prior $54 million raise. Funding was led by 8VC and included eight other investors such as DCVC Bio and BioAdvance.

The capital will fund development of two gene‑therapy candidates moving toward clinical testing. LTS‑101 targets the CLN2 form of Batten disease, a childhood neurodegenerative disorder, and is slated to start a human trial in the third quarter of 2026.

LTS‑201 is aimed at Huntington’s disease, a progressive brain‑wasting condition that has been difficult for drug developers. Latus plans to request permission from U.S. regulators later this year to begin an early‑stage study.

The company’s approach focuses on novel viral capsids designed to deliver therapy at lower doses, a strategy that could broaden gene‑therapy applications beyond ultra‑rare diseases.