Freeline Therapeutics
Biopharmaceutical company that developed liver-directed AAV gene therapies for hemophilia and other diseases. Ceased operations and entered administration in 2023 after clinical setbacks.
Notes
Freeline Therapeutics was a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing liver-directed adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies. The company was developing treatments for hemophilia B, Fabry disease, and Gaucher disease using its proprietary AAV technology platform.
The company was founded in 2015 and backed by Syncona, a leading life science investment company. Freeline went public on NASDAQ in August 2020, raising approximately $120 million at an initial market cap of over $500 million.
Ceased operations in 2023 after facing clinical setbacks with its lead hemophilia B program FLT180a and financial challenges. The company's Phase 1/2 trial results for FLT180a showed variable factor IX expression levels and safety concerns. After failing to secure additional funding or a strategic partner, Freeline entered administration (UK equivalent of bankruptcy proceedings) in late 2023.
Team (Pre-Shutdown)
- Michael Parini - Former CEO
- Pamela Foulds - Former Chief Medical Officer
- Nathalie Franchimont, M.D., Ph.D. - Former CEO (earlier)
Additional Research Findings
- Founded in 2015 in Stevenage, UK
- Backed primarily by Syncona Ltd
- IPO on NASDAQ in August 2020
- Lead program FLT180a for hemophilia B faced clinical setbacks
- Also developing programs for Fabry disease and Gaucher disease
- Used proprietary AAVS3 capsid technology
- Ceased operations in 2023
- Entered administration after failing to secure funding
- Peak market cap exceeded $500 million
Sources
Investors
| Name | Location | Type | Stages | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlbionVC (Healthcare) | London, UK | biotech-focused | seedseries-a+1 | 17 |