On 11 June, Spain-based biotech SpliceBio raised USD 135 million in Series B funding co-led by EQT Life Sciences and Sanofi Ventures, with participation from Roche Venture Fund. The proceeds will advance SB-007, an AAV gene therapy for Stargardt disease currently in Phase I/II trials (ASTRA/POLARIS studies), and expand its protein splicing platform pipeline.

SpliceBio's intein-based technology overcomes AAV packaging limits (4.7kb) by splitting large genes into dual vectors that reassemble into functional proteins post-delivery. SB-007 targets ABCA4 mutations to treat all Stargardt patients regardless of variant type.

The funding highlights growing interest in AAV therapies, mirroring China's surge with 200+ AAV programs, including Belief BioMed's recently approved haemophilia B therapy. Multiple Chinese firms such as Innovec and Kanglin secured 2024 funding, underscoring the field's potential.