Latus Bio closes $97M Series A to advance Huntington’s gene therapy

Latus Bio announced the closing of a $97 million Series A financing to support key milestones, including initial clinical data from the company’s two most advanced programs, LTS-201 for Huntington’s disease and LTS-101 for late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2) disease.

LTS-201, Latus’ first large-rare CNS disease program, is an investigational AAV gene therapy designed to knock-down MSH3, which drives the underlying process of somatic instability in Huntington’s disease. LTS-201 is on track for IND submission in 3Q 2026. Preclinical data have demonstrated unprecedented targeting of medium spiny neurons in the deep brain, supporting the potential for durable therapeutic benefit from a single administration.

LTS-101 for CLN2 disease, a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder, has received IND clearance along with orphan drug designation, rare pediatric disease designation, and fast track designation from the FDA. Initiation of a first-in-human investigator-initiated trial is expected in the third quarter of 2026, and with initial safety, biomarker and clinical results expected by year-end. Latus will use data from the IIT to inform follow-on programs for additional large-rare diseases and to enable expansion into broader patient populations.

“By combining proprietary and engineered AAV capsids with optimal routes for clinical delivery, we aim to achieve robust cell- and tissue-specific transduction at low doses, which we believe is critical to improving safety, efficacy, manufacturability, and costs. This approach enables a repeatable model for developing therapies across multiple underserved indications with significant unmet need,” said CEO of Latus Bio, P. Peter Ghoroghchian, MD, Ph.D.

The financing round includes a $43 million extension led by 8VC, with participation from existing investors DCVC Bio, BioAdvance, Benjamin Franklin Technology Partners, Modi Ventures, Gaingels, and Hatch BioFund. Korea Development Bank and Helen’s Pink Sky Foundation participated as new investors.