US-based antimicrobial therapy developer Locus Biosciences completed a $19m series A round on Tuesday that included internet group Tencent.
Artis Ventures led the round, with contributions from fellow venture capital firm Abstract Ventures, non-profit research organisation North Carolina Biotechnology Centre and undisclosed others.
Founded in 2015, Locus has been using Crispr genome editing technology to develop therapies that treat antibiotic-resistant superbugs by targeting the bacterial DNA. The funding will be used to support the company through its first in-human clinical trial.
Tencent had led a $5m round for Locus in July this year made up of convertible note financing that also featured North Carolina Biotechnology Centre.
Paul Garofolo, founder and CEO of Locus Biosciences, said: “Other companies are developing Crispr applications to modify the human genome but we are concentrating our efforts on removing deadly pathogens from the body.
“As our technology targets antibiotic resistant infections without risk to human cells, we can rapidly develop new infectious disease and microbiome therapies that avoid the risks posed by broad-spectrum antibiotics and their selection for antibiotic resistance.”