Jessica Alston, Ph.D.

Aera Therapeutics is a biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary protein nanoparticle (PNP) delivery platform to unlock the full potential of genetic medicines. Aera’s platform, based on endogenous human proteins, is being developed to address the limitations of today’s delivery technologies and to expand the reach of genetic medicines to different tissues and applications, in order to benefit more patients across more disease areas. Aera’s licensed technology also includes a therapeutic enzyme platform based on the discovery of novel, compact and programmable gene editing enzymes. Aera is headquartered in Boston and has raised $193 million to date from leading life sciences investors. To learn more, please visit www.aeratx.com.

Atalanta Therapeutics is a biotechnology company pioneering new treatment options for neurodegenerative diseases by utilizing its proprietary RNA interference platform.  Learn more at www.atalantatx.com.

Beam Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BEAM) is pioneering the use of CRISPR base editing to develop precision genetic medicines that treat disease, one letter at a time. Learn more at www.beamtx.com.

BioPalette is a life science start up formed out of Kobe University developing base editing technology for a range of applications. Learn more at www.biopalette.co.jp.

Comanche Biopharma is a maternal and fetal medicine biopharmaceutical company working to lower the risks of pregnancy and premature births worldwide. We are currently developing the world’s first treatment for preeclampsia, which affects more than 10 million women every year. Learn more at www.comanchebiopharma.com.

Invetx is a pioneer in creating novel, protein-based animal health therapeutics to transform standards of care in veterinary medicine. The company leverages a best-in-class, fully integrated biotechnology platform for the discovery, development, and manufacturing of veterinary monoclonal antibodies, and is developing a diverse product pipeline addressing chronic and severe diseases in the veterinary species. In July 2024, Invetx was acquired by Dechra Pharmaceuticals Limited (Dechra), a global specialist veterinary pharmaceuticals business. Learn more at www.invetx.com.

Menlo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: MNLO) is a late stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of serlopitant for the treatment of pruritus (itch) associated with dermatologic conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and prurigo nodularis.

nChroma Bio is a pioneering biotechnology company redefining the future of in vivo targeted genetic medicine to treat a wide array of diseases and bring cures to patients. The company’s integrated product engine tackles significant limitations of existing genetic medicine approaches by enabling safe, precise and specific in vivo delivery. nChroma’s near clinical-stage development candidate, CRMA-1001, is a liver-targeted therapy in development as a potential functional cure for chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis D that leverages the power of epigenetics, nature’s innate mechanism for gene regulation. Guided by a world-class team at the forefront of genetic medicine, founded by renowned pioneers in the field, and supported by top-tier investors, the company is uniquely positioned to deliver groundbreaking therapies with programmable tissue specificity, unlocking highly potent, durable and targeted gene regulation for the liver and beyond. Learn more at nchromabio.com.

NFlection Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies for Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), and other disorders. Learn more at https://nflection.com/.

Nocion Therapeutics, a neuroinflammation and analgesic company discovering and developing novel pharmaceutical treatments for various indications including pain, cough and itch.  Learn more at www.nociontx.com.

Prime Medicine (NASDAQ: PRME) is a biotechnology company founded to deliver on the promise of Prime Editing, a versatile gene editing technology that can truly “search and replace” to restore normal genetic function and address the fundamental causes of disease. Prime Medicine envisions a world where Prime Editing can cure, halt, and ultimately prevent genetic diseases, providing lifelong benefit to patients and shaping the future of gene editing. Learn more at www.primemedicine.com.

RhyGaze is a cutting-edge biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland, and Philadelphia, Pa., USA, focused on developing gene therapies for retinal diseases causing blindness. Founded on pioneering research from the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), RhyGaze aims to restore vision and transform the lives of patients worldwide. IOB scientists Drs. Botond Roska, Bence György and Charles Gubser are the scientific founders of RhyGaze. The name RhyGaze derives from the Basel-German word for the Rhein (Rhy), on the banks of which the IOB is located. Learn more at www.rhygaze.com.

Singular Genomics (NASDAQ: OMIC) is developing a new next generation sequencing platform. Learn more at www.singulargenomics.com.

Tempest Therapeutics (Nasdaq: TPST) is a development-stage biotechnology company advancing small molecule therapeutics that modulate anti-tumor immunity pathways. Learn more at www.tempesttx.com.

Verve Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VERV) is a biotechnology company created with a singular focus: to protect the world from heart disease. Verve is developing therapies to safely edit the genome of adults and confer lifelong protection from coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease and the leading cause of death worldwide. Learn more at www.vervetx.com.