CAMBRIDGE, UNITED KINGDOM – CamGene Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing first-in-class RNA-based therapies for hearing loss, has announced the successful closing of its oversubscribed seed funding round. The financing was led by the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), managed by Future Planet Capital, and joined by majority investor Eos Advisory, as well as Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, Hex Two, LongRiver Investments, and Parkwalk Advisors through their University of Cambridge Enterprise Funds. Existing investor o2h Ventures also participated in the round.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss by 2050, with more than 700 million requiring intervention. While hearing aids and cochlear implants remain the standard of care, they do not address the underlying cellular dysfunction that causes hearing loss.
CamGene is developing RNA-based therapeutics designed to halt or reverse the progression of hearing loss, targeting the root cause at a cellular level. The treatment is initially intended to be delivered in conjunction with cochlear implant surgery, with long-term plans for standalone therapies to treat patients with milder or age-related forms of hearing loss.
“We are thrilled to have the backing of such a strong syndicate of investors who share our vision to transform the treatment of hearing loss through RNA therapeutics”
–Dr Arpan Desai, CEO
The company’s leadership team brings together expertise in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology, RNA therapeutics, and otologic surgery, combining the experience of Dr Arpan Desai and Dr Paul McKay with Professor Manohar Bance and Dr Matthew Smith of the University of Cambridge.
The newly secured funding will be used to advance CamGene’s lead program through preclinical development and to further refine its proprietary RNA delivery platform for inner ear applications.
“The success of gene therapy for rare forms of hearing loss was a landmark moment for our field. What we are doing at CamGene represents the next evolution—using mRNA technology to target more common types of hearing loss and reach a much broader patient population. This approach builds on the foundation of previous breakthroughs, but takes us into a new era where transformative treatments can become accessible to millions, not just a few”
–Prof Manohar Bance, CSO
Strong Backing from Leading Life Science Investors
The funding round reflects growing international confidence in RNA-based approaches for hearing restoration. Eos Advisory invests in early-stage science and technology businesses focused on improving lives, while o2h Ventures, an early backer of CamGene, brings deep experience in biotech incubation and early-stage funding. Hex Two, co-founded by lipid nanoparticle pioneer Professor Pieter Cullis, participated in the round alongside LongRiver Investments, marking its first investment in the UK.
Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, the investment arm of the University of Cambridge, and Parkwalk Advisors, the UK’s most active university spinout investor, also joined the round, underscoring the Cambridge ecosystem’s role in supporting emerging therapeutic innovation.
Representatives from UKI2S expressed optimism about the company’s approach:
“CamGene’s combination of a validated target and unique multi payload approach is developing a well differentiated therapeutic. The potential to restore lost hearing will be transformative to a large number of patients globally and UKI2S is excited to be backing the work of the CamGene team.”
CamGene’s technology is part of a growing wave of RNA innovation aimed at addressing unmet needs beyond traditional gene therapy. The company’s progress contributes to a broader shift in hearing therapeutics toward biological repair and regeneration strategies.
For more information, visit www.camgenetx.com.
About Eos Advisory
Eos invests in and supports the growth of early-stage, globally relevant science and technology businesses focused on improving lives. Founded in St Andrews, Scotland in 2014, Eos works in long-term partnerships with family offices, individuals, and institutional investors through its Innovation Fund and investment syndicate.
About UKI2S
The UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S) invests in early-stage businesses developing technologies that can deliver societal and economic impact. The fund is backed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and other public bodies, and is managed by Future Planet Capital.
About LongRiver Investments
LongRiver Investments is a global venture capital firm focused on high-growth healthcare and technology companies, with a debut USD fund of approximately $400 million.
About Cambridge Enterprise Ventures
Cambridge Enterprise Ventures is the investment arm of the University of Cambridge, supporting early-stage, high-impact businesses through university-backed capital and industry partnerships.
About Parkwalk Advisors
Parkwalk Advisors is the UK’s leading investor in university spinouts, managing over £500 million in assets across funds that support technology transfer from top UK research institutions.
About o2h Ventures
o2h Ventures is a UK-based investment firm seeding early-stage biotech and AI-driven therapeutics companies through SEIS and EIS funds, operating from the Mill SciTech Park in Cambridge.
Source: CamGene Therapeutics
