# Tune Therapeutics **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/tune-therapeutics **Vertical:** BioTech **Subcategory:** Epigenome Editing **Tier:** Emerging **Website:** tunetx.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary Epigenome editing company silencing disease-causing genes without permanent DNA cuts; raised $175M Series B led by Hevolution, NEA, and Regeneron Ventures; dosed first patient in Phase 1/2 for chronic hepatitis B with Tune-401. ## Company Overview Tune Therapeutics is an epigenome editing company that silences disease-causing genes without making permanent DNA cuts — a potentially safer approach than traditional gene editing for chronic diseases. The company raised $175 million in Series B financing led by Hevolution Foundation (the world's largest longevity-focused philanthropic fund), NEA, and Regeneron Ventures, and has dosed its first patient in Phase 1/2 clinical trials for Tune-401, targeting chronic hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) affects 296 million people globally and is not curable with existing antivirals because HBV DNA integrates into the human genome and forms covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) that persists indefinitely. Tune-401 simultaneously silences both integrated HBV DNA and episomal cccDNA using epigenetic writers that methylate viral promoters without cutting DNA — the first approach capable of targeting both reservoirs simultaneously. Tune's TEMPO platform can theoretically be applied to any disease where gene silencing (rather than permanent knockout) is the therapeutic objective — including oncology, inflammatory disease, and neurological conditions. The Regeneron Ventures participation provides strategic access to Regeneron's protein engineering capabilities and potential co-development agreements for combination therapies that pair TEMPO silencing with Regeneron's monoclonal antibodies. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What does Tune Therapeutics do? Epigenome editing that silences genes without DNA cuts — first applied to chronic hepatitis B (Tune-401), which simultaneously silences both integrated viral DNA and cccDNA. ### How much has Tune raised? $175M Series B led by Hevolution Foundation, NEA, and Regeneron Ventures. First patient dosed in Phase 1/2 for chronic hepatitis B. ### Why is the HBV indication significant? HBV affects 296M people globally. Existing antivirals don't cure it because viral DNA integrates into the human genome. Tune-401 is the first approach targeting both integrated and episomal viral reservoirs simultaneously. ### How is Tune's approach different from CRISPR? Tune silences genes epigenetically (methylating promoters) without cutting DNA — potentially reversible and with a different safety profile than permanent gene editing. ### What is epigenome editing and how does Tune Therapeutics apply it? Epigenome editing modifies the chemical marks on DNA (methylation) and histones (acetylation, methylation) that control gene expression, without changing the DNA sequence itself. Tune Therapeutics uses dCas9 (catalytically inactive Cas9) fused to epigenetic modifiers to install or erase specific epigenetic marks at targeted genomic loci — silencing disease-causing genes, activating suppressed genes, or reprogramming cell state without the DNA editing risks of CRISPR nucleases. ### Why is the HBV indication clinically significant for Tune? Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infects 300 million people globally and can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current antivirals (nucleoside analogs, pegylated interferon) suppress HBV replication but rarely achieve functional cure — the viral cccDNA (the chromatin-integrated HBV episome) persists indefinitely and reactivates if treatment stops. Tune's epigenome editing approach targets HBV cccDNA for epigenetic silencing — potentially achieving functional cure by permanently silencing viral gene expression without eliminating the viral DNA. ### What is Tune Therapeutics' delivery approach for liver and other target tissues? Tune uses lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for liver-targeted delivery — validated by mRNA vaccine technology and multiple approved RNAi therapeutics (Alnylam's products). LNPs deliver mRNA encoding the dCas9-epigenetic modifier and the guide RNA targeting the desired genomic locus. The mRNA is transient — expressed briefly and then degraded — but the epigenetic marks installed are durable, potentially lasting years or decades without sustained drug delivery. This transient delivery but durable effect is a key advantage over gene therapy viral vectors. ### How does Tune's approach differ from CRISPR editing for HBV? CRISPR nuclease editing of HBV cccDNA has been attempted but creates double-strand breaks that may be repaired imperfectly, generating resistance mutations or off-target DNA damage. Tune's epigenetic silencing avoids DNA cutting entirely — instead installing silencing chromatin marks that shut down viral gene expression from intact viral DNA. This potentially safer approach may have superior benefit-risk for a chronic infection treatment where long-term safety is paramount and patients will be treated for years. ## Tags healthtech, b2b --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*