Key points from article :
DNA Nanobots, a biotechnology start-up developing nanoscale gene-delivery systems, has raised $3.5 million as part of its $5 million Seed funding round, extending its operational runway by around 18 months. The company says the investment will help accelerate development of its non-viral gene therapy platform, which uses precisely engineered DNA structures to deliver genetic material directly into diseased cells. There is no academic lead author or journal associated with this announcement, as it is a company funding update.
The firm’s technology is based on DNA origami, a method that allows strands of DNA to self-assemble into nanoscale “nanobots” capable of carrying therapeutic payloads. Unlike viral vectors commonly used in gene therapy, these DNA nanobots are designed to improve targeting and reduce unwanted side effects, potentially enabling delivery of genes that have so far been considered too difficult to transport safely.
The new funding will be used to advance pre-clinical testing, expand in-house manufacturing to support larger and more reproducible production runs, strengthen the company’s intellectual property portfolio, and make strategic hires across molecular biology, nanotechnology, and engineering. According to CEO Jim Lynch, these steps are intended to generate key milestones in 2026 and prepare the platform for later-stage development.
DNA Nanobots is now seeking an additional $1.5 million to close its Seed round. If successful, the company plans to begin IND-enabling studies, a critical regulatory step toward launching its first-in-human clinical trials, marking a major move toward bringing its DNA-based nanomedicines into the clinic.
