DNA Nanobots secures $3.5 million for "Origami" gene therapy
Columbus startup DNA Nanobots has secured $3.5 million to revolutionize gene therapy without using viruses. The Ohio State spinout utilizes "DNA origami" to engineer self-assembling vessels that deliver complex payloads. This fresh capital extends their runway to 18 months for future advancements.
Columbus-based DNA Nanobots has locked in $3.5 million in fresh capital, a significant step toward reshaping how gene therapies are delivered using microscopic, self-assembling structures.
While traditional gene therapies often rely on modified viruses to deliver treatments—a method that can be costly and trigger immune responses—DNA Nanobots is pioneering a non-viral alternative. Their "DNA origami" technology folds genetic material into precise, programmable shapes designed to slip past the body's defenses and deliver payloads directly to diseased cells.
The funding highlights the growing maturity of Ohio's life sciences sector. DNA Nanobots is a spinout from The Ohio State University, commercializing research that originated in local labs.
The details
The $3.5 million investment comes from a prominent family office and anchors the company's $5 million Seed round.
- Runway: The funds secure an 18-month operational runway.
- Goal: The capital will fuel pre-clinical studies, expand manufacturing capabilities, and support strategic hiring in molecular biology and engineering.
"This financing provides the capital needed to advance our programs and execute key value-creating milestones in 2026," said Jim Lynch, CEO of DNA Nanobots. "We are grateful for the strong support from our investors who have re-invested and share our vision."
How it works
Instead of using a viral vector (like a delivery truck) to transport a gene, DNA Nanobots uses the gene itself as the building material.
- The technology utilizes DNA self-assembly to construct nanobots that can carry therapeutic payloads.
- The promise: This approach aims to minimize systemic toxicity and deliver genes that were previously considered "undeliverable."
"It’s encouraging to see capital flowing into Ohio-based companies, including innovative Ohio State spinouts that showcase the strength of our research, commercialization, and homegrown innovation," said Eddie Pauline, President and CEO of the Ohio Life Sciences Association.
What's next
With the anchor investment secured, the company is actively seeking the final $1.5 million to close out the Seed round. Completion of this round will pave the way for IND-enabling studies—the final regulatory hurdle before first-in-human clinical trials.
