KSQ debuts with $76M funding

CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-based therapeutic company KSQ Therapeutics Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) emerged from stealth with a $76 million financing led by Flagship Pioneering, with participation from Polaris Partners, Arch Venture Partners and Alexandria Equities. The company said the funding is spread across a series A and B round but declined to break out the amounts raised in each round.

KSQ is using its CRISPRomics drug discovery technology to develop cancer and immunology candidates. The company said it has used the technology to functionally assess each gene in over 600 tumor and immune models and develop new targets and therapeutic combinations. KSQ declined to provide details regarding its pipeline...