Aspen’s debut reveals first cell therapy investment by Domain

Aspen emerged from stealth Thursday with an autologous stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease. The company’s 2018 $6.5 million seed round, led by Domain Associates and Axon Ventures, marked Domain’s first investment in cell therapy.

Domain became interested in Aspen Neuroscience Inc. for two main reasons, the firm's Kim Kamdar told BioCentury. The company had preclinical data showing that its autologous approach can reproducibly reprogram induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into A9 dopaminergic neurons, and Aspen's genomic assays could ensure the cells were reprogrammed into the correct type without introducing harmful mutations. Kamdar is Aspen's chair, and served as interim CEO after the company’s launch last year...