HC Bioscience Shuts Down After Disappointing Preclinical Data for tRNA Asset

Cambridge-based Biotech Discontinues Hemophilia A Program

HC Bioscience, a promising Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotech company focused on transfer RNA (tRNA) therapeutics, has announced its closure following disappointing preclinical results for its lead asset targeting hemophilia A. The company, backed by notable investors including Arch Venture Partners and Takeda Ventures, made the difficult decision to shut down operations after careful consideration of potential paths forward and strategic factors.

Leslie Williams, CEO and co-founder of HC Bioscience, stated in an email to Fierce Biotech, "After completing key animal studies for our hemophilia A program utilizing tRNA-based technology, we conducted a thorough assessment of the data. Given the challenges in targeted delivery and other factors, we made the difficult decision to discontinue development of the program."

Challenges in tRNA Therapeutics and Industry Impact

The closure of HC Bioscience highlights the significant challenges faced by companies working in the field of tRNA therapeutics, particularly in targeted delivery. This setback may have implications for other players in the space, such as Flagship's Alltrna, which launched with $50 million in funding in 2021 but has yet to enter clinical trials.

HC Bioscience's shutdown comes just two years after raising a $24 million Series A round, which was intended to fuel the company's mission of ushering in "a new era of protein engineering with tRNA therapeutics" through two proprietary platforms. The company's ambitious goals included creating medicines to restore protein function without editing genes, with potential applications in multiple diseases regardless of the gene or mutation location.

Recent Biotech Closures Signal Industry Challenges

HC Bioscience is not alone in facing setbacks, as the biotech industry continues to navigate a challenging environment. Since the beginning of 2025, at least four other biotechs—Spotlight Therapeutics, Kojin Therapeutics, Viracta Therapeutics, and Velia Therapeutics—have also closed their doors. This trend underscores the high-risk nature of drug development and the ongoing pressures faced by early-stage biotech companies.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Williams expressed pride in the company's achievements, stating, "While this outcome is deeply disappointing, we are incredibly proud of the progress we made in advancing tRNA science and exploring its potential to impact patients' lives."