Kizuna Foundation

Kizuna Foundation is a non-profit biotech that translates proven science into life altering treatments for ultra-rare disease patients. Platform medicines such as gene therapy have yielded successful clinical products such as LUXTURA in the retinal disease indication; however, >300 gene mutations cause inherited retinal disease, the vast majority of which have patient cohorts too small for traditional biopharma investment. Our first program is gene therapy to stop progressive vision loss caused by a mutation in the KIZ gene which affects ~200 patients globally. Kizuna Foundation fills the role of the traditional biopharma sponsor by developing a therapeutic strategy, selecting partners, and raising capital to fund critical milestones. With experienced start-up and growth stage operators leading our organization, we have hit our initial pre-clinical milestones quickly and have a clear playbook to reach the clinic in record time. This mission is personal - the impetus for Kizuna Foundation is saving the sight of Stevie and Natalie Ringel, siblings who founded the organization. This mission is critical beyond KIZ patients - by developing a drug effectively in a non-profit model for ultra-rare disease patients, we are creating a path for other families affected by ultra-rare disorders to follow. To learn more about our story and to support our mission, visit kizuna-foundation.org