Cape Town-based biotech startup Altera Biosciences has secured R29 million (about $1.6 million) in pre-seed funding to develop gene-edited cells that can be used in any patient, regardless of biological match.
The company positions itself as the continent’s first venture dedicated to cell and gene therapy, a high-stakes domain that has long remained underexplored in Africa.
The round was led by OneBio Venture Studio and E Squared Investments, two firms known for backing deep-tech and life sciences bets in the region.
At the helm of the company are co-founders Alexandra Miszewski, an experienced entrepreneur in biotech, and Professor Michael Pepper, a veteran researcher in regenerative medicine.
Altera’s core ambition is to eliminate the immune system’s rejection of transplanted cells, one of medicine’s most persistent challenges.
Their approach centers on developing “universal donor” cells that won’t trigger immune responses. The technique involves gene-silencing technology designed to mask the typical markers that signal to the immune system that a cell is foreign.
Instead of going through the lengthy process of matching donors and recipients, their platform could make off-the-shelf cellular therapies possible, reducing waiting times, expanding access, and increasing treatment consistency.
While the company has yet to disclose its specific therapeutic targets, it suggests that the applications could extend to areas like diabetes, oncology, and regenerative medicine.
Pre-seed biotech rounds of this size remain rare on the continent, especially in a sector as research-heavy as cell therapy.
That said, the company’s investor mix, scientific credibility, and early financial backing suggest a maturing interest in Africa’s capacity to play in deeper segments of the life sciences space, beyond diagnostics and distribution.
If Altera Biosciences can meet its scientific milestones, it could mark a significant step forward not only for African biotech but also for the development of regenerative medicine in underrepresented populations with diverse genetic background. For now, it’s a bold bet with plenty riding on the lab work.
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