GERNA Biotech

GERNA Biotech is an startup founded to redefine gene therapy with a Cas-free gene editing platform.

mission: to deliver safe, precise, and repeatable treatments for patients with severe genetic disorders.

Vision: Harness innate cellular enzymes to correct faulty genes without introducing foreign nucleases.

Safer Gene Editing

No DSBs due to Cas-free platform

GERNA’s Cas-free platform edits genes without creating double-strand breaks, making therapy inherently safer. This eliminates unpredictable DNA damage (random indels or chromosomal translocations) often caused by CRISPR nucleases. By using the cell’s own enzymes for precision repair, we avoid introducing foreign cutting proteins. The result is a gentler, controlled edit — a stark contrast to traditional Cas9/Cas12 methods that cut DNA, trigger p53-linked stress responses, and pose significant safety concerns.

PAM-Free Targeting

More flexible targeting for broader therapeutic pipeline

GERNA’s Cas-free gene editing platform eliminates the need for a protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM), unlocking targets across the genome that conventional CRISPR systems cannot reach. This PAM-free targeting provides far greater flexibility, enabling therapeutic editing of mutations previously deemed “uneditable” and thereby expanding our pipeline to more diseases.

Re-dosable Gene Therapy

Non-viral delivery enables repeat dosing

Unlike Cas gene therapies, our platform can be administered multiple times for optimal effect. GERNA’s Cas-free approach uses non-viral delivery and leverages natural cellular enzymes, avoiding immune system triggers. Patients can safely receive repeat treatments to ensure complete gene correction or to treat progressive conditions. Traditional CRISPR therapies often rely on AAV vectors and bacterial Cas proteins that spark immunity and prevent re-dosing—limitations our technology overcomes.

Versatile Editing Platform

Multiple mutation types corrected on one platform

GERNA offers a single, flexible editing platform capable of fixing diverse genetic defects. Whether it’s a single-base mutation, a multi-nucleotide change, or a small deletion, our system can address it without reengineering a new tool each time. This versatility expedites therapy development across different diseases. In contrast, traditional CRISPR approaches often require specialized editors (nucleases, base editors, prime editors) for each mutation type and still struggle with precise multi-base corrections that our platform handles with ease.

CEO

Kitae Song

Dr. Kitae Song is a geneticist and biotech entrepreneur with a Ph.D. in Genetics and deep expertise in genome analysis through bioinformatics. He has extensive research experience at top-tier institutions, including research roles at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) – one of South Korea’s premier basic science institutes – where he contributed to advanced genomic research initiatives. Dr. Song currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of GERNA Biotech, leading the company’s efforts in developing cutting-edge genome editing and gene therapy technologies. In parallel, he holds a position as a Research Professor at the Daegu Catholic University, actively engaging in academic research focused on the molecular mechanisms of aging and regenerative genomics. Dr. Song’s work is centered on the development of the RIDE technology platform – a next-generation genome editing system designed to overcome the limitations of conventional CRISPR-based techniques – and its application in precise genome editing and therapeutic development.

GERNA Biotech is an startup founded to redefine gene therapy with a Cas-free gene editing platform.

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Safer Gene Editing

No DSBs due to Cas-free platform

PAM-Free Targeting

More flexible targeting for broader therapeutic pipeline

Re-dosable Gene Therapy

Non-viral delivery enables repeat dosing

Versatile Editing Platform

Multiple mutation types corrected on one platform

CEO

Kitae Song

Our team is here to inspire you

Dr. Jinhyuk Choi

Ho Sung Yu

Min Hee Jung

Ga Young Seo