Quiver Bioscience announced it has received a targeted investment from the Porta family to advance its antisense oligonucleotide, ASO, therapeutic program for Dup15q syndrome. The funding will support critical preclinical activities, including safety studies required for development candidate selection as the program progresses toward clinical development.
The investment is intended to accelerate a key milestone for Quiver’s ASO program, which is focused on addressing a significant unmet medical need. Dup15q syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with increased expression of the UBE3A gene, leading to symptoms such as hypotonia, developmental delays, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder. The condition affects as many as 1 in 4,000 live births, and currently has no disease-modifying treatments.
Quiver’s approach leverages precision medicine to reduce excess UBE3A gene expression, targeting the underlying cause of the disorder. The company’s platform integrates large-scale human neuronal data with artificial intelligence and machine learning to model disease biology and optimize ASO candidates. Its program has already undergone rodent toxicology studies, yielding promising lead candidates that will now advance into further safety and tolerability testing, with a final development candidate expected in the second half of 2026.
The investment reflects a personal commitment from the Porta family, which has a direct connection to the Dup15q community, and aims to accelerate progress toward a viable treatment.
Quiver is also working closely with the Dup15q Alliance, which supports research and advocacy efforts for individuals affected by the condition. The organization views the investment as a meaningful step toward advancing therapeutic development and improving outcomes for patients.
KEY QUOTES:
“We see in Quiver an extraordinary team with the tools, the talent, and the vision to make a real treatment for Dup15q possible. As the father of a daughter living with this condition, this is not an ordinary investment — it is a deeply personal commitment to every family navigating this journey every single day. We are also grateful to the Dup15q Alliance for their guidance and for connecting families like ours with the right people and science to make a difference. We are here to support them and to help ensure that all those living with Dup15q have access to a therapy as soon as possible.”
José A. Porta, President, Porta Hnos S.A.
“There are currently no disease-modifying treatments for Dup15q syndrome, a reality that affects thousands of families worldwide. This investment will be a catalyst towards achieving a critical milestone for Quiver’s ASO program, bringing us one step closer to our goal of delivering meaningful treatments for the Dup15q community. The Quiver team is grateful to the Porta family and Dup15q Alliance for their trust and support of our mission.”
Graham T. Dempsey, Co-Founder and CEO, Quiver Bioscience
“This investment is a powerful signal of what’s possible when families, science, and community come together around a shared goal. We see this as more than funding. It’s real momentum toward a future where Dup15q is treatable. The leadership of both Quiver and the Porta family brings us meaningfully closer to that reality.”
Mike Porath, Executive Director, Dup15q Alliance
