Africa’s First Gene Therapy Startup Raises USD 1.6 M In Breakthrough Pre-Seed

Altera Biosciences, a South African startup pioneering cell and gene therapy on the continent, has raised ZAR 29 M (~USD 1.6 M) in one of the largest pre-seed rounds in the country’s biotech scene. Co-founded by Alexandra Miszewski and Professor Michael Pepper, the startup is developing a universal donor cell platform that could transform treatments for organ transplants, diabetes, and cancer.

The idea is to engineer donor cells so they’re no longer rejected by a patient’s immune system, removing the biggest hurdle in transplantation medicine. “We’re using gene silencing to make donor cells invisible to immune systems,” said Miszewski.

Backed by investors including OneBio and E Squared Investments, the funding marks a turning point for Africa’s biotech ambitions. With Africa’s genetic diversity offering a unique R&D advantage, Altera hopes to build globally relevant therapies, while ensuring access back home, where advanced healthcare remains out of reach for many.