nChroma Bio

When DNA is coiled up into chromatin, it’s inac­ces­sible to tran­scrip­tion, and genes are therefore silent. When it’s uncoiled, genes are active. This process, normally controlled by methyl groups, is called epigenetics. DCVC Bio-backed Chroma Medicine designed program­mable epigenetic editors with effector domains that create precise, durable methylation patterns — thus activating, silencing, or tuning expression of targeted genes, in a way that’s safer and more predictable than alternative gene editing approaches that cut or alter DNA sequences. In late 2024, the company merged with Nvelop Ther­a­peu­tics to form nChroma Bio. The program­mable, non-viral vehicles developed at Nvelop will help deliver Chroma’s epigenetic editing cargo to desti­na­tions in the body such as the liver.