Pioneering precision epigenetic medicines

Moonwalk Biosciences is an early-stage genomic medicine company developing precision epigenetic medicines. Its stated approach is to target the epigenetic code — described by the company as the "software of the genome" — in order to reprogram cells toward a healthy state without altering the underlying DNA sequence. The company pairs an epigenetic discovery/profiling platform with epigenetic engineering tools, an approach it describes as opening the epigenome as a target space for complex diseases.

The company positions its epigenetic editors as an alternative to conventional gene editing methods that cut or nick DNA, which it characterizes as carrying risk from unpredictable repair processes and sequence changes. Moonwalk states its editors use the cell's natural regulation system to control multiple genes in a single step, informed by AI-driven profiling intended to reduce off-target effects and toxicity. At launch the company described a pipeline of epigenetic therapeutics being advanced toward the clinic across multiple indications, with programs presented publicly in cardiometabolic and liver disease contexts (ObesityWeek 2024 and The Liver Meeting 2024) and a multiplex epigenetic engineering platform presented at ASGCT 2024.

As of the company's current website, its positioning is described as "pioneering therapeutics in adipose biology driven by deep genetic and epigenetic insights," and a February 2026 news item on the site reports a shift in focus toward siRNA obesity therapies.

Founding story

Moonwalk Biosciences was co-founded by Alex Aravanis, M.D., Ph.D. (former chief technology officer of Illumina, and CEO), Arash Jamshidi, Ph.D. (president and chief technology officer), and Justin Valley, Ph.D. (identified at launch as chief operating officer), together with scientific co-founder Feng Zhang, Ph.D., a core member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, McGovern Institute investigator, the James and Patricia Poitras Professor of Neuroscience at MIT, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. The founding thesis was that effective epigenome engineering requires first mapping the epigenetic landscape of cellular states at whole-genome, single-cell resolution.

Business model

Therapeutics developer. The company combines an epigenetic discovery/profiling platform with epigenetic engineering capabilities, stating that the combination supports both a discovery platform and a path to developing therapeutics using epigenetic engineering as well as other traditional modalities. The sources do not describe commercial products or revenue-generating arrangements.

Traction

Preclinical/platform-stage. Disclosed traction consists of $57 million in seed and Series A financing at launch, scientific presentations at ASGCT 2024, ObesityWeek 2024 and The Liver Meeting 2024, formation of a Cardiometabolic Advisory Board, and buildout of a leadership and scientific team spanning biology, delivery sciences, immunology, bioinformatics and ML/AI. No clinical-stage programs are described in the sources.

Latest developments

A news item dated February 13, 2026 listed on the company website is headlined "Exclusive: Feng Zhang's epigenetic editing startup shifts focus to siRNA obesity therapies," indicating a pivot toward siRNA-based obesity treatments. The current website tagline describes the company as pioneering therapeutics in adipose biology driven by genetic and epigenetic insights. Team listings also show changes since launch, including Justin Valley identified as Chief Platform Officer (rather than COO as at launch) and Erle Holgersen listed as Staff Scientist for Bioinformatics & ML/AI.