SonoThera

SonoThera is a South San Francisco, California-based biotechnology company developing nonviral genetic medicines delivered by ultrasound. Its approach, described as ultrasound-mediated delivery (UMD), pairs proprietary ultrasound profiles with ultrasound-enhancing agents (microbubbles) to direct genetic payloads to targeted tissues without viral vectors or lipid nanoparticles. The company states the platform enables targeted biodistribution to nearly any organ, delivery of DNA and/or RNA constructs without size restriction (including full-length transgenic proteins, gene editors, siRNAs and ASOs), and redosing to maintain gene expression over time, while avoiding the immunogenicity and material-related toxicity associated with AAV and LNP vectors.

The platform comprises two named components: RIPPLE (Remote Induction of Pulsed Pressure Lateral to Energy), the ultrasound-mediated delivery technology established and trademarked in 2025, and PORE, a payload engineering technology. Together they are used to pursue DNA and RNA therapeutics, gene editing and gene silencing. Lead programs are in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD); additional disclosed preclinical work covers hemophilia A (Factor VIII) and X-linked Alport syndrome (COL4A5). Preclinical data have been presented at ASGCT, ESGCT, ASH, ASN Kidney Week, MDA and AHA meetings between 2024 and 2026, covering delivery to skeletal muscle, heart, diaphragm, liver, kidney, adipose and brain in mouse models and non-human primates.

The company reports building in-house payload design, engineering and manufacturing capability for DNA, RNA, siRNA and gene-editing modalities (2024) and full vertical integration of payload development, in vitro screening, in vivo pharmacology and analytical workflows (2023). It describes a wholly owned IP portfolio and partnerships with global ultrasound companies.

Founding story

SonoThera was co-founded by Kenneth Greenberg, PhD (CEO and President) and Steve Feinstein, MD (Chief Scientific Officer). Feinstein invented acoustic microspheres ("microbubbles") as ultrasound enhancement agents in 1982, with a first US patent issued in 1986, and is credited as the inventor of the first two FDA-approved ultrasound microbubble agents, Albunex and Optison, which were acquired by GE Healthcare; he later applied ultrasound enhancing agents to gene therapy. Greenberg previously led External Innovation in Cell & Gene Therapy at Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) for Western North America, Australia and New Zealand, led the neuroscience discovery program at UNITY Biotechnology, and co-founded CODA Biotherapeutics and Oncorus. The company launched in 2022 to commercialize ultrasound-guided, nonviral gene therapy.

Business model

SonoThera is a preclinical-stage therapeutics developer funded by venture and strategic corporate investors. It develops proprietary genetic medicine programs on its own delivery and payload platforms, holds a wholly owned IP portfolio, and maintains partnerships with global ultrasound companies; it also describes attracting partnership interest across financial, scientific and academic sectors.

Traction

Traction is preclinical. Reported results include targeted, durable and redosable gene expression across kidney, heart, muscle, brain and liver; delivery of full-length dystrophin to skeletal, cardiac and diaphragm muscle in DMD mouse models and non-human primates; durable Factor VIII expression in hemophilia A models; and full-length Col4a5 expression in X-linked Alport syndrome models and non-human primates. The company raised an oversubscribed $125M Series B in June 2026 (launched January 2026) after a $60.75M Series A in 2022, and targets its first clinical trial, in DMD, in 2027.

Latest developments

In June 2026 SonoThera closed an oversubscribed $125 million Series B led by Vida Ventures with a broad syndicate of new and existing investors; Rajul Jain (Vida Ventures) and Rakhshita Dhar (Leaps by Bayer) joined the board. Proceeds are directed at moving DMD and ADPKD programs into the clinic, expanding the redosable genetic medicine pipeline and scaling platform technologies. The company presented RIPPLE multi-tissue delivery and expression data at ASGCT 2026 (May 2026) and dystrophin delivery data at MDA 2026 (March 2026), and states it expects to begin its first clinical trial in DMD in 2027.