# Moonwalk Biosciences

> Moonwalk Biosciences is a San Francisco Bay Area biotech building precision epigenetic medicines. Co-founded by former Illumina CTO Alex Aravanis and CRISPR pioneer Feng Zhang, the company pairs whole-genome, single-cell epigenome mapping with AI-guided 'read-and-write' epigenetic editing tools that reprogram cells to a healthy state without cutting or altering the underlying DNA. Launched out of stealth in January 2024 with $57 million in seed and Series A funding, Moonwalk aims to file its first IND within a few years.

- **Founded:** 2023
- **Headquarters:** South San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founders:** Alex Aravanis (Co-Founder & CEO (former Illumina CTO)), Feng Zhang (Scientific Co-Founder (Broad Institute, MIT)), Arash Jamshidi (Co-Founder, President & CTO), Justin Valley (Co-Founder & Chief Platform Officer)
- **Team size:** ~21-30 employees
- **Products:** Epigenetic profiling platform ('Read'), Epigenetic engineering tools ('Write'), Epigenetic therapeutics pipeline
- **Notable:** Launched out of stealth in January 2024 with $57 million in seed and Series A financing., Assembled a founding team pairing former Illumina CTO Alex Aravanis with CRISPR pioneer Feng Zhang., Built a 'read-and-write' platform capable of mapping methylation across ~28 million genomic sites.

## Products & services

- **Epigenetic profiling platform ('Read')** — Whole-genome, single-cell epigenome mapping that captures methylation information across roughly 28 million genomic sites in healthy and diseased cells, paired with AI prediction of methylation targets.
- **Epigenetic engineering tools ('Write')** — A suite of CRISPR-based, non-DNA-cutting editors built on Feng Zhang's epigenome editing technology that can modify methylation states and control multiple genes accurately and durably in a single step.
- **Epigenetic therapeutics pipeline** — A preclinical, modality-agnostic pipeline aimed at reprogramming cells to a healthy state; the company has signaled interest in cardiometabolic and adipose biology among target areas, with a first IND filing targeted within a few years.

## Achievements

- Launched out of stealth in January 2024 with $57 million in seed and Series A financing.
- Assembled a founding team pairing former Illumina CTO Alex Aravanis with CRISPR pioneer Feng Zhang.
- Built a 'read-and-write' platform capable of mapping methylation across ~28 million genomic sites.
- Backed by a syndicate including ARCH Venture Partners, GV, Khosla Ventures, Alpha Wave, Future Ventures, and YK Bioventures.

## Latest updates

- **2024-01** — Moonwalk Biosciences launches from stealth with $57M in seed and Series A financing to advance precision epigenetic medicines.
- **2024-2025** — Continued team build-out across South San Francisco and San Diego, expanding biology, platform, and translational science staff.

## Links

- Website: https://moonwalk.bio
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moonwalk-biosciences

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/moonwalk-biosciences
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-13