Chroma Medicine
Chroma Medicine (now nChroma Bio) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing single-dose, in vivo epigenetic editing therapies that regulate gene expression without cutting DNA, initially targeting chronic hepatitis B and D with lead program CRMA-1001.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Chroma Medicine does
Chroma Medicine is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing in vivo genetic medicines based on epigenetic editing — a modality that regulates gene expression by recruiting epigenetic regulators (e.g., DNA methyltransferases, transcriptional activators) to specific genomic loci via a dead Cas9 (dCas9) protein, without cutting or altering the underlying DNA sequence. Its technology stack is modular: lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) deliver cargo to the liver, while engineered virus-like particles (eVLPs / "DLVR particles") extend delivery to extrahepatic tissues, enabling single-dose, programmable, and potentially durable therapeutic interventions. The lead clinical-stage program, CRMA-1001, targets chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis D, indications with high unmet medical need and limited curative treatment options. The company's broader pipeline logic pairs epigenetic cargoes with tissue-targeted delivery to address genetic diseases beyond the liver.
The business model is R&D-driven and pre-commercial: Chroma Medicine monetizes neither approved products nor recurring services. Revenue is "not applicable," and value creation depends on advancing therapeutic programs through preclinical and clinical development, securing regulatory approvals, and ultimately either commercializing directly, out-licensing, or being acquired. Distribution and traditional GTM channels are absent; the company's commercial posture is centered on scientific publication, conference presentation, and partnership development. The company is incorporated in Delaware with operational headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, and an R&D presence in Milan, Italy, following the 2023 acquisition of Epsilen Bio. In April 2026, Chroma Medicine merged with Nvelop Therapeutics to form nChroma Bio, consolidating scientific and leadership teams and securing an additional $75 million in financing. Across its history, Chroma Medicine has raised approximately $260 million in private equity (a $125M seed in 2021 and a $135M Series B in 2023) from a syndicate including GV, ARCH Venture Partners, Atlas Venture, Cormorant Asset Management, Casdin Capital, Omega Funds, T. Rowe Price, and Wellington Management.
Chroma Medicine firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Chroma Medicine
- Legal name
- Chroma Medicine, Inc.
- Website
- https://chromamedicine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Chroma Medicine (now nChroma Bio) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing single-dose, in vivo epigenetic editing therapies that regulate gene expression without cutting DNA, initially targeting chronic hepatitis B and D with lead program CRMA-1001.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Chroma Medicine industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Genetic Medicines
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cardiometabolic & Other Systemic Gene Therapies (HLAAACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Genome Editing Gene Therapies (CRISPR/TALEN/ZFN; in vivo/ex vivo) (HLAAACAD)
Keywords
Where Chroma Medicine is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Chroma Medicine business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations
Chroma Medicine product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Chroma Medicine develops epigenetic editing therapeutics that regulate gene expression without altering DNA sequences, using a platform that fuses epigenetic regulators to dead Cas9 (dCas9) to silence or activate specific genes. The company combines this cargo with modular delivery technologies—LNPs for liver targeting and eVLPs (DLVR particles) for extrahepatic delivery—to develop single-dose, in vivo genetic medicines for diseases of high unmet need. Its lead program CRMA-1001 targets chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis D.
Product overview
Chroma Medicine was a genomic medicine company (now merged into nChroma Bio) that developed epigenetic editing therapeutics through a modular technology approach. The company's core offerings included an epigenome editing platform that modifies gene expression without DNA alterations, single-dose epigenetic therapeutics, and DLVR particles for extrahepatic delivery using engineered virus-like particles (eVLPs). The lead therapeutic program was CRMA-1001 for chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis D. The company acquired Epsilen Bio (Milan) to strengthen its R&D capabilities. In 2026, Chroma Medicine merged with Nvelop Therapeutics to form nChroma Bio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CRMA-1001 Lead epigenetic editing therapy program targeting chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis D infections—diseases of high unmet medical need with limited curative treatment options. Designed as a single-dose, in vivo treatment that regulates gene expression without altering DNA sequences.
Companies that use Chroma Medicine
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Chroma Medicine technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Chroma Medicine partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Chroma Medicine competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tune Therapeutics: Closest direct competitor: an epigenetic editing company using similar dCas9-effector architecture to durably silence or activate genes without altering DNA sequence, with lead programs in hepatitis B and other chronic diseases.
- Beam Therapeutics: Closely comparable base-editing platform developing in vivo precision genetic medicines for liver and extrahepatic indications; pursues single-dose durable gene regulation similarly to Chroma's epigenetic editing thesis.
- Prime Medicine: Develops prime editing — a next-generation gene editing modality delivered via viral and non-viral systems targeting liver and extrahepatic tissues; competes with Chroma for both platform positioning and pipeline indications.
- Intellia Therapeutics: Clinical-stage in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing company using LNPs for liver delivery and other modalities for extrahepatic delivery, directly comparable on delivery architecture and chronic disease strategy.
- Verve Therapeutics: In vivo base-editing company with a liver-directed portfolio and IND-stage programs; shares Chroma's LNP delivery platform paradigm and chronic disease approach.
Broad incumbents
- Editas Medicine: One of the original CRISPR gene-editing biotechs with a broader portfolio spanning ex vivo and in vivo approaches; broader platform scope but overlapping modality space with Chroma's CRISPR-derived dCas9 platform.
- CRISPR Therapeutics: Incumbent CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing company with approved Casgevy and pipeline across hemoglobinopathies, oncology and regenerative medicine; broader modality mix with overlapping liver-directed programs.
- Sangamo Therapeutics: Pioneer in zinc finger and other engineered nuclease platforms for genomic regulation, including epigenetic approaches, with a portfolio spanning rare disease and broader indications.
Emerging players
- Korro Bio: RNA editing company pursuing oligonucleotide-based, single-dose in vivo gene regulation for liver and other tissues; partial overlap as another non-cutting precision genetic medicines approach.
Others
- Vir Biotechnology: While not a gene-editing company, Vir is a leader in chronic hepatitis B and D therapeutics and is highly relevant as a potential competitor and/or partner for CRMA-1001 in its lead indication.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Chroma Medicine social profiles
Digital presenceChroma Medicine financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Chroma Medicine leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Chroma Medicine subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Chroma Medicine funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors16 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Chroma Medicine M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Chroma Medicine
What does Chroma Medicine do?
Chroma Medicine develops epigenetic editing therapeutics that regulate gene expression without altering DNA sequences, using a platform that fuses epigenetic regulators to dead Cas9 (dCas9) to silence or activate specific genes. The company combines this cargo with modular delivery technologies—LNPs for liver targeting and eVLPs (DLVR particles) for extrahepatic delivery—to develop single-dose, in vivo genetic medicines for diseases of high unmet need. Its lead program CRMA-1001 targets chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis D.
Is Chroma Medicine a public or private company?
Chroma Medicine is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently acquired.
When was Chroma Medicine founded?
Chroma Medicine was founded in 2021. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Chroma Medicine based?
Chroma Medicine is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Chroma Medicine's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tune Therapeutics, Beam Therapeutics, Prime Medicine, Intellia Therapeutics and Verve Therapeutics. Broad incumbents are Editas Medicine, CRISPR Therapeutics and Sangamo Therapeutics. Korro Bio is listed as an emerging player. Vir Biotechnology is listed as an others.
Does Chroma Medicine have an API?
No public API is recorded for Chroma Medicine.
What industry is Chroma Medicine in?
Chroma Medicine's product category is Genetic Medicines. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAACAI, Cardiometabolic & Other Systemic Gene Therapies, with a secondary code of HLAAACAD, Genome Editing Gene Therapies (CRISPR/TALEN/ZFN; in vivo/ex vivo). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.