Coave Therapeutics
Coave Therapeutics is a Paris-based clinical-stage biotech developing ligand-conjugated AAV gene therapies via its ALIGATER™ platform for rare ocular and CNS diseases, with CTx-PDE6b in Phase I/II and a preclinical pipeline spanning wet AMD, ALS, Parkinson's, and Stargardt's.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Coave Therapeutics does
Coave Therapeutics SA is a Paris-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2014 (originally as Horama, rebranded in July 2021) that develops gene therapies for rare ocular and central nervous system diseases. Its core technology is the proprietary ALIGATER™ platform, which chemically conjugates peptide-based ligands onto AAV capsids or lipid nanoparticles to produce tissue-targeted Precision Vectors that the company positions as safer and more efficient than traditional AAV approaches. The platform underpins a pipeline spanning CTx-PDE6b in Phase I/II for retinitis pigmentosa (positive 12-month data in 17 patients), CoTx-101 for wet AMD and diabetic macular edema using a first-in-class suprachoroidal vector (preclinical, IND-targeted for 2027), CTx-TFEB for ALS (preclinical, funded by a $2.9M ALS Association grant), CTx-GBA1 for Parkinson's and Gaucher disease, CTx-ABCA4 for Stargardt's disease, plus the coAAV-CSF-01 brain-targeted vector and the upcoming OneAAV™ universal capsid.
The company's business model combines retained commercial rights in major markets (US, Japan, South Korea, China) with exclusive regional licensing. The defining transaction is the September 2021 agreement with Théa Open Innovation for CTx-PDE6b in Europe, which delivered a €10 million upfront plus equity and eligibility for up to €65 million in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones plus royalties. Manufacturing is secured through a strategic collaboration with ABL at OXB's Lyon facility, which grants Coave exclusive option on process development capacity. To date, Coave has raised approximately €65 million across venture rounds (notably a €33.1M Series B in July 2021 led by Seroba Life Sciences and a €32M Series A in January 2025 led by Novo Holdings and Bpifrance) and has begun commercial-stage positioning through the April 2025 appointment of a US-based VP Business Development from Alexion.
Coave Therapeutics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Coave Therapeutics
- Legal name
- Coave Therapeutics SA
- Website
- https://coavetx.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Coave Therapeutics is a Paris-based clinical-stage biotech developing ligand-conjugated AAV gene therapies via its ALIGATER™ platform for rare ocular and CNS diseases, with CTx-PDE6b in Phase I/II and a preclinical pipeline spanning wet AMD, ALS, Parkinson's, and Stargardt's.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Coave Therapeutics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Gene Therapy / Rare Disease Biopharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAV Vector Gene Therapy Developers (HLAAACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ophthalmology Gene Therapies (HLAAACAG), Neurology/CNS Gene Therapies (HLAAACAH), Gene Therapy CMC/Process Development Platforms (capsid engineering, producer cell lines, plasmids, upstream/downstream) (HLAAACAN), Gene Therapy Delivery Devices & Administration Systems (catheters, intrathecal, ocular delivery) (HLAAACAL)
Keywords
Where Coave Therapeutics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Coave Therapeutics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Gene Therapy Product Sales: Direct commercialization of proprietary gene therapy products in retained territories. Coave retains commercial rights to CTx-PDE6b in US, Japan, South Korea, China and other territories outside Europe.
- Licensing and Milestone Payments: Exclusive licensing agreements with upfront payments, development/regulatory/commercial milestone payments, and sales royalties. Example: Upfront payment of €10 million plus milestone payments up to €65 million plus royalties from Théa Open Innovation for CTx-PDE6b European rights.
- Platform Licensing: ALIGATER platform technology can be applied to any vector regardless of administration route or target tissue, enabling exploration of prevalent indications and potential platform licensing opportunities.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Coave Therapeutics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Coave Therapeutics develops clinical and preclinical AAV-based gene therapies for rare inherited ocular and CNS diseases, powered by its proprietary ALIGATER™ ligand-conjugated AAV delivery platform. Its lead clinical program CTx-PDE6b is in Phase I/II for PDE6b retinitis pigmentosa, and it is advancing CoTx-101 for retinal vascular diseases (wet AMD, DME) using a first-in-class suprachoroidal vector, alongside preclinical programs for ALS, Parkinson's/Gaucher, Stargardt's and CNS indications. The platform is also positioned for licensing to other gene therapy developers.
Product overview
Coave Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing gene therapies for rare ocular and CNS diseases. Its core technology is the ALIGATER™ platform, a proprietary AAV-Ligand Conjugate system that chemically modifies AAV capsids for enhanced targeted delivery. The company operates a pipeline model with its lead clinical product CTx-PDE6b (retinitis pigmentosa, Phase I/II) and emerging lead CoTx-101 (retinal vascular diseases). Preclinical programs include CTx-TFEB (ALS), CTx-GBA1 (Parkinson's/Gaucher), and CTx-ABCA4 (Stargardt's). The company has also developed coAAV-CSF-01 for brain-targeted delivery and announced OneAAV™ universal capsid for future generations of gene therapy vectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ALIGATER: Proprietary AAV-Ligand Conjugate platform enabling targeted gene delivery through chemically modified AAV capsids for precision vectors that are highly tissue specific.
Products and services
- CTx-PDE6b AAV5-based gene therapy delivering a functional copy of the human PDE6b gene to photoreceptor cells of patients with retinitis pigmentosa caused by bi-allelic mutations in the PDE6b gene. Currently in Phase I/II clinical trials. European commercial rights licensed to Théa Open Innovation; Coave retains rights in US, Japan, South Korea, China and other territories.
- CoTx-101 Lead gene therapy program for retinal vascular diseases including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Powered by Coave's first-in-class precision suprachoroidal AAV delivery vector enabling in-office administration, deep retinal penetration, broad tissue coverage and sustained expression of two clinically validated anti-angiogenesis biologics.
- coAAV-CSF-01 Novel brain-targeted gene therapy vector launched from the ALIGATER platform for neurodegenerative and other CNS diseases. Represents an additional CNS-targeted coAAV capsid for the company.
- OneAAV™ Universal Capsid Next-generation universal capsid technology representing the third generation of Coave's gene therapy vector platform, designed to expand the range of indications and delivery routes addressable with the ALIGATER platform.
- CTx-TFEB Preclinical gene therapy program for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that aims to promote autophagy by delivering the TFEB gene to neurons, with the goal of potentially treating all forms of ALS. Supported by $2.9M grant from the ALS Association.
- CTx-GBA1 Preclinical gene therapy program for Parkinson's disease and Gaucher Disease using AAV-Ligand Conjugate capsids from the ALIGATER platform.
- CTx-ABCA4 Preclinical gene therapy program for Stargardt's disease using AAV-Ligand Conjugate capsids from the ALIGATER platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- ≥70% of patients injection-free at one year
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Coave Therapeutics
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Coave Therapeutics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Coave Therapeutics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- University of NantescoreFounding science from University of Nantes underlies Coave's ALIGATER platform technology. Lolita Petit, CSO, obtained PhD in Biotechnologies and Therapeutics from University of Nantes.
- Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases (IMN) - University of Bordeaux/CNRScoreCollaboration to develop gene therapy programs targeting protein degradation in neurodegenerative disorders. Explores TFEB gene therapy for alpha-synucleinopathies such as MSA and Parkinson's disease. IMN conducts in vivo studies using Coave's ALIGATER platform for coAAV vectors carrying TFEB gene.
- ABLcoreStrategic collaboration to develop gene therapy manufacturing processes and create joint capabilities for process development of AAV-based products. Two-stage collaboration combines complementary expertise with co-development teams working in ABL's GMP facility in Lyon. Provides Coave exclusive option for process development capacity and laboratory space.
- Théa Open InnovationflagshipExclusive licensing, co-development and commercialization agreement for CTx-PDE6b in Europe. Coave received €10 million upfront payment and equity investment, eligible for up to €65 million in milestones plus royalties. Théa gains rights to commercialize in EU and certain territories while Coave retains rights in US, Japan, South Korea, China and rest of world.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Coave Therapeutics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MeiraGTx Holdings: Clinical-stage gene therapy company developing AAV-based therapies for ocular diseases (including retinitis pigmentosa) and CNS disorders, with a pipeline of candidates addressing inherited retinal diseases and neurodegenerative conditions — directly comparable to Coave's ocular + CNS AAV focus.
- Lexeo Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech focused on AAV-based gene therapies for ocular and CNS diseases, with pipeline assets in inherited retinal diseases and Alzheimer's disease — most direct US-side comparable to Coave's platform and indication strategy.
- GenSight Biologics: European clinical-stage gene therapy company developing AAV-based therapies for retinal diseases, including Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and retinitis pigmentosa — directly comparable on indication, modality, and European clinical-stage positioning.
- Adverum Biotechnologies: Clinical-stage gene therapy company developing AAV vectors for ocular diseases, including wet AMD and diabetic macular edema — directly comparable to Coave's CoTx-101 retinal vascular disease program and suprachoroidal/intravitreal delivery approach.
- 4D Molecular Therapeutics: Clinical-stage gene therapy company with a proprietary engineered AAV capsid platform targeting ophthalmology (wet AMD, RP) and CNS indications — most directly comparable on the platform-modality angle, leveraging custom capsid libraries to address ocular and CNS tissues.
- AviadoBio: Clinical-stage AAV gene therapy company focused on CNS neurodegenerative diseases including frontotemporal dementia and ALS — directly comparable on the CNS/AAV axis and overlapping with Coave's CTx-TFEB ALS program.
- Nightstar Therapeutics (acquired by Biogen): Was a clinical-stage AAV gene therapy company focused on inherited retinal diseases (choroideremia, X-linked retinitis pigmentosa), acquired by Biogen in 2019 — historically the most direct ocular AAV gene therapy comparable and a useful benchmark for M&A exit dynamics in this space.
Broad incumbents
- Spark Therapeutics (Roche): Pioneer in ocular AAV gene therapy (Luxturna for RPE65 IRD) and broader gene therapy platform now under Roche — comparable on ocular AAV gene therapy modality and leadership bench (Coave's CSO Lolita Petit was previously at Spark).
- RegenxBio: Established AAV gene therapy platform company with multiple clinical programs in ocular (wet AMD via ABBV-RGX-314) and CNS diseases — comparable as a broader AAV platform incumbent, and Olivier Danos (Coave board member) currently serves as RegenxBio's CSO.
Emerging players
- Kriya Therapeutics: Emerging gene therapy company developing engineered AAV capsids for ophthalmology, CNS, and metabolic diseases — comparable on the AAV platform + ocular/CNS indication overlap and on capital scale as a privately held clinical-stage peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Coave Therapeutics social profiles
Digital presenceCoave Therapeutics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Coave Therapeutics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Coave Therapeutics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors16 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Coave Therapeutics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Coave Therapeutics
What does Coave Therapeutics do?
Coave Therapeutics develops clinical and preclinical AAV-based gene therapies for rare inherited ocular and CNS diseases, powered by its proprietary ALIGATER™ ligand-conjugated AAV delivery platform. Its lead clinical program CTx-PDE6b is in Phase I/II for PDE6b retinitis pigmentosa, and it is advancing CoTx-101 for retinal vascular diseases (wet AMD, DME) using a first-in-class suprachoroidal vector, alongside preclinical programs for ALS, Parkinson's/Gaucher, Stargardt's and CNS indications. The platform is also positioned for licensing to other gene therapy developers.
Is Coave Therapeutics a public or private company?
Coave Therapeutics is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Coave Therapeutics founded?
Coave Therapeutics was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Coave Therapeutics based?
Coave Therapeutics is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Coave Therapeutics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Gene Therapy Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensing and Milestone Payments and platform Licensing.
Who are Coave Therapeutics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MeiraGTx Holdings, Lexeo Therapeutics, GenSight Biologics, Adverum Biotechnologies, 4D Molecular Therapeutics, AviadoBio and Nightstar Therapeutics (acquired by Biogen). Broad incumbents are Spark Therapeutics (Roche) and RegenxBio. Kriya Therapeutics is listed as an emerging player.
Does Coave Therapeutics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Coave Therapeutics.
What industry is Coave Therapeutics in?
Coave Therapeutics's product category is Gene Therapy / Rare Disease Biopharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAACAA, AAV Vector Gene Therapy Developers, with a secondary code of HLAAACAG, Ophthalmology Gene Therapies. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2834.