DNALite Therapeutics
Particella (formerly DNALite Therapeutics) is a preclinical San Francisco biotechnology company developing an oral lipid nanoparticle platform to deliver mRNA and other nucleic acids to the intestinal epithelium, targeting pharmaceutical partners developing mRNA therapeutics.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What DNALite Therapeutics does
Particella, Inc. (formerly DNALite Therapeutics) is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2016 and headquartered at 665 3rd St. Suite 250, San Francisco, California. The company is developing an oral lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery platform designed to transport nucleic acid payloads, specifically mRNA, to the intestinal epithelium. The technology is positioned to enable repeatable, non-immunogenic, patient-friendly oral administration of mRNA medicines, addressing limitations of conventional injectable nucleic acid therapeutics, particularly immunogenicity concerns that restrict repeat dosing.
The company's product offering is a single unified preclinical platform branded as "Oral mRNA Medicines." The platform architecture centers on proprietary lipid nanoparticle chemistry optimized for intestinal epithelium targeting rather than systemic (e.g., intramuscular or intravenous) delivery. No named pipeline assets beyond the platform itself are disclosed, no patents or trademarks are listed in available data, and no research publications, clinical milestones, or regulatory submissions have been reported.
Particella operates without commercial revenue, pricing models, or established distribution channels. Its intended customer base is pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies developing mRNA-based or nucleic acid-based therapeutics that require improved oral delivery mechanisms, indicating a likely future business model built around licensing, partnerships, or co-development rather than direct product sales. The company has raised approximately $8.3 million across nine funding events between 2016 and 2023, primarily from SOSV/IndieBio, Berkeley Catalyst Fund, and the National Science Foundation, with co-founders Mubhij Ahmad (CEO) and Timothy Day (CSO) leading a 1-10 person team.
DNALite Therapeutics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DNALite Therapeutics
- Legal name
- Particella, Inc.
- Website
- https://dnalite.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Particella (formerly DNALite Therapeutics) is a preclinical San Francisco biotechnology company developing an oral lipid nanoparticle platform to deliver mRNA and other nucleic acids to the intestinal epithelium, targeting pharmaceutical partners developing mRNA therapeutics.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DNALite Therapeutics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nucleic Acid Therapeutics / Drug Delivery Technology
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- mRNA/LNP & Nucleic Acid Therapeutics CDMO (HLAGABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Plasmid DNA & mRNA Manufacturing Services (HLAAAKAE)
Keywords
Where DNALite Therapeutics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DNALite Therapeutics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations
Marketing channels3 records
DNALite Therapeutics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Particella, Inc. (formerly DNALite Therapeutics) is developing an oral lipid nanoparticle technology platform that delivers nucleic acids (mRNA) to the intestinal epithelium. The platform is designed to enable oral, repeatable, non-immunogenic administration of mRNA medicines as a patient-friendly alternative to injectable nucleic acid therapeutics. The platform is the company's single core preclinical asset and is offered to pharmaceutical and biotechnology developers of nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
Product overview
DNALite Therapeutics (now Particella, Inc.) is a preclinical biotechnology company offering a single unified platform technology focused on oral lipid nanoparticle delivery of nucleic acids to the intestinal epithelium. The company's core product is its oral mRNA medicine platform, which enables repeatable dosing, non-immunogenic delivery, and patient-friendly administration. The platform represents their primary and only named product offering.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Oral mRNA Medicines Platform A preclinical-stage oral lipid nanoparticle technology platform designed to deliver nucleic acids (mRNA) to the intestinal epithelium, enabling patient-friendly, repeatable, non-immunogenic oral administration of mRNA medicines. Targeted at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies developing nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
Companies that use DNALite Therapeutics
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
DNALite Therapeutics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
DNALite Therapeutics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
DNALite Therapeutics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Arcturus Therapeutics: Clinical-stage mRNA therapeutics company that owns and develops its own LNP delivery technology, including oral and inhaled formulations. Direct technology overlap with Particella's nucleic acid + LNP platform.
- ReCode Therapeutics: Developer of LNP-based delivery systems for genetic medicines, including non-intravenous routes of administration. Overlaps with Particella on LNP-enabled nucleic acid delivery beyond traditional IV/IM injection.
- Nutcracker Therapeutics: Biotech developing mRNA therapeutics with proprietary nanoparticle delivery and an on-chip manufacturing approach. Shares the nucleic acid + nanoparticle delivery thesis with Particella.
Broad incumbents
- Moderna: The largest mRNA therapeutics company, with multiple LNP-formulated pipeline assets across vaccines and rare diseases. Represents the dominant incumbent whose injectable delivery paradigm Particella aims to disrupt orally.
- BioNTech: Major mRNA therapeutics company with broad pipeline and proprietary LNP delivery capabilities. A benchmark incumbent that could expand into oral nucleic acid delivery if scientifically validated.
- Translate Bio (Sanofi): Sanofi-owned mRNA therapeutics platform originally developed by Translate Bio. Shares the mRNA + LNP technology stack with Particella, though focused on inhaled and injectable delivery.
Others
- Acuitas Therapeutics: LNP technology licensor that supplied the delivery system behind COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Indirectly comparable as a critical enabler of LNP-mediated nucleic acid delivery, with extensive foundational IP in the space.
Emerging players
- Vaxart: Clinical-stage developer of oral vaccine tablets. While delivery platform (viral vector) differs, Vaxart is one of the few peers pursuing oral administration of nucleic acid-encoded medicines, making it thematically comparable to Particella.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
DNALite Therapeutics social profiles
Digital presenceDNALite Therapeutics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DNALite Therapeutics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
DNALite Therapeutics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DNALite 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 DNALite Therapeutics
What does DNALite Therapeutics do?
Particella, Inc. (formerly DNALite Therapeutics) is developing an oral lipid nanoparticle technology platform that delivers nucleic acids (mRNA) to the intestinal epithelium. The platform is designed to enable oral, repeatable, non-immunogenic administration of mRNA medicines as a patient-friendly alternative to injectable nucleic acid therapeutics. The platform is the company's single core preclinical asset and is offered to pharmaceutical and biotechnology developers of nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
Is DNALite Therapeutics a public or private company?
DNALite Therapeutics is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was DNALite Therapeutics founded?
DNALite Therapeutics was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DNALite Therapeutics based?
DNALite Therapeutics is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
Who are DNALite Therapeutics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Arcturus Therapeutics, ReCode Therapeutics and Nutcracker Therapeutics. Broad incumbents are Moderna, BioNTech and Translate Bio (Sanofi). Acuitas Therapeutics is listed as an others. Vaxart is listed as an emerging player.
Does DNALite Therapeutics have an API?
No public API is recorded for DNALite Therapeutics.
What industry is DNALite Therapeutics in?
DNALite Therapeutics's product category is Nucleic Acid Therapeutics / Drug Delivery Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGABAF, mRNA/LNP & Nucleic Acid Therapeutics CDMO, with a secondary code of HLAAAKAE, Plasmid DNA & mRNA Manufacturing Services. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2834.