Homology, Unum planning IPOs

Gene therapy and gene editing company Homology Medicines Inc. (Bedford, Mass.) and immuno-oncology company Unum Therapeutics Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) each filed for IPOs on NASDAQ.

Homology hopes to raise up to $100 million in an offering underwritten by BofA Merrill Lynch, Cowen, Evercore ISI and BTIG. The company's platform allows it to edit genomes via targeted homologous recombination using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors derived from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Homology expects to begin a Phase I/II trial next year of lead candidate HMI-102, a gene therapy to treat phenylketonuria (see BioCentury, May 2, 2016)...