Backed by Science, Built for Translation
Editpep holds the exclusive global therapeutic license from UC Berkeley for the PERC™ platform, based on breakthrough work from the Wilson lab at the Innovative Genomics Institute. We are actively advancing toward preclinical development of CNS‑targeted CRISPR therapies.
We’re on a mission to unlock CRISPR’s potential to treat brain diseases through a scalable, safe, and precise delivery platform.
Editpep was founded in 2023 by Dana Foss, PhD, and Ross Wilson, PhD, as a spinout from UC Berkeley and the Innovative Genomics Institute. What began as a breakthrough in academic labs is now being built into a therapeutic reality, with a team focused on translating delivery science into real clinical impact.
Our goal is simple: to bring life-changing genome editing therapies to patients with devastating neurological diseases, starting with those who currently have no effective options.
Headquartered at Bakar BioLabs in Berkeley, CA, we’re proud to be part of the Bay Area’s leading biotech startup community, connected to world-class research, talent, and infrastructure.
Expert‑Led, Mission‑Driven Team
We are scientists, strategists, and builders, grounded in gene editing, neuroscience, and translational drug development.
Dana Foss, PhD
CEO & Co-founderCo-inventor of PERC™, expert in gene therapy delivery
Jake Lesnik
Chief Business OfficerBusiness development leader in cell and gene therapy
Piotr Hadaczek, PhD
VP of Translational NeuroscienceCo-developer of Editpep platform, 20+ years in CNS gene therapy
Francesca Manea, PhD
Expertise in protein chemistry & characterization & biochemical/ biophysical method development
Senior Scientist – Platform BiochemistryRaniel Alcantara-Lee
Associate Scientist15+ years of industry experience running pre-clinical in vivo studies
Benjamin Gowen, PhD
Director of BiologyCRISPR delivery expert, formerly at Spotlight Therapeutics
Co-Founders and Advisors
Ross Wilson, PhD
Founder & AdvisorAssistant Adjunct Professor, UC Berkeley; Director of Therapeutic Delivery at IGI
Krys Bankiewicz, MD, PhD
Practicing neurosurgeon, pioneer in administering gene therapies to the brain. Prof. of Neurological Surgery & Vice Chair of Research at OSUCM.
Editpep Co-founder, Advisor, Investor
Get in Touch
Whether you’re interested in collaboration, licensing, or joining the journey as we translate CRISPR therapies into the clinic, we’d love to connect.