Pfizer backs a small Swiss upstart's attempt to discover a non-viral gene therapy

Joël de Beer made it just a few months into his PhD program at ETH Zurich before he dropped out to join the hunt for the holy grail of gene therapy — a non-viral delivery mechanism.

Now that he’s raised $61 million from some big-name backers — including Pfizer’s venture arm — to aid that quest, the pressure is on.