Renasant Bio, a Berkeley-based biotech aiming to develop corrector and potentiator medicines for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), has raised $54.5 million in a seed round. The company seeks to replicate Vertex Pharmaceuticals' success in cystic fibrosis by addressing this prevalent hereditary condition characterized by cyst growth and kidney enlargement. ADPKD affects about 300,000 Americans and presents a heterogeneous and challenging treatment landscape. The funding will accelerate Renasant’s clinical programs and efforts to shift its status from underdog to contender in the kidney disease therapeutic space.