Aerska has raised US$39m to develop RNA interference drugs targeting genes linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The Dublin-based biotech is developing medicines that use RNA interference, a method that can switch off harmful genes involved in neurological diseases.
The raise brings Aerska’s total funding to US$60m, following an €18m seed fundraising announced last year.
Aerska was co-founded by Jack O’Meara, a former co-founder of RNA medicine firm Ochre Bio, a start-up that targeted the development of RNA interference drugs to treat liver diseases.
The other co-founders are David Hardwicke and Stu Milstein.
The company’s platform uses what it describes as “brain shuttle” technology to help therapeutics cross the blood-brain barrier, a protective membrane that normally prevents many drugs from reaching the brain.
RNA interference is a biological process where RNA molecules can silence or reduce the activity of specific genes.
Proceeds from the fundraising will support continued development of Aerska’s antibody-oligo conjugate platform and advance its brain shuttle technology to improve delivery of RNA interference therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier to treat a range of neurological diseases.
O’Meara said: “The ability to systemically administer RNAi therapies to the brain unlocks a powerful new approach to treating neurodegeneration.
Aerska is also making targeted investments in data science capabilities to advance a precision medicine strategy for neurology, starting with programmes in genetic forms of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
The US$39m series A financing was co-led by the LSP Dementia Fund of EQT Life Sciences and Age1.
The earlier seed fundraising was co-led by Age1, Backed VC and Speedinvest.
Dr Philip Scheltens, partner and head of EQT’s LSP Dementia Fund, said that Aerska’s approach “offers hope for preserving cognitive function and quality of life.
He added: “The team’s strategy of upstream intervention, combined with a focus on the genetic forms of neurological disease, positions them to transform outcomes for populations who have been underserved by current therapeutic approaches.”
