New Biotech Aerska Launches with $21M to Develop Brain-Targeted RNA Therapies

Dublin-based biotechnology company Aerska has emerged onto the pharmaceutical scene with a $21 million seed funding round, aiming to revolutionize the delivery of genetic medicines to the brain. The startup, which also maintains research operations in London, is developing innovative "brain shuttle" technology to transport RNA interference (RNAi) drugs across the blood-brain barrier, potentially opening new avenues for treating neurological disorders.

Targeting the Blood-Brain Barrier Challenge

Aerska's launch comes amid growing industry interest in overcoming the blood-brain barrier, a protective shield that has long posed a significant obstacle to treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The company's platform focuses on antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates, designed to enable precise and durable gene silencing in the brain.

"Neurological diseases remain one of the greatest challenges in medicine, with limited options to alter the course of disease," said Jack O'Meara, Aerska's CEO and co-founder. "By integrating brain shuttles with RNA therapeutics, we aim to enable precise, durable gene silencing in the CNS."

The biotech's initial focus will be on genetic forms of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, with plans to leverage data science for a precision medicine approach in neurology.

Industry Momentum and Competition

Aerska's entry into the field follows a series of high-profile deals and developments in brain-targeted therapies:

• AbbVie's recent $1.4 billion acquisition of Aliada Therapeutics, a company founded on Johnson & Johnson's blood-brain barrier technology.
• Eisai's collaboration with BioArctic on the "BrainTransporter" platform.
• Roche's licensing agreement with Sangamo Therapeutics for their barrier-crossing technology.
• GSK's multi-billion dollar investment in ABL Bio's brain-penetrating antibody platform.
• Biogen's purchase of Alcyone Therapeutics for their antisense oligonucleotide delivery system.

These developments underscore the pharmaceutical industry's growing commitment to addressing the challenges of drug delivery to the brain.

Leadership and Investor Backing

Aerska boasts a leadership team with significant experience in neuroscience and RNA therapeutics. Alongside O'Meara, the company's co-founders include Stuart Milstein, who previously led brain delivery efforts at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Mike Perkinton, former head of discovery for AstraZeneca's neuroscience division, serves as Aerska's research head.

The seed funding round was co-led by Age1, Backed VC, and Speedinvest, with participation from several other venture capital firms including Blueyard, Norrsken VC, and Ada Ventures.

Alex Brunicki, a partner at Backed VC and Aerska board member, emphasized the company's potential: "Delivery across the blood-brain barrier remains the bottleneck for genetic medicines in neurology. Aerska's platform integrates advanced RNAi chemistry with receptor-mediated shuttling and precision medicine, positioning the company at the forefront of CNS therapeutics."

As Aerska embarks on its mission to develop next-generation neurological treatments, the biotech industry watches with keen interest, recognizing the potential impact of successfully delivering genetic medicines to the brain.