Nilo Therapeutics Launches with $101M to Harness Neural Circuits for Immune Disorders

Nilo Therapeutics, a New York-based biotech startup, has emerged from stealth mode with a substantial $101 million Series A funding round. The company aims to develop novel treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by leveraging the body-brain axis and neural circuits.

Founding Team and Scientific Approach

Nilo Therapeutics was founded by a trio of esteemed academics: Dr. Charles Zuker from Columbia University, Dr. Ruslan Medzhitov from Yale School of Medicine, and Dr. Steve Liberles from Harvard Medical School. The company's scientific foundation is built on groundbreaking research from Dr. Zuker's lab, which identified specific vagal neurons that play a crucial role in regulating systemic immune activation and inflammation.

This research has shed light on how the body-brain axis not only controls organ function and metabolic rate but also regulates immune responses. Nilo's innovative approach targets "master regulator" brain-body circuits by modulating various immune pathways simultaneously, potentially offering a new paradigm in treating a wide range of immune-mediated disorders.

Leadership and Funding

Leading the company as CEO is Dr. Kim Seth, who previously served as chief business officer at precision oncology biotech Repare Therapeutics. Dr. Laurens Kruidenier, with prior experience as CSO at Cellarity and Prometheus Biosciences (acquired by Merck & Co.), will serve as Nilo's Chief Scientific Officer.

The impressive $101 million Series A financing was led by The Column Group, DCVC Bio, and Lux Capital, with additional contributions from the Gates Foundation and Alexandria Venture Investments. This substantial funding will be used to establish Nilo's laboratories in New York, expand its R&D team, and advance preclinical programs.

Future Prospects and Industry Impact

Dr. Kruidenier expressed optimism about the company's future, stating, "Nilo is at a transformative moment. Kim's leadership and experience will accelerate our mission to translate breakthrough neuro-immunology into medicines that could benefit patients across a broad range of immune-driven diseases."

As Nilo Therapeutics embarks on its journey to harness neural circuits for immune regulation, the pharmaceutical industry watches with keen interest. The company's unique approach could potentially revolutionize treatment strategies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, offering new hope for patients and opening up new avenues for drug development in the field of neuro-immunology.