Atalanta Therapeutics Secures $97M to Advance Brain-Targeted RNAi Therapies

Boston-based Atalanta Therapeutics has raised $97 million in a Series B funding round to propel its innovative RNA interference (RNAi) therapies targeting neurological conditions into clinical testing. The company's technology aims to overcome longstanding challenges in delivering oligonucleotide therapies to the brain, potentially opening new avenues for treating disorders such as Huntington's disease and epilepsy.

Pioneering RNAi Delivery to the Brain

Atalanta's approach involves linking two small interfering RNAs in a novel configuration designed to penetrate deeply into brain tissue. This method, developed from research originating in the lab of University of Massachusetts professor Craig Mello, seeks to address the historical limitations of RNAi therapies, which have primarily been restricted to liver-targeted applications.

CEO Alicia Secor emphasized the company's breakthrough, stating, "We have kind of cracked the code for delivering oligonucleotides effectively to the brain." This advancement could potentially revolutionize treatment options for a range of neurological disorders that have proven challenging for traditional pharmaceutical approaches.

Focus on Huntington's and Rare Epilepsy

Atalanta's lead programs target two significant neurological conditions:

1. ATL-101 for Huntington's disease: This therapy aims to silence the gene responsible for producing the huntingtin protein, which forms harmful clumps in neurons when misfolded. Secor highlighted the potential advantage of their approach, citing "sustained" and "deep brain penetration" as key differentiators from previous failed attempts by other companies.

2. ATL-201 for genetic epilepsy: Targeting the KCNT1 gene, this therapy addresses a form of epilepsy resistant to conventional anti-seizure medications. Preclinical data suggests ATL-201 may reduce seizure frequency in affected patients.

The company is also exploring applications in chronic pain and Alzheimer's disease, underscoring the broad potential of its RNAi platform in addressing unmet needs in neurology.

Financial Backing and Future Plans

The Series B round, co-led by EQT Life Sciences and Sanofi Ventures, attracted participation from seven other investors, including Novartis' venture arm. This latest funding brings Atalanta's total raised capital to approximately $260 million since its public launch four years ago, including upfront payments from partnerships with Biogen and Roche.

With a portfolio of ten programs in development, Atalanta is positioned at the forefront of a new generation of companies working to expand the reach of RNAi therapeutics beyond the liver. As the company prepares to transition its lead candidates into clinical trials, the pharmaceutical industry will be watching closely to see if Atalanta's approach can indeed overcome the obstacles that have hindered previous attempts to target the brain with RNAi therapies.