Atalanta Therapeutics Secures $97 Million Series B to Advance RNAi Therapies for Neurological Disorders

Boston-based Atalanta Therapeutics has successfully closed a $97 million Series B financing round, positioning the company to push forward with its innovative RNA interference (RNAi) therapies targeting neurological disorders. The funding, co-led by EQT Life Sciences and Sanofi Ventures, will support the advancement of Atalanta's lead candidates into clinical trials, focusing on treatments for Huntington's disease and a rare form of epilepsy.

Groundbreaking RNAi Technology Targets the Central Nervous System

Atalanta's proprietary di-siRNA platform aims to overcome historical challenges in delivering oligonucleotide therapies to the brain. The company's approach links two small interfering RNA molecules, designed to enhance persistence and penetration into brain tissue while minimizing potential toxicity issues.

"We have kind of cracked the code for delivering oligonucleotides effectively to the brain," stated Alicia Secor, Atalanta's President and CEO. This technological advancement could potentially open new avenues for treating a range of neurological conditions that have long eluded effective therapies.

Clinical Trial Pipeline: Huntington's Disease and KCNT1-Related Epilepsy

Atalanta plans to submit Investigational New Drug (IND) applications this year for two lead candidates:

1. ATL-101: Targeting the HTT gene in Huntington's disease patients, this therapy aims to reduce the production of the huntingtin protein, which forms toxic clumps in neurons when misfolded.

2. ATL-201: Designed to treat KCNT1-related epilepsy, a severe early-onset seizure disorder resistant to current anti-seizure medications. The therapy targets the KCNT1 gene to potentially reduce seizure frequency.

Secor emphasized the potential of these therapies, particularly for Huntington's disease: "Nothing's really worked, but nothing's really done what we are showing the ability to do."

Expanding Research and Collaborations

Founded by Nobel Laureate Craig Mello and two other University of Massachusetts researchers, Atalanta has now raised a total of $262 million since its launch four years ago. The company's pipeline includes ten programs in development, with additional preclinical assets targeting Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

While Atalanta maintains its collaboration with Roche's Genentech, the partnership with Biogen is no longer active. The company has regained full rights to two preclinical programs previously part of the Biogen collaboration.

As RNAi therapies continue to gain traction in the pharmaceutical industry, Atalanta's progress represents a significant step forward in addressing complex neurological disorders. The coming months will be crucial as the company prepares to transition its lead candidates from preclinical research into human trials, potentially offering new hope for patients with limited treatment options.