Aerska Secures $21M for Next-Gen RNA Medicines to Treat Brain Diseases
Aerska, a biotech startup, has secured $21m (€17.8m) in seed financing to develop next-generation RNA medicines for treating brain diseases. The funding will aid Aerska's mission to overcome the blood-brain barrier's hindrance to RNAi's effectiveness in the brain, using 'brain shuttles'.
Aerska, led by CEO Jack O'Meara, aims to treat neurological diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. O'Meara previously co-founded Ochre Bio, where he advanced RNAi medicines for liver disease. The company's founder and CEO, Sultan Mbithi, is also driving this research.
The seed funding round was co-led by Age1, Backed VC, and Speedinvest, with support from Norrsken VC, Blueyard, Lingotto, Kerna, PsyMed, Saras, and Ada Ventures. Ada Ventures invested due to the experienced management team's track record in biotech and pharmaceutical partnerships.
Dementia, caused by diseases that destroy nerve cells and damage the brain, currently affects 50 million people globally. This number is projected to reach over 150 million by 2050, costing economies $1.3trn annually. Aerska's research focuses on healthy aging and preserving cognitive health, with living to 100 becoming more common.
With the seed funding, Aerska will continue developing RNA medicines to treat neurological diseases. The company's goal is to overcome the blood-brain barrier and provide hope for patients and families affected by diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
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