Dublin-based Aerska, a biotechnology company specialising in the treatment of neurological diseases, announced its launch along with $21M (approximately €17.8M) in seed funding.
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The funding round was co-led by Age1, Backed VC and Speedinvest, with participation from Blueyard, Lingotto (Exor), Norrsken VC, Kerna, PsyMed and Ada Ventures.
The company is developing systemically administered RNA interference (RNAi) medicines designed to silence genes that drive brain diseases.
Aerska, named after a Gaelic proverb about “interdependence.”
What does Aerska solve?
Delivering genetic medicines to the brain has been difficult because of the blood-brain barrier.
While RNA interference (RNAi) works well in the liver, it hasn’t been very effective in the central nervous system (CNS) due to delivery challenges.
“GalNAc proved what RNAi can do when delivered to a specific tissue, and we’re now on the cusp of a similar leap forward in CNS medicine,” said Stu Milstein, who leads platform strategy at Aerska. “The velocity and ambition of this team is electric.”
Here’s where Aerska comes in and addresses the problem!
Aerska: Redefining neurological disease treatment
Founded by Jack O’Meara, Stuart Milstein and David Hardwicke, Aerska has developed an antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate (AOC) platform that uses “brain shuttles” to help deliver RNAi directly to the brain, allowing for better uptake by neurons and lasting gene knockdown.
“Neurological diseases remain one of the greatest challenges in medicine, with limited options to alter the course of disease,” said Jack O’Meara, CEO & Co-Founder, Aerska. “By integrating brain shuttles with RNA therapeutics, we aim to enable precise, durable gene silencing in the CNS; supported by technology to ensure patients get the right intervention for their stage of disease.”
By silencing the genes that cause harm, Aerska aims to preserve the minds, protect the memories, and enable our loved ones to live longer, healthier lives.
The company is also investing in data science to enhance its precision medicine approach in neurology, starting with programs aimed at genetic forms of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
“Delivery across the blood-brain barrier remains the bottleneck for genetic medicines in neurology,” says Alex Brunicki, Partner at Backed VC and Aerska board member. “Aerska’s platform integrates advanced RNAi chemistry with receptor-mediated shuttling and precision medicine, positioning the company at the forefront of CNS therapeutics.”
