Irish Biotech Aerska Launches with $21M to Develop Brain-Targeted RNA Therapeutics

Aerska, a new biotechnology company headquartered in Dublin with research operations in London, has emerged on the pharmaceutical scene with a $21 million seed funding round. The company's mission is to revolutionize the delivery of genetic medicines to the brain, focusing initially on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Innovative "Brain Shuttle" Technology

Aerska's core technology revolves around the development of "brain shuttles" designed to transport antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates across the blood-brain barrier. This approach aims to overcome one of the most significant challenges in neuropharmacology: delivering therapeutic agents effectively to the central nervous system.

The company's precision medicine strategy integrates advanced RNA interference (RNAi) chemistry with receptor-mediated shuttling. This innovative platform positions Aerska at the forefront of CNS therapeutics, potentially offering new hope for patients with neurological disorders.

Leadership and Funding

Aerska is led by CEO Jack O'Meara, formerly of Ochre Biotech, and co-founded with Stuart Milstein, who brings experience from Alnylam's brain delivery program. The leadership team also includes David Coughlan as head of early development and Mike Perkinton, previously head of discovery for AstraZeneca Neuroscience, as head of research.

The $21 million seed funding round was co-led by Age1, Backed VC, and Speedinvest, with participation from a consortium of investors including Blueyard, Lingotto, Norrsken VC, Kerna, PsyMed, Saras, and Ada Ventures. This substantial initial investment underscores the industry's confidence in Aerska's approach and potential.

Addressing Unmet Needs in Neurological Diseases

"Neurological diseases remain one of the greatest challenges in medicine, with limited options to alter the course of disease," said O'Meara. "By integrating brain shuttles with RNA therapeutics, we aim to enable precise, durable gene silencing in the CNS."

Aerska's strategy extends beyond mere drug delivery, incorporating data science capabilities to identify and match interventions to the right patients at the appropriate stage of their disease. This personalized approach could significantly enhance the efficacy of treatments and improve patient outcomes.

The launch of Aerska comes at a time when the pharmaceutical industry is increasingly focused on overcoming the blood-brain barrier. Other companies, such as Denali Therapeutics and GSK, are also pursuing innovative approaches to CNS drug delivery, highlighting the competitive and rapidly evolving nature of this field.