Aerska, a Dublin-based BioTech firm aiming to redefine the remedy of neurological illnesses, as we speak introduced it has raised €17 million in Seed financing to develop systemically administered RNA interference (RNAi) medicines designed to silence genes that drive mind illnesses.
The spherical was co-led by Age1, Backed VC and Speedinvest, with participation from Blueyard, Lingotto (Exor), Norrsken VC, Kerna, PsyMed and Ada Ventures.
“Neurological illnesses stay one of many biggest challenges in medication, with restricted choices to change the course of illness,” stated Jack O’Meara, CEO & Co-founder, Aerska. “By integrating mind shuttles with RNA therapeutics, we purpose to allow exact, sturdy gene silencing within the CNS; supported by expertise to make sure sufferers get the correct intervention for his or her stage of illness.”
Aerska was based in 2025 by Jack O’Meara, Stuart Milstein and David Hardwicke and is launching with a management staff with deep experience in RNA medicines, CNS drug discovery, and medical product improvement.
Aerska, named after a Gaelic proverb about “interdependence”, is headquartered in Dublin with analysis operations in London.
It’s a BioTech firm pioneering RNA medicines to deal with, delay, and forestall illnesses of the mind. The corporate is leveraging advances in ‘mind shuttles’ to allow focused supply of next-generation RNAi therapeutics to the CNS.
By silencing the genes that trigger hurt, Aerska goals to protect the minds, defend the recollections, and allow our family members to reside longer, more healthy lives.
“Supply throughout the blood-brain barrier stays the bottleneck for genetic medicines in neurology,” stated Alex Brunicki, Associate at Backed VC and Aerska board member. “Aerska’s platform integrates superior RNAi chemistry with receptor-mediated shuttling and precision medication, positioning the corporate on the forefront of CNS therapeutics.”
The corporate explains that delivering genetic medicines to the mind has lengthy been hindered by the blood-brain barrier. Whereas RNAi has confirmed efficient within the liver, its potential impression within the CNS has been restricted by supply.
Via exterior partnerships and inner innovation, Aerska’s antibody-oligo conjugate (AOC) platform makes use of “mind shuttles” to allow systemic RNAi supply, neuronal uptake, and sturdy gene knockdown within the mind. As well as, the corporate is making focused investments in knowledge science capabilities to advance a precision medication technique for neurology, beginning with programmes in genetic types of Alzheimer’s illness and Parkinson’s illness.
“GalNAc proved what RNAi can do when delivered to a particular tissue and we’re now on the cusp of the same leap ahead in CNS medication,” stated Stu Milstein, who leads platform technique at Aerska. “The speed and ambition of this staff is electrical.”