Neumirna Therapeutics, a Danish biotechnology company specialising in the use of RNA for the development of next-generation therapies for neurological disorders, reports that it has completed the first closing of its financing round 20 million Euro Series A. The investment was co-led by new investors, Angelini Ventures and Invivo Partners, with significant participation from Neumirna’s initial backer, Innovestor’s Life Science Fund and other existing investors.
Neumirna, founded with the aim of revolutionising the treatment paradigms for neurological diseases, is at the forefront of RNA-based experimentation, which exploits the potential of microRNAs, small regulatory RNAs that, although they do not code for proteins, play a key role in gene expression. This emerging class of drugs promises to change the course of complex and hitherto difficult-to-treat diseases. Thanks to its innovative platform, Neumirna is able to develop microRNA-directed therapies to treat conditions that have so far lacked effective treatments, such as drug-resistant epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease, offering new hope to patients suffering from these debilitating diseases. The fundamental role of microRNAs was further recognised internationally in 2024 with the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to scientists who discovered and characterised these small but powerful regulators of gene expression.
Neumirna has developed a molecule, NMT.001, which in animal models is showing promising results in counteracting epilepsy resistant to existing drug treatments. NMT.001, the company’s lead therapeutic candidate, is an antisense oligonucleotide, a synthetic molecule designed to modulate the activity of a specific microRNA, which plays a key role in the regulation of gene expression. Specifically, NMT.001 was developed to interact with microRNA 134, a specific non-coding RNA sequence involved in the regulation of genes associated with drug-resistant forms of epilepsy. In several preclinical studies, the action of NMT.001 resulted in a strong reduction in spontaneous or pharmacologically induced epileptic seizures: a result that highlights the molecule’s potential to significantly improve the treatment of the condition and the quality of life of patients.
Currently, there are no approved drugs using antisense technology to modulate microRNAs, making Neumirna’s platform a highly innovative approach. The company is also exploring the application of this technology to the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, thus expanding the therapeutic possibilities offered by its pipeline.
With the new funds, Neumirna intends to strengthen research and development, enhance its platform, and advance the development of NMT.001, taking it to the next crucial steps towards clinical entry. This funding round marks a pivotal moment for Neumirna to advance towards its goal of providing life-changing therapies to patients in need.
“This important funding testifies to the innovative potential of our microRNA-based platform and our lead development candidate, NMT.001,” Janine Erler, CEO of Neumirna Therapeutics, said in a note. “We are thrilled to have the support of leading international investors who share our aspiration to address the unmet needs of patients with neurological disorders. This funding is essential to bring NMT.001 to clinical trial and to advance the development of our drug candidate.”
“As lead co-investors, we are proud to support Neumirna in its mission to harness the potential of RNA-based therapies to treat epilepsy and other complex neurological disorders,” says Thomas Thestrup, senior principal at Angelini Ventures (pictured), “Neumirna is breaking new ground in the field by developing microRNA-based drugs to target the triggers of diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s. With our strong focus on nervous system disorders and commitment to advancing innovative treatments for epilepsy, we are delighted to partner with Neumirna’s management on this journey to develop revolutionary solutions that can improve the lives of patients globally.”
“Investing in Neumirna represents a unique opportunity to support a pioneering company in the development of RNA technology to treat neurological disorders,” says Luis Pareras, managing partner of Invivo Partners. “As a neurosurgeon, I am deeply impressed by the innovative approach and results of NMT.001. The possibility of offering an innovative solution for patients with refractory or drug-resistant forms of epilepsy, a devastating condition, is extremely encouraging”.
Luis Pareras and Thomas Thestrup were both appointed members of the Board of Directors, on which Milla Koistinaho, of Innovestor’s Life Science Fund, and Henrik Klitgaard, scientific co-founder of Neumirna Therapeutics, already sit.
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