Neumirna Therapeutics, a Danish biotech company focused on RNA-based therapies, has secured €20 million in Series A funding to initiate clinical trials for its lead drug candidate, NMT.001, targeting drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). The funding round was co-led by Angelini Ventures and Invivo Partners, with participation from Innovestor’s Life Science Fund.
Advancing NMT.001 for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
NMT.001, developed with the help of researchers at FutureNeuro, the Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science, has demonstrated significant promise in preclinical studies. According to Neumirna, these studies showed "unprecedented efficacy" in animal models of DRE, suggesting the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life. The company's drug discovery platform also supports the development of RNA therapies for other neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease.
Collaboration with FutureNeuro
FutureNeuro played a crucial role in the preclinical development of NMT.001, building on the center's foundational work in RNA therapies. Prof David Henshall, FutureNeuro’s director, highlighted the importance of industry-academia collaboration in translating early-stage research into tangible therapies. "The discovery of the link between the microRNA gene and epilepsy originated here at RCSI, and through the FutureNeuro Centre, we partnered with Neumirna to identify the most promising drug candidate," he stated.
RNA-Based Approach to Neurological Disorders
Neumirna's approach involves leveraging microRNA-targeted drugs to address the underlying causes of diseases like epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. Thomas Thestrup, a senior principal at Angelini Ventures, noted that Neumirna is breaking new ground in the field by targeting microRNAs. The company's RNA-based platform offers a novel approach to treating neurological disorders, potentially providing more effective and targeted therapies.
The recent Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNAs underscores the growing recognition of the importance of RNA in biology and medicine.
