DUBLIN: Irish biotechnology start-up Aerska has secured $21 million (€18 million) in seed funding to accelerate the development of RNA-based therapies targeting degenerative neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The funding round was co-led by venture firms Backed VC and Age1, with additional support from Blueyard, Lingotto, Kerna Ventures, Norrsken, and Speedinvest. The investment will support Aerska’s expansion in Dublin and London and fast-track its drug discovery efforts.
Founded by Jack O’Meara, Dave Hardwicke, and Stu Milstein, Aerska is pioneering a platform that uses RNA interference (RNAi) to silence disease-causing genes. Its antibody-oligo conjugate (AOC) technology employs “brain shuttles” to deliver RNAi therapies across the blood-brain barrier, a major obstacle in treating central nervous system disorders.
“RNA medicine is a newer, more advanced kind of medicine that very specifically turns off misbehaving genes,” said O’Meara, Aerska’s chief executive. “We have a system to elegantly deliver RNA into cells and shut down overactive genes driving disease.”
The company is also investing in data science to support a precision medicine strategy, aiming to match therapies to patients at the optimal stage of disease progression.
Hardwicke emphasized the transatlantic nature of the venture, noting the blend of American entrepreneurial culture with European biotech ambition. “We wanted to bring some of that energy to Ireland and the UK,” he said.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke praised the initiative, calling Aerska’s growth “a perfect example of how Irish scientists and entrepreneurs are building solutions to some of the greatest health challenges of our time.”
Aerska is actively engaging with Ireland’s academic and research institutions to foster collaboration and strengthen its innovation pipeline.