Aerska Secures $21 Million Seed Round to Advance RNAi Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Irish biotechnology startup Aerska has secured $21 million in seed funding to accelerate its pioneering work in RNA interference (RNAi) medicines aimed at treating degenerative brain diseases. The Dublin-based company, which also operates in London, will use the funding to advance next-generation genetic medicine programmes targeting conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
The seed round was co-led by Age1, a longevity-focused investment firm, Backed VC, which invests in early-stage tech and biotech companies, and Speedinvest, a European venture firm with a strong track record in health-tech and deep science. Additional participation came from investors including Blueyard Capital, Lingotto (Exor), Norrsken VC, Kerna, PsyMed, and Ada Ventures.
Aerska was founded in 2025 by biotech veterans Jack O’Meara, Stuart Milstein, and David Hardwicke, bringing expertise in RNA medicines, central nervous system (CNS) drug discovery, and clinical development platforms. The company’s mission is to tackle some of the most debilitating neurological conditions by using RNA interference to silence disease-causing genes in the brain—overcoming the historical challenge of delivering genetic drugs across the blood-brain barrier.
Traditional RNAi therapies have shown success in tissues like the liver, but reaching neurons within the CNS has been difficult. Aerska’s proprietary technology integrates antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) with “brain shuttle” delivery systems, allowing systemic transport of RNAi molecules into brain tissue for targeted gene silencing and long-lasting effects. This approach combines advanced RNA chemistry with receptor-mediated transport mechanisms to address neurological diseases at a genetic level.
The company plans to use the $21 million to expand development efforts, build out precision medicine and data science capabilities, and accelerate progression of lead programmes toward clinical candidate nomination. Aerska’s initial pipeline focuses on genetic forms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, where early intervention and targeted gene silencing could alter disease progression and patient outcomes.
Aerska’s leadership emphasizes that integrating precision medicine strategies with RNAi delivery could not only treat symptoms but also modify the underlying mechanisms driving neurodegeneration. By tailoring interventions to specific patients and disease stages, the company aims to develop therapies that are both effective and personalised.
The involvement of investors such as Age1, Backed VC, and Speedinvest reflects strong confidence from longevity-focused and deep-tech venture capital communities in the promise of gene-targeting therapeutics for CNS disorders. Strategic investors like Blueyard Capital and Norrsken VC further validate Aerska’s scientific platform and business model, supporting its efforts at the intersection of biotechnology, computational biology, and next-generation therapeutics.
As Aerska transitions from stealth mode to active development, it joins a growing cohort of biotech startups addressing the challenges of CNS genetic medicine delivery. The company’s founders, each with decades of experience in RNA therapeutics and neuroscience, are positioning Aerska to advance the frontier of treatments for brain diseases, which remain among the most difficult to address with existing pharmacological and biologic therapies.
Aerska’s name, derived from a Gaelic term reflecting interdependence and collective strength, mirrors its collaborative approach to innovation. With the newly secured seed capital, the company plans to build multidisciplinary teams, forge strategic partnerships, and advance its first programmes toward clinical milestones. This positions it at the forefront of next-generation biotech efforts focused on unlocking the therapeutic potential of RNAi in the central nervous system—a frontier long constrained by biological delivery barriers.
Overall, Aerska’s $21 million seed round represents a major step forward in CNS drug development. By aligning a seasoned leadership team with a diverse investor base and a bold scientific platform, the company is poised to make meaningful progress toward solutions for some of the most pressing unmet needs in neurological health.
