Irish Biotech Aerska Raises $39M to Fight Brain Diseases

Jan de Vries · 2026-02-10

Here's some news that gives you hope. A Dublin-based biotech startup called Aerska just closed a major $39 million Series A funding round. They're working on something pretty incredible—using what they call 'brain shuttle' technology to deliver RNA medicines directly to the brain to treat neurological diseases. It's a big deal because treating the brain has always been one of medicine's toughest challenges. There's this protective barrier—the blood-brain barrier—that's great at keeping bad stuff out, but it also blocks most potential treatments. Aerska thinks they've found a way through. ### The Funding and The Backers The $39 million round was led by the EQT Dementia Fund and age1, with Iaso Ventures and existing investors also chipping in. This isn't their first rodeo either. When you add this to their earlier seed funding, they've now raised a total of $60 million since launching just last year. That's serious confidence from investors who specialize in this space. As part of the deal, Arno de Wilde from EQT, Philip Scheltens who heads the Dementia Fund, and Alex Colville from age1 are joining Aerska's board. ### Why This Technology Matters Let's break down what they're actually doing. Their platform creates something called antibody-oligo conjugates (AOCs). Think of them as tiny, targeted delivery trucks. The 'brain shuttle' is the navigation system that gets these RNAi therapeutics across that protective barrier and right to where the disease is happening. Here's what that means in practice: - It could allow for simpler treatments, like an IV drip or even an injection under the skin. - The medicine would spread evenly and deeply throughout the brain. - It's designed to 'silence' the specific genes that cause the damage in diseases like Alzheimer's. "The ability to systemically administer RNAi therapies to the brain unlocks a powerful new approach to treating neurodegeneration," said Jack O'Meara, Aerska's CEO and co-founder. He sees this as a path to meaningful therapies for genetically-driven forms of Alzheimer's and other disorders. ### A Bigger Trend in European Biotech Aerska's news isn't happening in a vacuum. It's part of a significant wave of investment in European neurological and central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics in 2025. Just look at these other recent raises: - Axoltis Pharma (Belgium/France) raised $21.5 million for ALS, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's work. - EpilepsyGTX (France) secured about $33.5 million for gene therapies targeting severe epilepsy. - UK-based TRIMTECH Therapeutics announced roughly $34.2 million to develop protein degrader therapies. Add it all up, and you're looking at nearly $107.5 million flowing into this specific sector in Europe this year alone. Investors are clearly betting big on platforms that can tackle the biology *and* the delivery challenges of brain diseases. Aerska stands out as one of the few Irish companies in this high-stakes cohort. ### The Human Impact This isn't just about science and money. It's about changing lives. Philip Scheltens from EQT's Dementia Fund put it well: "For families facing diseases like Alzheimer's, Aerska's approach offers hope for preserving cognitive function and quality of life." The goal isn't just to treat symptoms. It's to intervene earlier, target the genetic roots, and fundamentally alter the course of these devastating conditions. The team's mission statement says it all—they aim to preserve minds, protect memories, and enable our loved ones to live longer, healthier lives. It's a long road from a funding announcement to a treatment in a clinic, but this $39 million boost is a massive step forward. It gives Aerska the resources to push their groundbreaking platform toward becoming a reality for the patients and families who are waiting.