Aerska Raises $39M to Advance Brain RNA Therapies

The Dublin-based biotech Aerska has closed a $39 million Series A to advance its RNA-based therapies for neurological diseases. This takes the startup’s total funds to date to €50 million.

Aerska is developing RNA interference (RNAi) therapies that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier — a major hurdle in treating brain-related disorders. The company leverages its proprietary “brain shuttle” technology to transport its drugs across the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system (CNS).

The Series A was led by EQT Dementia Fund and age1, along with Iaso Ventures and existing investors. The funding will help Aerska advance its treatments closer to clinical trials, especially for genetic forms of Alzheimer’s and other brain disorders.

The company wants to develop medicines that preserve memory and enhance quality of life, said Jack O’Meara, the chief executive and a co-founder. The ability to send RNA therapies directly to the brain provides a powerful new way in which you could treat neurodegenerative diseases, he added.

Aerska is one of several European firms to have now raised money for CNS-focused therapies. Other biotechs like Axoltis Pharma, EpilepsyGTX and TRIMTECH Therapeutics also have raised millions in 2025 to develop therapies for ALS, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.

Aerska’s differentiator is its antibody-oligo conjugate (AOC) platform, which makes it possible to administer RNA medicines through an IV or injection and still deploy them deep in the brain. This might result in better and longer treatments.

Philip Scheltens of EQT Life Sciences said Aerska’s science is giving families affected by diseases such as Alzheimers real hope. He lauded the company’s approach of aiming to prevent diseases from taking root early and addressing them at their genetic roots.

As a part of the investment, EQT and age1 team members will join Aerska’s board to assist in the next stage of growth.