TL;DR: Nura Bio Secures $68 Million to Advance Neuroprotective Therapies Targeting Neurological Diseases
Nura Bio has raised an additional $68 million in Series A funding, bringing its total to over $140 million, to develop neuroprotective treatments targeting SARM1, an enzyme linked to nerve cell death in diseases like ALS and glaucoma. Their lead drug, NB-4746, shows promise after Phase 1 studies and aims to preserve nerve structure and function, a groundbreaking approach to combating neurodegeneration.
• New funding supports clinical trials for NB-4746 and expands research into nerve damage and repair.
• Dr. Shilpa Sambashivan, now CEO, leads the transition from research to real-world impact.
• Innovative therapies like these may redefine care standards, holding potential to enhance longevity and brain health.
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Nura Bio has recently secured an additional $68 million in Series A funding, bolstering efforts to advance innovative neuroprotective therapies designed to combat devastating neurological diseases. This latest injection of capital brings the company’s total Series A fundraising to over $140 million and establishes strong momentum for the clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm headquartered in South San Francisco, California.
What Is Nura Bio’s Mission in Neuroprotective Medicine?
Nura Bio focuses on developing therapies aimed at halting nerve cell degeneration, particularly through targeting SARM1, an enzyme acting as a critical trigger for axon death, a mechanism linked to numerous neurological disorders. Axon degeneration is often overlooked yet plays a central role in neurodegenerative conditions like ALS, glaucoma, and diabetic neuropathy. The firm’s lead drug candidate, NB-4746, which inhibits SARM1, recently concluded its Phase 1 studies with promising results in healthy volunteers. These findings pave the way for mid-stage testing, with goals to assess the therapy’s effectiveness on patients suffering from specific neurological diseases.
The Importance of SARM1 and the Science Behind It
SARM1 (Sterile Alpha and TIR Motif-containing Protein 1) is known to accelerate axonal degeneration following injury or in disease progression. Nura Bio’s innovative approach of blocking this enzyme not only prevents progression but also offers the possibility of preserving nerve structure and functionality. Unlike traditional neurotherapeutics that focus on managing symptoms or late-stage protein accumulations like tau or amyloid-beta, targeting axon degeneration is a broader and upstream intervention to neurodegeneration itself.
This “structural protection mechanism,” as supported by SARM1 inhibition research, may prove to be a groundbreaking strategy in reshaping therapies for chronic neurological conditions.
$68 Million New Funding Breakdown
The fresh investment round for Nura Bio saw active participation from leading venture capital firms, including founding investor The Column Group, Samsara Bio Capital, Euclidean Capital, and pharmaceutical powerhouse Sanofi Ventures. These funds will be directed to advancing preclinical development pipelines, supporting the transition of NB-4746 into disease-specific trials, and expanding the company’s neuroimmune modulation strategies.
Shifting Leadership: Shilpa Sambashivan, Ph.D., as CEO
One of the most notable updates accompanying this funding is the appointment of Dr. Shilpa Sambashivan as CEO. Formerly the Chief Scientific Officer, Sambashivan was instrumental in driving the foundational science behind Nura Bio. Her leadership marks a new phase for the company as it bridges early scientific breakthroughs and clinical application, ensuring the advancements in brain-penetrating neuroprotective treatments meet their translational potential.
A Race Against Competitors in SARM1 Development
While Nura Bio is making noteworthy strides, competition remains steep among biotech firms pursuing SARM1-based therapies. Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has entered this space after acquiring Disarm Therapeutics, placing the race towards effective SARM1 inhibition in a high-stakes battle between emerging innovation and established pharmaceutical prowess.
What’s Next for Neuroprotective Medicine?
For 2025, the industry will be watching closely as Nura Bio prepares to launch Phase 1b/2 clinical trials for NB-4746 in a targeted patient population. Furthermore, their research pipeline remains active for exploring complementary neuroprotective mechanisms, particularly neuronal-glial responses to injury and degeneration.
Why Neuroprotection Matters for Longevity and Health Enthusiasts
Neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and MS represent a massive unmet need across global populations. Preventative and reparative approaches like Nura Bio’s offer a beacon of hope for delaying disease progression, preserving quality of life, and promoting longevity. These therapies could spark broader possibilities in how we understand long-term brain health beyond current standards.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nura Bio’s $68 Million Series A Funding and Neuroprotective Therapies
What is Nura Bio working to achieve with its recent $68 million funding?
Nura Bio is dedicated to creating innovative neuroprotective therapeutics targeting various neurological diseases. Their mission is to stop nerve cell degeneration by focusing on SARM1 (Sterile Alpha and TIR Motif-containing Protein 1), an enzyme that triggers axon death, a key factor in diseases like ALS, glaucoma, and diabetic neuropathy. With this additional $68 million, their total Series A funding rises to over $140 million. These funds will drive Nura Bio’s lead candidate, NB-4746, into Phase 1b/2 trials and expand their pipeline of neuroimmune modulation strategies aimed at preserving nerve health and function. Learn more about their progress on Nura Bio financing.
What is the significance of SARM1 in neurological diseases?
SARM1 is an enzyme that has emerged as a crucial trigger for axon degeneration, a process responsible for nerve damage after injury or during disease progression. By targeting this enzyme, Nura Bio focuses on an upstream intervention in neurodegeneration, which could preserve nerve structure and function, potentially preventing disease progression. SARM1 inhibition offers a broader therapeutic strategy compared to traditional treatments targeting late-stage protein accumulations, like amyloid-beta. Visit Neuro Startup and SARM1 Details for detailed insights.
Who are the major investors in Nura Bio?
The investors supporting Nura Bio’s mission include prominent venture capital firms. Leading the round is The Column Group, with participation from Samsara Bio Capital, Euclidean Capital, and new investor Sanofi Ventures. These firms underscore the biotech industry’s confidence in Nura Bio’s approach to combating neurodegenerative disorders. You can check the breakdown of this funding round on Pharmaceutical Technology.
What are the next steps for Nura Bio’s lead candidate, NB-4746?
NB-4746 is a small molecule brain-penetrant inhibitor of SARM1, aimed at preventing axonal degeneration. The drug successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials in healthy volunteers, showing safety and tolerability. The next steps involve Phase 1b/2 trials in 2025 with a focus on patients suffering from specific neurological diseases. If successful, this therapy could redefine how neurodegenerative diseases are treated. For a deeper dive into the drug’s progress, see details on Nura Bio Projects.
How does Nura Bio’s strategy differ from traditional neurotherapeutics?
Traditional neurotherapeutics often tackle symptoms or downstream effects of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyloid-beta protein accumulation. Nura Bio’s approach is unique, it addresses the upstream causes, such as axonal degeneration mediated by the SARM1 enzyme. This structural protection mechanism could potentially offer more comprehensive and long-lasting solutions for chronic neurological conditions. Discover more about their innovative approach on BioPharma Dive.
What is the role of the new CEO in Nura Bio’s advancement?
Dr. Shilpa Sambashivan, a founding team member and previous Chief Scientific Officer, has been appointed Nura Bio’s CEO. With her scientific background, she aims to bridge the firm’s research breakthroughs with clinical applications. Her leadership will be instrumental as Nura Bio transitions its neuroprotective therapies from early research to impactful patient treatments. For leadership updates, visit Nura’s Leadership Developments.
How does Nura Bio compare to competitors in the SARM1 development field?
While Nura Bio is at the forefront, it faces competition from established pharmaceutical players like Eli Lilly, which entered the field in 2020 by acquiring Disarm Therapeutics. This competitive landscape highlights the urgency and value of SARM1 inhibition in neurotherapeutics. Despite competition, Nura Bio’s strong funding and novel science provide it with a competitive edge. Check out Neurodegeneration Biotech Updates for comparisons.
Can Nura Bio’s research benefit those prioritizing brain health and longevity?
Yes, Nura Bio’s therapies aim to slow or prevent neurodegenerative diseases, offering a significant advancement for longevity and health. Conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s have shown limited progress in treatment efficacy, but therapies addressing axon degeneration open new pathways for brain health preservation. Follow updates on Biotech for Longevity.
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About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp’s expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
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Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
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Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
