Atalanta Therapeutics Secures $97 Million to Advance siRNA Therapies for Neurological Disorders

Atalanta Therapeutics has raised $97 million in a successful Series B financing round, which will support the initiation of clinical trials for the company’s small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapies targeting epilepsy and Huntington’s disease.
The oversubscribed funding round was co-led by EQT Life Sciences and Sanofi Ventures, with additional participation from existing backer F-Prime Capital. Several new investors also contributed, including Novartis Venture Fund, RiverVest Venture Partners, funds managed by abrdn, Pictet Alternative Advisors, Mirae Asset Financial Group, and the GHR Foundation.

Based in Boston, Atalanta plans to file investigational new drug (IND) applications this year with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These applications will seek approval to begin human trials for two of the company’s therapeutic candidates. Both are classified as divalent siRNA (di-siRNA), a technology designed to silence specific genes within the central nervous system.
One of these candidates, ATL-201, is being developed for KCNT1-related epilepsy, a rare genetic seizure disorder that typically begins in infancy or early childhood. This condition stems from mutations in the KCNT1 gene, which plays a critical role in brain function. Children with KCNT1-related epilepsy often experience severe and treatment-resistant seizures, as existing anti-seizure medications fail to adequately control the disorder. ATL-201 is designed to lower KCNT1 protein levels, which could help stabilize neuronal activity and reduce seizure frequency.
The second candidate, ATL-101, targets the HTT gene associated with Huntington’s disease. Huntington’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the HTT gene, leading to the production of toxic proteins that damage brain cells. By silencing the HTT gene, ATL-101 aims to address the underlying cause of the disease and slow its progression.

Since its inception in 2021, Atalanta Therapeutics has raised significant capital, including a $110 million Series A round. The company initially formed collaborations with Biogen and Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche. While the partnership with Genentech continues, Atalanta has regained full rights to two preclinical programs previously tied to its collaboration with Biogen.
The latest funding round marks a milestone for Atalanta, enabling the company to transition from preclinical research to clinical development. If successful, the therapies could address urgent unmet needs in neurological disorders such as KCNT1-related epilepsy and Huntington’s disease, offering hope to patients and families affected by these debilitating conditions.