Korsana Biosciences, developing treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, officially emerged from stealth on Wednesday. The company raised $175 million to expand its portfolio of drugs targeting neurodegenerative conditions.
It is developing KRSA-028, an antibody that targets amyloid beta build up in the brain. The startup hopes its drug can clear amyloid plaques like Eli Lilly’s Kisunla and Eisai-Biogen’s Leqembi, while avoiding side effects such as brain swelling and micro-bleeds.
Also working on KRSA-028 to help more of the drug reach the brain. Usually, very little medicine passes the blood-brain barrier, making treatments less effective, and giving higher doses can be unsafe.
Korsana Biosciences plans to use technology to deliver its drug with less frequent under-the-skin (subcutaneous) injections.This approach, similar to Leqembi, could make treatment easier for patients, unlike Kisunla, which is given only through intravenous infusions.
“Only two disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s have been approved, and both have safety warnings, limited effectiveness, and high care demands,” said Jonathan Violin. “Patients deserve better treatment options than what exists today.”
It aims to have proof-of-concept data for KRSA-028 by the end of 2027. The drug was developed by Paragon Therapeutics, a biotech that spins out companies focused on a single asset, with past including Apogee Therapeutics and Crescent Biopharma.
Korsana Biosciences is also working on two other drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. The company started in 2024 with $25 million from Fairmount and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners. Last September, its Series A round raised $150 million, led by Wellington Management and TCGX, with support from investors like J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital, Janus Henderson, Sanofi Ventures, and Foresite Capital.
It is focused on developing treatments for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. It led drug, KRSA-028, targets amyloid beta buildup in the brain. The company was founded in 2024 with backing from Fairmount and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, and raised $150 million in a Series A round last year. Jonathan Violin serves as CEO, bringing experience from Fairmount and Viridian Therapeutics.
Mansi Kadam is a market research writer with over 3 years of experience analyzing trends in the healthcare industry. At Towards Healthcare, she covers innovations in medical sector, sustainability initiatives, and the evolving regulatory landscape.
