The British Business Bank (BBB) has announced an £8 million investment into NRG Therapeutics Ltd., a pioneering neuroscience company developing novel therapies for severe neurodegenerative conditions, as part of a £50 million Series B funding round.
The financing was led by SV Health Investors’ Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF), with participation from M Ventures, Novartis Venture Fund, and Criteria Bio Ventures, alongside existing backers Omega Funds and Brandon Capital.
NRG Therapeutics is advancing treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/motor neurone disease (MND) and Parkinson’s disease by targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, a key driver of neurodegeneration.
The company has developed a new class of small molecule mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) inhibitors, designed to protect mitochondria from toxic proteins linked to ALS/MND and Parkinson’s, and preserve neurons in pre-clinical models.
Its lead candidate, NRG5051, has shown profound neuroprotective effects and reduced neuroinflammation in pre-clinical studies. Having completed IND-enabling work, NRG5051 is expected to enter first-in-human clinical trials in early 2026.
The Series B financing will enable NRG to generate clinical proof of concept in ALS/MND while also collecting meaningful data in Parkinson’s patients.
Dr Neil Miller, co-founder and CEO of NRG Therapeutics, said the raise would accelerate the company’s mission to provide new hope for patients and families affected by devastating neurological diseases: “Developing new drugs to treat neurological diseases is very challenging but is receiving increased interest given the high unmet medical need and growing prevalence in ageing populations. These new funds provide the runway to advance our lead programme through proof of concept in ALS/MND, and to expand our portfolio for other indications including Parkinson’s.”
Leandros Kalisperas, Chief Investment Officer at the British Business Bank, said backing NRG underscored the Bank’s focus on scaling UK life sciences breakthroughs: “We seek to back the best of UK life sciences, helping to turn breakthrough research into world-leading, fully commercial companies. Like many of our life sciences investments, our investment in NRG Therapeutics is especially rewarding because it has the potential to help solve one of the world’s largest healthcare challenges.”
Emma Johnson, Senior Investment Manager at the Bank, added: “We are pleased to join NRG on this next phase of development as they progress their novel therapy with disease-modifying potential into the clinic. This makes them the 16th life sciences direct investment for the British Business Bank, complementing our existing portfolio of breakthrough innovations.”
In association with the Series B raise, Emma Johnson (British Business Bank), Laurence Barker (SV Health Investors), Charlotte Kremers (M Ventures) and Florian Muellershausen (Novartis Venture Fund) will join NRG’s board of directors, bringing additional expertise as the company transitions toward clinical development.
