Jocasta Neuroscience Raises $35M in Series A Funding Round

Jocasta Neuroscience has raised $35m in a Series A funding round. The company is focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The funding will be used to support the advancement of Jocasta's pipeline and further develop its technology.

Jocasta Neuroscience, a preclinical stage biotech company, has secured $35 million in Series A funding to advance its proprietary a-Klotho protein therapeutic for managing cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative diseases. The investment round was led by early-stage venture capital firm True Ventures and joined by other strategic investors, including Moore Strategic Ventures, SC8 Investments, Glentura, and Yagan Family Foundation [1].

The funding will support the development of Jocasta's lead asset, JN-0413, through Phase 1 development, including Single Ascending Dose and Multiple Ascending Dose studies, with an IND submission slated for Q4 2026 [1]. The original technology was developed at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) by Dr. Dena Dubal, MD, PhD, and licensed to Unity Biotechnology, Inc., before being acquired by Jocasta Neuroscience [1].

"We were gratified by the exceptional investor interest during our raise and are delighted by the composition of the syndicate," said Albert Agro, PhD, CEO of Jocasta Neuroscience. "The team's deep expertise in both the science and clinical realities of aging gives them a unique advantage in translating this research into meaningful interventions for neurodegenerative disease" [1].

Jocasta Neuroscience is focused on developing a-Klotho protein formulations to address cognitive decline linked to neurodegenerative diseases. The company's foundational data demonstrates the critical role of a-Klotho in health and disease, with robust cognitive enhancement shown in multiple species and cognitive tasks [1]. Clinical trials evaluating the effect of Jocasta's proprietary a-Klotho formulation are planned to begin in the next 18 months [1].

In a separate development, the Parkinson’s Foundation has announced an investment of more than $4.3 million for 44 grants to accelerate cutting-edge Parkinson’s disease (PD) research. This investment aims to bring forward new therapies and treatments for PD, which affects 10 million people worldwide [2].

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: AMLX), another biotech company in the neurodegenerative disease space, reported a 43.1% reduced Q2 2025 net loss, extending its cash runway to $180.8 million through 2026. The company's AMX0035 drug, targeting ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, showed promising Phase 2 results in Wolfram syndrome and is advancing to Phase 3 trials for PSP [3].

References:
[1] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jocasta-neuroscience-lands-35-million-series-a-to-advance-longevity-protein-program-for-managing-cognitive-impairment-302527795.html
[2] https://www.parkinson.org/about-us/news/2025-research-grants
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/amylyx-pharmaceuticals-strategic-progress-neurodegenerative-therapies-path-long-term-2508/