New Entrants in Alzheimer’s: Korsana Raises $175M to Target the Blood-Brain Barrier

Korsana Biosciences raised $175 million to develop next-generation Alzheimer’s antibodies. Its lead candidate uses transferrin receptor targeting to cross the blood-brain barrier. The company plans to enter clinical trials in 2027.Several competitors are pursuing similar delivery strategies.

Funding a New Approach to Alzheimer’s Therapy

A new biotech entrant is joining the race to improve Alzheimer’s antibody therapies.

Korsana Biosciences has raised $175 million to develop antibodies capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier more effectively.

The funding includes:

• $150 million Series A

• $25 million seed financing

  
  

Investors include Wellington Management, TCGX, J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital, Sanofi Ventures, and Foresite Capital.

Targeting the Brain More Efficiently

Korsana’s lead program, KRSA-028, was developed with protein-engineering firm Paragon Therapeutics.

The antibody is designed to bind transferrin receptors, which normally transport iron into the brain. By exploiting this pathway, the therapy aims to deliver antibodies targeting amyloid-beta plaques more effectively.

The company plans to begin clinical trials in 2027, with:

• Initial safety data expected mid-year

• Proof-of-concept amyloid clearance data expected by year end

Addressing the ARIA Safety Challenge

One of the biggest risks in Alzheimer’s antibody therapy is ARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities), a potentially dangerous form of brain bleeding.

ARIA has been observed with first-generation therapies including:

• Aduhelm

• Kisunla

• Leqembi

Korsana is attempting to reduce this risk by modifying the antibody’s effector function, limiting macrophage activation that could damage blood vessels. Preclinical results suggest the approach may reduce off-target effects while preserving amyloid clearance.

Korsana also hopes its therapy could offer another advantage: subcutaneous injections instead of intravenous infusions, simplifying treatment for patients.

A Growing Field of Competitors

Several companies are pursuing similar blood-brain-barrier strategies.

• Roche is advancing trontinemab into phase 3 trials.

• Denali Therapeutics is developing DNL921, expected to enter phase 1 trials this year.

• AbbVie acquired a similar platform through its $1.4 billion purchase of Aliada Therapeutics.

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