The British Business Bank has poured £8 million into NRG Therapeutics, a UK based neuroscience firm, as part of a £50 million Series B funding round announced on September 8, 2025. This investment aims to speed up new treatments for tough diseases like ALS, MND, and Parkinson’s by focusing on mitochondrial health.
Funding Round Breakdown
This Series B round drew strong support from top investors. It was led by SV Health Investors Dementia Discovery Fund, with fresh backing from M Ventures, Novartis Venture Fund, and Criteria Bio Ventures. Existing investors Omega Funds and Brandon Capital also joined in.
The total £50 million will help NRG push its lead drug, NRG5051, into human trials. This comes at a key time when neurodegenerative diseases affect millions worldwide. For context, Parkinson’s alone impacts over 10 million people globally, according to recent World Health Organization data, and cases are rising with aging populations.
NRG has raised funds before. In 2022, it secured £16 million in Series A to build its mitochondrial focused pipeline. This new round builds on that success and shows growing trust in the company’s approach.
NRG’s Innovative Approach to Brain Diseases
NRG Therapeutics targets mitochondrial dysfunction, a core issue in diseases like ALS, MND, and Parkinson’s. Their drugs block a harmful process in mitochondria, the cell’s powerhouses, to protect brain cells from damage.
The lead candidate, NRG5051, is an oral pill that has shown promise in lab tests. It reduces brain inflammation and saves neurons in animal models. Pre clinical studies wrapped up, paving the way for trials starting in early 2026.
This work stands out because current treatments for these diseases mostly ease symptoms, not stop progression. NRG aims to change that with disease modifying therapies.
Experts note that mitochondrial issues link to many brain disorders. Recent studies from institutions like the National Institutes of Health highlight how fixing these could lead to breakthroughs.
- Key diseases targeted: ALS/MND and Parkinson’s.
- Mechanism: Inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition pore to prevent cell death.
- Potential: Could slow or halt disease advance, unlike symptom only drugs.
Impact on Patients and Healthcare
Millions suffer from neurodegenerative conditions, with ALS claiming lives quickly after diagnosis. In the US alone, about 30,000 people live with ALS, per the latest ALS Association figures from 2025. Parkinson’s costs economies billions in care each year.
NRG’s progress could offer hope. If successful, these therapies might improve quality of life and cut healthcare burdens. The funding will support proof of concept trials, gathering data on safety and effectiveness in real patients.
This investment fits broader trends. Global funding for brain health startups hit record highs in 2025, driven by aging societies and tech advances. For instance, similar efforts in the US secured over $1 billion this year for ALS research.
| Milestone | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Series A Funding | 2022 | £16 million raised for initial drug development. |
| Innovate UK Award | 2022 | £2.68 million grant for preclinical work on Parkinson’s and MND. |
| Parkinson’s UK Investment | 2021 | £490,000 to advance drug discovery. |
| Series B Funding | 2025 | £50 million, including £8 million from British Business Bank. |
| Clinical Trials Start | 2026 | First human tests for NRG5051 in ALS/MND. |
Voices from the Deal
NRG’s CEO, Dr. Neil Miller, called the funding a game changer. He stressed the need for new drugs amid rising disease rates in older populations.
British Business Bank leaders echoed this. Their chief investment officer highlighted the push to grow UK life sciences into global leaders. This marks their 16th direct investment in the sector.
New board members from the investors will guide NRG toward clinical success. Their expertise in drug development and biotech could prove vital.
Looking Ahead
With this cash infusion, NRG plans to expand its pipeline beyond ALS and Parkinson’s. They aim to tackle other brain conditions tied to mitochondrial problems.
Trials will focus on ALS first, with Parkinson’s data to follow. Success here could attract more funding and partnerships.
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