- Leal Therapeutics is developing first-in-class therapeutics to correct metabolic imbalances in the brain for treatment of high unmet need CNS disorders
- Financing advances LTX-001 through clinical efficacy data in schizophrenia patients, LTX-002 through initial clinical data in ALS, and progresses additional pipeline programs
WORCESTER, Mass., Aug. 27, 2025 / PRNewswire / - Leal Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics for patients with disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), today announced a $30 million Series A financing. The round was led by SV Health Investors' Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF), in addition to existing investors OrbiMed, Newpath Partners, Chugai Venture Fund, Euclidean Capital, Alexandria Venture Investments, and PhiFund.
Leal's approach is rooted in the core principle that correcting metabolic imbalances in the brain is key to the development of effective therapies for patients living with neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative disorders. This approach is supported by extensive human genetics, human biomarker, and preclinical model data. Leal's lead program, LTX-001, is a clinical-stage, first-in-class brain-penetrant oral small molecule targeting excessive glutamate by inhibiting the mitochondrial enzyme glutaminase, for patients with psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder as well as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Data from an initial clinical study of LTX-001 support safety and effective target engagement. Leal is also developing LTX-002, a near-clinical stage antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) for patients with genetic or sporadic ALS. LTX-002 targets the de novo synthesis of ceramides/sphingolipids by inhibiting the first and rate-limiting enzyme in this pathway, SPT, and more specifically the SPTLC1 subunit. Excessive ceramides/sphingolipids are implicated in ALS and other neurodegenerative disorders. Leal is also developing LTX-007, a small molecule inhibitor of SPT, for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, ALS and inherited sphingolipidoses. In addition to the programs above, Leal is advancing next-generation technology to optimize delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics to the CNS through the blood brain barrier (BBB) using antibody-like shuttles.
Proceeds from the Series A financing will be used to advance LTX-001 through a clinical trial in schizophrenia patients, as well as progress LTX-002 through initial clinical data in ALS. "This financing enables us to further progress our first-in-class neuro-metabolic pipeline to clinical data for patients with severe unmet needs," said Asa Abeliovich, M.D., Ph.D., founder and chief executive officer of Leal. "We're grateful to our new and existing investors for their shared commitment to advancing this work."
In connection with the financing, Christian Jung, Ph.D., Partner at SV Health Investors, joined Leal's board of directors. "Leal is advancing promising and highly differentiated programs for CNS disorders with a clear clinical strategy and a uniquely qualified team," said Dr. Jung. "We believe the company is well-positioned to make significant strides in the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. We're proud to support Leal as they take this next critical step."
About Leal Therapeutics:
Leal Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel neuro-metabolic therapeutics for patients with high-need central nervous system disorders. Leal was launched in 2021 and is headquartered in Worcester, Mass. Leal's lead programs address the critical intersection between CNS and metabolic disorders. The Leal team has particular expertise in CNS therapeutic development, as well as leveraging human genetics, functional genomics and biomarker analyses to support our mission. Leal has the technological capability to develop and produce small molecule as well as nucleic acid CNS therapeutics at scale.
About SV Health Investors' Dementia Discovery Fund
SV Health Investors' Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF) is the world's largest family of specialized venture capital funds that invests exclusively in companies developing or enabling novel therapeutics for dementia. Dementias including Alzheimer's Disease are arguably the largest unmet medical need with over 55m patients worldwide. With more than $600m raised for this strategy, and offices in London and Boston, DDF capitalizes on global investment opportunities to fulfill its dual mandate of delivering measurable impact and generating significant financial returns. Utilizing its network of venture partners, entrepreneurs, leading scientists, and strategic partners, DDF invests in and creates new biotech companies and provides thought leadership in the field. DDF is enabled by its cornerstone investors AARP, the British Business Bank and Gates Frontier, as well as additional limited partners, including major pharmaceutical companies and leading non-profits. For more information, please visit https://svhealthinvestors.com/....
About SV Health Investors
SV Health Investors is a leading healthcare fund manager committed to investing in tomorrow's healthcare breakthroughs. The SV funds invest across stages, geographic regions, and sectors, with expertise spanning biotechnology, dementia, medical devices, healthcare growth and healthcare technology. With more than $2bn in assets under management, and historical commitments in excess of $4bn, SV has built an extensive network of talented investment professionals and experienced industry veterans and a truly transatlantic presence with offices in London and Boston. Since its founding in 1993, SV has invested in, created and built more than 200 companies attracting global talent, entrepreneurs and pharma partners. To date, these investments have resulted in the licensing of 28 novel drugs and six new drug classes able to treat indications with unmet medical needs and deliver positive impact to patients. For more information, please visit https://svhealthinvestors.com.
Media contact:
Tehya Frank
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SOURCE Leal Therapeutics
