Nilo Therapeutics secures $101 million to develop neural circuit-targeted immuno-modulatory therapies
Nilo Therapeutics has launched with $101 million in Series A financing to develop therapies that target the brain’s control of immune responses, marking a significant departure from conventional approaches to autoimmune and inflammatory disease treatment. The funding round, led by The Column Group, DCVC Bio, and Lux Capital, with participation from the Gates Foundation and Alexandria Venture Investments, will advance the company’s preclinical programmes based on discoveries identifying specific vagal neurons as master regulators of systemic inflammation.
Brain-immune axis as therapeutic target
The company’s scientific foundation rests on discoveries from Charles Zuker’s laboratory at Columbia University, which identified specific vagal neurons capable of regulating systemic immune activation and inflammation. Rather than employing conventional immunosuppressive strategies, Nilo’s approach targets these central “master regulator” brain-body circuits to modulate multiple immune pathways simultaneously. This mechanism could reduce therapeutic resistance whilst broadening applicability across diverse autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
The scientific premise draws upon expertise from three distinguished researchers: Charles Zuker (Columbia University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute), Ruslan Medzhitov (Yale University), and Steve Liberles (Harvard University). Their collaborative work in neuro-immunology forms the basis for Nilo’s drug discovery programmes, which aim to restore immune homeostasis through central nervous system intervention rather than peripheral immune suppression.
Leadership with extensive commercialisation experience
Nilo has appointed Kim Seth as Chief Executive Officer, bringing over 25 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience. Seth previously served as Chief Business Officer at Repare Therapeutics, where he contributed to the company’s growth from pre-Series A through initial public offering. At Repare, he established US business operations and secured over $250 million through strategic partnerships representing more than $4 billion in potential value. His background includes leadership positions at Pfizer and research analysis at Goldman Sachs, complemented by academic credentials from Harvard College and Harvard University’s Division of Medical Sciences.
Seth joins Chief Scientific Officer Laurens Kruidenier, whose career spans multiple successful drug development programmes. Kruidenier previously held CSO positions at Cellarity and Prometheus Biosciences (acquired by Merck), advancing therapies from discovery through clinical development. His earlier work at Takeda Pharmaceuticals and GSK encompassed preclinical research leadership and business development strategy.
Research infrastructure and development timeline
The Series A financing will support establishment of laboratory facilities in New York City and expansion of Nilo’s interdisciplinary research team. The company is currently advancing preclinical programmes, though specific timelines for investigational new drug applications were not disclosed in the announcement.
“Kim’s leadership and experience will accelerate our mission to translate breakthrough neuro-immunology into medicines that could benefit patients across a broad range of immune-driven diseases,” said Kruidenier.
Tim Kutzkey, Managing Partner at The Column Group, emphasised Seth’s track record: “With a track record of guiding companies from their earliest stages through IPO, and successfully advancing programmes, Kim brings both breadth and vision.”
The neuro-immunology approach represents a departure from targeted biologics and small-molecule inhibitors that have dominated recent autoimmune disease therapeutics. Success in clinical translation would require demonstrating both efficacy and safety in modulating central neural circuits without disrupting essential autonomic functions.
For more information, visit: www.nilotx.com
