Cerebral Therapeutics Secures $11 Million Series A Funding to Advance Implantable Therapy for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that biopharmaceutical company Cerebral Therapeutics recently completed an $11 million Series A financing round. The funds will be used to develop treatments for refractory epilepsy, submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and initiate Phase 2 clinical trials.

The investors in this round of financing are Granite Point Capital Management and Vivo Capital. Previously, the company had secured $7.8 million in funding from these two investment firms. Following the completion of this financing round, the total amount raised in its Series A will reach $11 million.

Epilepsy refers to a temporary dysfunction of the brain caused by sudden abnormal electrical discharges from neurons. According to statistics, epilepsy is one of the four most common neurological disorders worldwide, affecting over 50 million people globally. Conditions such as head injury, brain tumors, lead poisoning, impaired brain development, genetic disorders, and infectious diseases can all lead to epilepsy.

In the United States, approximately 4 million people suffer from epilepsy. Currently, no drug or surgical intervention can completely cure the disease, making oral medications (anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs) nearly the only option for patients. Statistics show that the global market for antiepileptic drugs is valued at $11.34 billion. However, oral medications are ineffective for 30% of epilepsy patients.

Cerebral Therapeutics, as a biopharmaceutical company, has been dedicated to the development of drugs for refractory epilepsy since its inception. The company’s newly launched therapy employs a chronically implanted infusion system that bypasses the blood-brain barrier, delivering appropriate doses of antiepileptic drugs directly to targeted brain regions via intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection. This approach significantly reduces systemic drug exposure and improves medication adherence, offering a superior option for patients with chronic neurological disorders, particularly those who do not respond to oral or intravenous treatments.

Previously, Cerebral Therapeutics entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with the University of Colorado to jointly develop an anti-epileptic drug. Unlike traditional oral medications, this therapy utilizes a specialized implantable, refillable catheter pump system that delivers valproic acid continuously to the brain to suppress seizures. The company is currently collaborating with the University of Melbourne in Australia to apply this therapy in adult patients. Preliminary clinical results indicate that the new treatment reduces the frequency and severity of seizures by 50–90% in patients with epilepsy.

Daniel J. Abrams, M.D., CEO of Cerebral Therapeutics, stated, “We are offering a novel approach to treating neurological disorders. Moving forward, our specialized team will continue to advance the research and development of therapeutics for refractory epilepsy and other neurological conditions, further enhancing drug efficacy.”

Granite Point Capital Management, headquartered in Massachusetts, USA, was established in 2004 as an investment firm registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, primarily providing financial support to companies in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors.

Vivo Capital, established in 1996, is a venture capital firm specializing in the biosciences and healthcare sectors, with offices in California, Beijing, Shanghai, and other locations. To date, the firm has invested in more than 100 private and public companies and manages over $3 billion in assets.

(Compiled by Feng Yutong)