Adjuvia Therapeutics has raised $8 million in Series Seed funding to advance ATI-105, its lead experimental treatment for mitochondrial diseases. The round was led by JLO Ventures, with participation from Portfolia Ventures and biotechnology industry investors.
Adjuvia plans to use the financing to submit an Investigational New Drug application for ATI-105 during the summer of 2026 and begin a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers during the fall. The company also intends to begin a Phase 1/2 study involving patients with Friedreich’s ataxia in early 2027.
Mitochondria produce much of the energy used by cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction can contribute to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, tissue damage and reduced organ function.
Adjuvia is developing oral therapies intended to address several of these biological problems simultaneously.
ATI-105 is a proprietary lipid nanoparticle formulation of a new astaxanthin molecule. The formulation is designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and improve the molecule’s biological activity and availability within the body.
In preclinical disease models, ATI-105 reduced reactive oxygen species and chronic inflammation while showing evidence of cellular repair, improved organ function and longer lifespan, according to Adjuvia. These findings have not yet been confirmed in human clinical trials.
Adjuvia was founded in 2023 and is initially focused on rare mitochondrial diseases. The company also sees potential applications in age-related chronic conditions and fertility disorders where mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to disease progression.
KEY QUOTE:
“This financing marks an important milestone for Adjuvia as we prepare to bring ATI-105 into the clinic. Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to many rare and chronic diseases, but treatment options remain limited.”
“We believe ATI-105 has the potential to address the underlying biology of mitochondrial disease, and this investment will allow us to begin clinically evaluating its safety and therapeutic potential.”
Dr. Laura Hix Glickman, Co-Founder and CEO of Adjuvia Therapeutics
