Nilo Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on restoring immune balance through neural circuit modulation, has launched with $101 million in Series A funding. The round was led by The Column Group (TCG), DCVC Bio, and Lux Capital, with additional support from the Gates Foundation and Alexandria Venture Investments.
This investment will support the establishment of Nilo’s research labs in New York City, expand its interdisciplinary R&D team, and accelerate the development of its preclinical programs.
Coinciding with its launch, Nilo announced the appointment of Kim Seth, Ph.D., as Chief Executive Officer and Board Director. Dr. Seth brings more than 25 years of experience in the biopharma industry, spanning leadership roles in early-stage biotech, public companies, and large pharmaceutical firms. Most recently, he served as Chief Business Officer at Repare Therapeutics, where he helped scale the company from its early stages through IPO and led business development efforts that generated over $250 million in financing and partnerships valued at more than $4 billion. His background also includes strategic roles at Pfizer and Goldman Sachs, and he holds a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Harvard University.
Nilo was founded by three leading scientists in neuro-immunology: Charles Zuker, Ph.D. of Columbia University, Ruslan Medzhitov, Ph.D. of Yale University, and Steve Liberles, Ph.D. of Harvard University. The company was formed in collaboration with TCG to translate cutting-edge research into new therapeutic strategies. Dr. Seth joins Chief Scientific Officer Laurens Kruidenier, Ph.D., in leading Nilo’s transition from stealth mode into active development. Dr. Kruidenier is a seasoned immunology expert who previously served as CSO at Cellarity and Prometheus Biosciences, where he helped advance multiple therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Nilo’s scientific approach centers on modulating neural circuits that regulate immune responses, rather than suppressing the immune system directly. The company’s platform builds on discoveries from Dr. Zuker’s lab, which identified specific vagal neurons that act as master regulators of systemic inflammation. By targeting these brain-body circuits, Nilo aims to influence multiple immune pathways simultaneously, potentially reducing therapeutic resistance and expanding treatment options for a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
With its strong scientific foundation, experienced leadership, and substantial financial backing, Nilo Therapeutics is well-positioned to pioneer a new class of neuro-immunology drugs that could reshape the treatment of immune-related diseases. The company’s launch marks a significant step forward in integrating neuroscience and immunology to address complex medical challenges.
KEY QUOTES:
“Nilo is at a transformative moment. 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.”
Laurens Kruidenier, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Nilo Therapeutics
“We are thrilled to welcome Kim as CEO. With a track record of guiding companies from their earliest stages through IPO, and successfully advancing programs, Kim brings both breadth and vision. His passion for translating bold science into breakthrough medicines makes him the ideal partner to complement Laurens’ scientific leadership and lead Nilo into its next phase of growth.”
Dr. Tim Kutzkey, Managing Partner at The Column Group
“It’s an honor to join the incredibly talented and committed team at Nilo. Together with Laurens, our world-class scientific founders, and our investors, we are building a company positioned to deliver a new generation of therapies that harness the brain-immune axis to transform the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.”
Kim Seth, Chief Executive Officer of Nilo Therapeutics
