Violet Therapeutics, a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on neurodegenerative diseases, announced a $4.75 million seed extension financing led by LifeSpan Vision Ventures. Additional participants in the round included Dementia Discovery Fund, UTEC, Ono Venture Investment, and Mass General Brigham Ventures.
The financing will support the advancement of Violet Therapeutics’ lead small molecule program targeting EphB3 through key IND-enabling activities. EphB3 is a receptor tyrosine kinase associated with microglia-astrocyte signaling and was identified through Violet’s proprietary CONNECT platform, which maps disease-relevant cell-to-cell signaling interactions in the brain.
Violet Therapeutics is developing first-in-class therapies designed to address neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and synaptic loss. The company’s CONNECT platform is intended to identify therapeutically actionable signaling pathways emerging from cellular interaction networks rather than relying solely on genetic association studies.
Synaptic loss is considered one of the strongest predictors of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Violet’s lead program is focused on glial-mediated synaptic preservation and repair in an effort to protect cognitive function during aging and disease progression.
The company said the addition of LifeSpan Vision Ventures brings sector expertise in aging-related diseases and cognition research as Violet advances its EphB3 program toward clinical development.
KEY QUOTES:
“Preserving cognitive function is one of the most important challenges in aging biology, and Violet is approaching that challenge from a uniquely actionable angle. The company’s CONNECT platform gives it a systematic way to uncover how glial signaling contributes to synaptic dysfunction, with EphB3 representing a strong first step toward therapies that may protect brain health across aging and neurodegenerative disease.”
Altar Munis, Associate, LifeSpan Vision Ventures
“We are pleased to welcome LVV as the lead investor in this extension round. LVV brings deep sector expertise in technologies that will impact diseases of aging and cognition. Likewise, their addition to the board adds valuable perspective as we continue to advance our EphB3 program towards the clinic and to develop our CONNECT discovery platform.”
Meredith Fisher, CEO, Violet Therapeutics
