Treatment provides continuous dopaminergic stimulation to reduce severity of motor complications and extend periods of symptom control.
US biotech Serina Therapeutics has announced the completion of a $5 million financing round supported by strategic shareholders to advance its lead clinical candidate into clinical development for the treatment of advanced Parkinson’s disease. The company plans to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Serina’s lead compound, SER-252, is an investigational formulation of apomorphine intended to provide continuous dopaminergic stimulation to reduce the severity of motor complications such as dyskinesia and extend periods of effective symptom control in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease.
Based in Huntsville, Alabama, Serina is focused on the development of therapeutics using its proprietary POZ Platform, which is built around a synthetic, water-soluble, low-viscosity polymer called poly(2-oxazoline) that allows for programmable, targeted delivery of drugs. The company claims its POZ technology enables precise control over drug loading and release, particularly suited for therapeutics that require consistent blood levels due to narrow therapeutic windows.
Unlike other commonly used polymers, Serina says POZ does not trigger immune responses or antibody formation, addressing significant challenges in polymer-based drug delivery systems. Additionally, the POZ polymer does not accumulate in tissues, is not metabolized by the body and is safely cleared through renal filtration.
Serina says it POZ technology has demonstrated clinical potential in delivering continuous drug levels via subcutaneous injections administered as infrequently as once per week. The company claims its platform is suitable for various drug types, including small molecules, proteins,and RNA-based therapeutics, and allows for administration via intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular routes.
Last year, Serina merged with longevity biotech AgeX Therapeutics, which allowed Serina to leverage AgeX’s public listing and trade on the NYSE American market. The newly secured funding saw the issuance of 965,250 shares of convertible preferred stock.
“This financing further strengthens our cash position and reflects the confidence of our strategic investors in the potential of SER-252,” said Serina CEO Steve Ledger. “With a novel approach to achieving continuous dopaminergic stimulation, we believe SER-252 may offer meaningful clinical benefit to patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. We remain focused on initiating first-in-human studies later this year.”
