Newleos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage neuroscience company, has closed an oversubscribed $93.5 million Series A funding round. Led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, the round saw participation from Novo Holdings A/S, Longwood Fund, DCVC Bio, and Arkin Bio Capital. The company aims to revolutionize neuropsychiatric treatment through novel medicines addressing major mental health conditions.

Advancing Neuropsychiatric Treatments

Newleos’ clinical-stage pipeline, licensed from Roche, includes multiple oral small molecules targeting anxiety, substance use disorders, and cognitive impairment. Its lead program, NTX-1955, is a first-in-class GABAA-γ1 selective positive allosteric modulator (PAM) designed to treat anxiety disorders. By targeting the γ1 subunit in the amygdala, NTX-1955 aims to reduce anxiety with fewer side effects than existing treatments.

Pipeline and Innovation

Additional assets include NTX-1472 for social anxiety, NTX-2001 for substance use disorders, and NTX-1511 for cognitive impairment. Each therapy targets distinct receptors, offering new mechanisms of action for conditions with limited effective treatments. These programs have undergone preclinical and early-stage clinical evaluations, demonstrating safety and selectivity.

Strategic Leadership and Investment

Newleos was co-founded by Longwood Fund and seasoned experts in CNS drug development, including Federico Bolognani, M.D., Ph.D., and William Martin, Ph.D. The company’s board includes industry leaders such as Christoph Westphal, M.D., Ph.D., and representatives from Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Novo Holdings. Investors highlight the company’s potential to deliver transformative therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders.

With strong financial backing and a robust pipeline, Newleos is positioned to advance innovative treatments for anxiety, substance use, and cognitive disorders. The company plans to initiate proof-of-concept studies to validate its therapies’ effectiveness. By targeting significant unmet medical needs, Newleos aims to redefine treatment approaches for millions of patients worldwide.