Cellestial Health, a pioneering pharmaceutical development spin-out from the University of Cambridge, has closed a £515,000 pre-seed equity funding round to accelerate the development of novel therapeutics targeting astrocytes, an often-overlooked cell type in the brain, with the first indication of Parkinson’s disease.
Astrocytes are intricately-shaped cells that tile the human brain, their functions are not fully understood
The equity round was led by Zinc VC, with the latest investment tranche supported by SFC Capital and independent angel investors from Alma Angels, a community supporting female founders. This funding will enable Cellestial’s mission to revolutionise how we treat brain disorders by shifting the therapeutic focus towards the inclusion of astrocytes in drug development.
“Our approach stems from the urgent need for treatments that go beyond symptom management in Parkinson’s,” comments Dr Nat Hastings, Founder and CEO of Cellestial Health. “Patients and caregivers know too well that the existing drugs do not stop the disease from getting worse. By targeting astrocytes - essential brain cells that have traditionally been neglected in drug development, we’re opening new possibilities.”
Dr Hastings and her team have built on years of academic research to validate their first drug target in Parkinson’s disease. The company is developing brain-permeable small molecule drugs designed to restore normal astrocytic network function, a promising new pathway for neurodegenerative conditions.