Berlin Startup Develops Digital Treatment for Alzheimer's
The Nuuron team - © Nuuron
Berlin-based neurotech startup Nuuron has secured €3.5 million in seed funding to advance its innovative digital therapy for Alzheimer's disease. According to a company press release, the oversubscribed round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), with participation from IBB Ventures, caesar., and the Business Angel Club Berlin.
The company is developing what it calls a "Memory Pacemaker" - a digital therapeutic that uses ultra-high frequency, digital-photonic stimuli to activate memory systems in Alzheimer's patients. The technology works through the retina as an interface to the brain, utilizing advanced virtual and augmented reality for delivery.
In addition to the funding, Nuuron has established a strategic partnership with RoX Health, a subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant Roche. Dr. Robert Schnitzler, CEO of RoX Health, emphasized the technology's potential, stating that digital therapeutics could transform the treatment of complex diseases.
The fresh capital will fund animal studies in collaboration with the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and clinical trials with Alzheimer's patients at Charité. The company is simultaneously preparing for market entry in both Europe and the United States.
The timing is crucial, as the global Alzheimer's patient population is expected to grow from 55 million to 139 million by 2050. The market for Alzheimer's therapies, valued at $5.8 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $11.4 billion by 2032.
Co-founded by Fabian Queisner and Dr. Markus Müschenich, Nuuron brings together experts in neuroscience, medicine, neuroinformatics, machine learning, and public health. The company aims to develop their digital therapy as a doctor-prescribed, insurance-reimbursed treatment option.
