Pikralida Secures PLN 12.5M to Advance Neuroprotective Therapies
Pikralida Secures PLN 12.5M to Advance Neuroprotective Therapies and Anti-Venom Drug Innovation
Investment, Biotech
✦ Subtitle: Polish biotech startup gains multi-investor support to accelerate clinical trials for brain trauma therapies and innovative venom response treatments
Pikralida, a Warsaw- and Poznań-based biotech startup specializing in neuroprotection and drug delivery innovation, has secured PLN 12.5 million (approx. €2.8 million) in a new investment round. Leading the round are prominent funds including Hard2Beat, iif.vc, Altamira VC, N50/Manawa (led by Marian Popinigis), and a group of seasoned angel investors. Additional capital was also contributed by Altamira VC and Pikralida’s co-founder Stanisław Pikul, amounting to another PLN 0.8 million.
The fresh funding will allow Pikralida to accelerate the development of its flagship neuroprotective drug PKL-021 and a suite of venom-related therapeutics aimed at both human and animal treatment post-snakebite. The company expects to launch its first product on the market by 2027/2028.
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Hybrid Model and CRO Synergy
Operating under a hybrid business model, Pikralida combines in-house R&D with Contract Research Organization (CRO) services. This structure enables the company to mitigate risk while reinforcing its credibility in pharmaceutical innovation. Its team of 20 scientists—with over 30% holding PhDs—drives forward small-molecule discovery and advanced drug delivery systems, particularly in neurology and geriatrics.
Pipeline and Platform
The startup’s current flagship candidate, PKL-021, is an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), with demonstrated safety in early trials. The funding will support Phase 2 clinical trials across multiple indications. Pikralida is also advancing TRX-03, a separate clinical candidate supported by a PLN 5 million grant from Poland’s Medical Research Agency.
Financial Trajectory and Future Plans
To date, Pikralida has raised over PLN 25 million from grants, CRO revenue, and private equity. The founders aim to commercialize TRX-12 as their first revenue-generating asset and plan to reinvest proceeds into future development. This strategy reflects their commitment to maintaining operational independence and reducing external capital risk.
With funding tranches to be disbursed until mid-2026, Pikralida is poised to deepen its clinical programs and prepare for market entry, leveraging its agile operational model to simultaneously build proprietary therapies and support external biotech partners.
Tags: Biotech, Investment
