Adjuvia Therapeutics has closed an $8 million Series Seed financing to move its lead mitochondrial disease candidate, ATI-105, toward human testing. The round was led by JLO Ventures, with participation from Portfolia Ventures and several experienced biopharmaceutical industry leaders. The financing gives the San Francisco biotechnology company fresh capital as it prepares regulatory filings and begins the transition from preclinical development to clinical evaluation.
Financing Supports Clinical Entry
The company plans to use the proceeds to submit an Investigational New Drug application for ATI-105 later in the summer of 2026. Following regulatory clearance, Adjuvia expects to begin a Phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers in fall 2026, marking the candidate’s first evaluation in humans. It also intends to launch a Phase 1/2 study in patients with Friedreich’s ataxia in early 2027, extending the program into a rare disorder associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.
A Multi-Target Approach to Mitochondrial Damage
Founded in 2023, Adjuvia is developing oral therapies designed to address several interconnected consequences of damaged mitochondria rather than focusing on a single biological pathway. Its strategy simultaneously targets oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and organ degeneration, factors the company believes contribute to the progression of mitochondrial diseases. By pursuing a broader repair-oriented approach, Adjuvia aims to address underlying disease biology and potentially improve outcomes across disorders with limited treatment options.
ATI-105 Advances as the Lead Program
ATI-105 is described by Adjuvia as a proprietary, blood-brain barrier-penetrant lipid nanoparticle formulation containing a novel astaxanthin molecule. The formulation is intended to improve the molecule’s bioactivity and bioavailability while supporting delivery to tissues affected by mitochondrial dysfunction, including the central nervous system. Adjuvia reported that preclinical testing across several disease models produced reductions in reactive oxygen species and chronic inflammation, alongside signs of cellular repair, improved organ function, and longer survival.
Initial Focus on Friedreich’s Ataxia
The company’s first patient-focused clinical program will target Friedreich’s ataxia, which Adjuvia has selected as the initial rare-disease indication for ATI-105. Its planned Phase 1/2 study is expected to begin after the healthy-volunteer trial generates early clinical information about the candidate. Advancing into this indication will allow the company to examine whether the effects observed during preclinical studies can translate into meaningful results in patients.
Leadership and Development Experience
Adjuvia is led by co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Laura Hix Glickman, a biotechnology executive and scientist with experience spanning therapeutic development, company building, and regulatory submissions. Co-founder Tim Wilson serves as chairman, while Chief Operating Officer Kelly Bryant oversees organizational execution, research activities, and clinical program development. Chief Medical Officer Gurdyal Kalsi leads the clinical strategy, drawing on experience advancing drug programs at major pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology businesses focused on rare diseases.
Broader Therapeutic Ambitions
Although rare mitochondrial diseases are the company’s near-term priority, Adjuvia sees potential applications in chronic conditions where mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to disease progression. The company has identified age-related disorders and fertility conditions as longer-term areas of interest, reflecting a broader ambition to develop treatments that restore mitochondrial health. Those expansion plans remain dependent on clinical validation, but successful early studies could provide a foundation for evaluating ATI-105 or related therapies across additional indications.
The $8 million financing represents a critical step for Adjuvia as it moves ATI-105 from laboratory studies toward its first clinical trials. The upcoming IND submission and planned Phase 1 launch will test whether the company can translate its multi-target mitochondrial repair strategy into a viable therapeutic program. With an experienced leadership team, specialized investors, and a defined development timeline, Adjuvia is entering a decisive period in its effort to create new treatments for mitochondrial disease.