Disease-Modifying Therapies
Polku Therapeutics develops first-in-class therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, targeting the root causes of tau aggregation and neuroinflammation.
Polku is a Finnish word for path or trail
The brain is the command center of our emotions, creativity, and ability to navigate the world. Neurodegeneration disrupts this harmony, causing the slow and relentless loss of the neurons that make us who we are.
0M+
people living with dementia worldwide
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new cases diagnosed every year
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disease-modifying treatments for most tauopathies
Our Approach
We target the PREP–PP2A axis — a master regulator of tau homeostasis in the brain. Our small molecules restore the brain's natural ability to clear toxic aggregates and reduce inflammation.
Differentiation
Allosteric modulation of a new binding site on PREP — not enzyme inhibition, but protein-protein interaction modulation.
Clears existing tau and α-synuclein aggregates by restoring the cell's own waste-clearance pathways.
Restores PP2A activity to reduce hyperphosphorylated tau, preventing new aggregate formation.
Harmonizing PP2A holoenzyme dampens glial cell activation and oxidative stress, breaking the neurodegeneration cycle.
Novel PREP ligand, HUP-46, ameliorates behavioral deficits in an alpha-synuclein based Parkinson's disease model
A prolyl oligopeptidase ligand blocks memory deficit in a repeated mild traumatic brain injury model
5-Aminothiazoles Reveal a New Ligand-Binding Site on Prolyl Oligopeptidase Which is Important for Modulation of Its Protein–Protein Interaction-Derived Functions
A prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitor reduces tau pathology in cellular models and in mice with tauopathy
Nonpeptidic Oxazole-Based Prolyl Oligopeptidase Ligands with Disease-Modifying Effects on α-Synuclein Mouse Models of Parkinson's Disease
Prolyl oligopeptidase inhibition activates autophagy via protein phosphatase 2A
Pipeline
A CNS drug discovery pipeline advancing toward first-in-human studies, with a capital-efficient strategy starting in orphan tauopathies. All indications below are part of our PREP/PP2A modulator program.
Team
Our roots are in neuropharmacology and medicinal chemistry research at the University of Helsinki, combined with deep biopharma business development experience.
Chief Executive Officer
Simon brings over 35 years in life sciences, including 28 years at Executive and Board Director levels from start-up through to public listing. He has a proven track record with over 80 commercial deals in licensing, M&A, and strategic partnerships, and an established global network across pharma, biotech, medtech and investor communities. DPhil from University of Oxford.
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Chief Operating Officer
Sebastian bridges science and business in life science ventures. He brings hands-on experience in fundraising, portfolio strategy, and venture development. At Polku he drives commercial and operational development, leads external partnerships, and manages R&D projects. MSc in drug discovery, MBA in bioentrepreneurship from Copenhagen Business School.
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Scientific Co-founder
Timo holds the most prestigious academic position in Finnish pharmacology as Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Helsinki. With over 20 years of research on PREP and more than 40 published articles on the subject, his lab pioneered the discovery of PREP's protein-protein interaction biology and its role in neurodegeneration, forming the scientific foundation of Polku's therapeutic platform.
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Scientific Co-founder
Erik is a Principal Investigator in Pharmaceutical Design at the University of Helsinki specializing in medicinal chemistry. As the inventor of the HUP series, he advises on the design and optimization of novel small molecule PREP PPI modulators, translating structural insights into drug-like compounds with improved brain penetrance and oral bioavailability.
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in funding secured
Pre-seed round led by renowned life science investors, with additional soft funding from government and foundation programs.
Our Path
We want to hear from life science funds active in seed rounds and biopharma firms active in preclinical R&D collaborations in CNS.
