Lario Therapeutics Wins $2.4M to Target 'Faulty Switches' in Parkinson's, PTSD

EDINBURGH, Scotland – February 19, 2026 – In a significant endorsement of its precision-medicine approach, Scottish biopharmaceutical firm Lario Therapeutics has secured $2.4 million in new grants from two of the world's most prestigious research funders: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) and Wellcome. The funding is set to expand the company's innovative work on neuronal calcium channels, opening new fronts in the fight against Parkinson's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The announcement marks a major validation for the Edinburgh-based company, which specializes in developing therapies that target the specific biological "faulty switches" in the brain believed to underlie severe neurological and psychiatric conditions. This new capital injection will allow Lario to apply its unique platform to two complex disorders with profound unmet medical needs.

A Strategic Validation from Global Research Leaders

The dual grants serve as a powerful vote of confidence in Lario's scientific platform. Receiving backing from both MJFF, a global leader in Parkinson's research, and Wellcome, a major charitable foundation focused on health challenges, signals that Lario's approach is not just promising but is built on a scientifically rigorous foundation.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation has awarded Lario $1.5 million to advance its work on a target known as CaV1.3. This isn't just a speculative bet; CaV1.3 has been specifically highlighted by MJFF's own 'Targets to Therapies' initiative, an expert-led program designed to identify and de-risk the most promising drug targets for modifying the course of Parkinson's disease. This strategic alignment suggests Lario's research is directly addressing a high-priority goal identified by the foremost experts in the field.

In parallel, a $900,000 grant from Wellcome will fund the exploration of a different calcium channel, CaV2.3, as a potential target for treating PTSD. This move is particularly noteworthy as it is grounded in recent large-scale human genetics studies that have linked variations in the gene encoding CaV2.3 (CACNA1E) to an increased risk of developing the condition. Wellcome's investment underscores a broader shift in mental health research towards targets with clear genetic and biological rationale, a departure from a history often marked by high failure rates in psychiatric drug development.

"Lario was founded to translate strong human genetics and neuronal biology into precision medicines for patients with severe neurological disease," said Henning Steinhagen, Chief Executive Officer of Lario Therapeutics, in a statement. "We are grateful for the continued support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the funding from Wellcome which support us to advance these unique programmes towards the clinic, taking us one step closer to providing meaningful treatments for patients with high unmet need."

Targeting the Brain's Electrical Wiring

At the heart of Lario's work is a focus on voltage-gated neuronal calcium channels. These channels act as critical gatekeepers, regulating the flow of calcium into neurons, which in turn controls everything from nerve impulses to synaptic signaling. When these channels malfunction, they can cause circuits in the brain to become over-excited or dysregulated, contributing to the core pathology of various disorders.

Instead of developing drugs that broadly suppress or stimulate brain activity—a blunt approach with often significant side effects—Lario is designing selective small-molecule inhibitors. These molecules are engineered to precisely target and correct the function of specific faulty channels.

The new funding will support two distinct but related programs:
* For Parkinson's Disease: The MJFF grant will accelerate the development of inhibitors for the CaV1.3 channel. In Parkinson's, the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons is a central feature. Research suggests that CaV1.3 channels contribute to the metabolic stress and vulnerability of these specific neurons, making them a prime target for a therapy that could potentially slow or halt the disease's progression, rather than merely managing its symptoms.
* For PTSD: The Wellcome grant enables Lario to validate CaV2.3 as a target for PTSD. The genetic link provides a strong hypothesis that over-activity of this channel could contribute to the circuits of fear and anxiety that become entrenched after trauma. A selective inhibitor could offer a novel way to restore normal function to these circuits.

"These awards recognise the growing body of evidence linking neuronal calcium channel dysfunction to the core biology of neurological and psychiatric diseases," commented Tom Otis, Chief Scientific Officer at Lario. "By combining selective small-molecule chemistry with rigorous target biology, we are building a unique platform designed to deliver precision therapies for patients suffering from epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder."

Hope for Conditions with Devastating Impact

The expansion of Lario's research pipeline addresses conditions that affect millions of people worldwide and carry a staggering personal and economic burden. Parkinson's disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, affects over 8.5 million people globally. In the United States alone, the annual economic burden was estimated at over $50 billion as of 2017, yet there remains no cure and no therapy that can alter the disease's relentless course.

Similarly, PTSD affects an estimated 3.6% of U.S. adults annually, with current treatments, including psychotherapy and medication, proving ineffective for many. The prospect of a new, biologically targeted treatment offers a significant ray of hope for those grappling with the debilitating condition.

This new work builds upon Lario's existing programs. The company's lead program focuses on developing a CaV2.3 inhibitor for severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), a group of rare and devastating childhood seizure disorders for which there are few effective treatments. The expansion into Parkinson's and PTSD demonstrates the broad potential of the company's calcium channel platform.

Building on a Foundation of Sustained Growth

This latest funding round is not Lario's first collaboration with The Michael J. Fox Foundation. In 2024, the company received a $6 million grant from MJFF to support its preclinical work on CaV2.3 inhibitors as a potential disease-modifying treatment for Parkinson's, a program conducted in collaboration with the Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre. The continued support signals growing confidence in the company's ability to deliver on its scientific promise.

Founded in 2021 as a spin-out from Epidarex Exeed, the discovery engine of venture capital firm Epidarex Capital, Lario has quickly established itself as a key player in the precision neuroscience space. The company's focus on genetically validated targets and its ability to attract significant non-dilutive funding from major foundations places it in a strong position. Lario has announced it is focused on advancing its lead program for DEEs, with plans to initiate the necessary IND-enabling studies in 2026, a critical step on the path toward first-in-human clinical trials.