IAMA Therapeutics Secures €15 Million Investment to Advance Neurological Disorder Therapies

GENOA, Italy, April 16, 2025 — IAMA Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on the neuroscience drug discovery and start-up of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of Technology- IIT), today announced the successful closing of a €15 million investment round to accelerate the clinical development of its innovative therapeutic pipeline, including its lead compound, IAMA-6, a first-in-class oral small molecule designed to selectively inhibit NKCC1, a major CNS chloride transporter playing essential roles in modulating neuronal excitability.

The financing was led by Indaco Venture Partners SGR, alongside Fondazione Enea Tech e Biomedical, with the support from the existing investors Claris Ventures SGR, and CDP Venture Capital SGR.

Laura Cancedda and Marco De Vivo, scientific co-founders of IAMA Therapeutics and Principal Investigators at IIT, commented: “This funding represents a major milestone for IAMA and underscores the strong scientific rationale behind our approach. We are committed to translating our research into innovative therapies that address the significant unmet needs in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. The progress we have made so far provides a strong foundation for the next phase of clinical development.”

Giovanni Rizzo, Partner of Biotech Fund at Indaco Venture Partners SGR, said: “Indaco is excited to support IAMA on its journey to redefine treatment options for CNS disorders. The company’s portfolio contains highly selective inhibitors and modulators of some molecular targets involved in the balance of intracellular chloride in neurons, a mechanism can be targeted for several clinical indication in neurology. We believe in the team’s ability to bring these innovations to patients worldwide.”

Maria Cristina Porta, Fondazione Enea Tech e Biomedical General Manager, added: “Iama Therapeutics represents an excellence in Italian research and a concrete example of how technology transfer can generate a positive impact on the lives of patients affected by complex neurological diseases. Our investment confirms the Foundation’s commitment to supporting innovative startups in the biomedical sector, contributing to strengthening the research and pharmaceutical industry ecosystem in Italy.”

Ciro Spedaliere, Partner of Claris Ventures and Chairman of IAMA Therapeutics, commented: “We are proud to welcome this group of investors, who share our vision of transforming the treatment landscape for CNS disorders. This investment will enable us to advance IAMA-6 through Phase 2 clinical trials and set the stage for the next phase of development. Together, we are committed to bringing life-changing therapies to patients in need.”

Mario Scuderi, Senior Partner and Head of the Evoluzione Fund at CDP Venture Capital, concluded: “We have been supporting the IAMA Therapeutics team since the very beginning of this project. We have followed the initial progress of IAMA-6 and the potential this drug has to transform the quality of life for people with neurodevelopmental disorders. We are very proud of the results IAMA has achieved over the years, and we look forward to following the developments of the upcoming trials.”

About IAMA Therapeutics

IAMA Therapeutics, a start-up company of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of Technology) based in Genoa, Italy, is at the forefront of neuroscience drug discovery, dedicated to advancing therapeutic solutions for individuals with neurologic conditions. The company’s compounds are small molecules targeting cation-chloride cotransporters, which play a key role in the pathology of CNS disorders. IAMA-6, the lead compound, is currently being tested in a First-in-Human Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT06300398).

For more information, please visit https://iamatherapeutics.com.

About Indaco Venture Partners

Indaco Venture Partners SGR is one of the largest independent Italian venture capital asset management companies, with over EUR370 million in assets under management, focused on companies that innovate in electronics, robotics, new materials, medtech, biotech – pharma and digital. Indaco Bio Fund (around EUR100 million) is exclusively dedicated to investing in the development of innovative pharmacological therapies, across all therapeutic indications but with particular attention to Oncology, CNS, Ophthalmology, Metabolic diseases, Virology, and Infectious diseases. Indaco is focused on the Italian Biotech sector with select investments in other European countries, USA, Canada, and Israel.

About Fondazione Enea Tech e Biomedical

A foundation under the oversight of the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Fondazione Enea manages the €250 million Technology Transfer Fund and €450 million Biomedical Fund. The foundation supports projects that link academic research to industrial applications, particularly in the biomedical sector.

About Claris Ventures

Claris Ventures is an Italian venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in high-potential biopharma companies. The firm supports groundbreaking drug development, investing in transformative therapies that address high unmet medical needs.

About CDP Venture Capital SGR

CDP Venture Capital manages Fondo Evoluzione, aimed at fostering high-impact innovation. Their extensive portfolio includes investments in pioneering healthcare and biotech companies.

Media Contact:
media@iamatherapeutics.com