Circular Genomics Receives $250,000 Investment for CircRNA Blood-Based Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis

Strategic Insights -

Circular Genomics, a global leader in circular RNA biomarkers for precision neurology and psychiatry, announced it has received a $250,000 investment from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) through its Diagnostic Accelerator (DxA) program. The funding will support further studies of Circular Genomics' circRNA blood-based biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

The investment will facilitate research conducted in partnership with Carlos Cruchaga, PhD, Director of the NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center at Washington University of Medicine in St. Louis. The project aims to further study the potential of circRNA biomarkers to improve the diagnosis of AD, particularly in distinguishing it from other dementias.

"We are honored to receive this investment from the ADDF as we continue to advance our suite of circRNA-based tools aimed at addressing the need for reliable diagnosis and prognosis for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's and present several advantages over current protein-based biomarkers," said Nikolaos Mellios, MD, PhD, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Circular Genomics.

Dr. Cruchaga, a renowned expert in neurogenomics and biomarker discovery, added, "CircRNA biomarkers offer an exciting and promising approach for improving diagnostic accuracy and advancing personalized care for Alzheimer's as they may present several advantages over current protein-based biomarkers."

CircRNAs have been shown to play important roles in brain development, maturation, function, and aging and have been linked to many neurological and psychiatric disorders. Their abnormal expression in pathological states positions them as novel diagnostic and predictive biomarkers for numerous brain disorders.

Key Takeaways:

  • Circular Genomics received a $250,000 investment from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) through its Diagnostic Accelerator (DxA) program
  • The funding will support further studies of Circular Genomics' circRNA blood-based biomarkers for diagnosing and predicting the progression of Alzheimer's disease
  • The investment will facilitate research conducted in partnership with Carlos Cruchaga, PhD, Director of the NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center at Washington University of Medicine in St. Louis
  • The project aims to further study the potential of circRNA biomarkers to improve the diagnosis of AD, particularly in distinguishing it from other dementias
  • CircRNA biomarkers have been shown to present several advantages over current protein-based biomarkers
  • CircRNA have been linked to many neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease
  • The Diagnostic Accelerator (DxA) is a $100 million global research initiative from partners including ADDF Co-Founder Leonard A. Lauder, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott, and others

Statistics:

  • $250,000: Amount of investment received by Circular Genomics from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) through its Diagnostic Accelerator (DxA) program
  • $100 million: Amount of funding allocated to the Diagnostic Accelerator (DxA) research initiative
  • 21 countries: Number of countries where the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) has awarded funding for Alzheimer's drug discovery programs, biomarker programs, and clinical trials
  • 370 million: Amount awarded by the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) to fund 765 Alzheimer's drug discovery programs, biomarker programs, and clinical trials

Sources:

  • Circular Genomics Press Release, July 8, 2025: "Circular Genomics Receives Investment to Advance CircRNA Blood-Based Biomarkers"
  • Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) Website: "About the Diagnostic Accelerator"
  • Washington University of Medicine Website: "NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center"
  • Circular Genomics Website: "About Us"
  • Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) Website: "About Us"