What Polku Therapeutics does

Polku Therapeutics Oy is a Helsinki-based, pre-clinical stage biotech founded in 2023 as a spin-out from the University of Helsinki. The company develops first-in-class, orally bioavailable, brain-penetrant small molecules that target the PREP (prolyl oligopeptidase) – PP2A (protein phosphatase 2A) axis — a master regulator of tau homeostasis in the brain. Its compounds are designed as allosteric modulators of a novel binding site on PREP (protein-protein interaction modulation rather than enzyme inhibition), with the goal of restoring the brain's natural ability to clear toxic tau and α-synuclein aggregates, reducing hyperphosphorylated tau, and dampening neuroinflammation via autophagy induction and p38/MAPK modulation.

The company's pipeline spans Discovery through Phase I across four primary neurodegenerative indications — frontotemporal dementia (FTD/MAPT), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD) — plus an exploratory program in traumatic brain injury. Lead compound POLK-38 has demonstrated significant treatment effects on brain tau pathology and spatial learning in the PS19 tauopathy mouse model, while the HUP series (including HUP-46) has shown behavioral benefits in α-synuclein-based Parkinson's disease models and memory-preservation effects in repeated mild traumatic brain injury models. Discovery and lead optimization are executed through an outsourced model with CRO partner ChemDiv, Inc., and the University of Helsinki research groups of Prof. Timo Myöhänen and Adj. Prof. Erik Wallén remain the scientific core.

Polku does not yet generate product revenue. Its business model is the standard pre-clinical biotech playbook: non-dilutive grant funding from foundations (Alzheimer's Association, Rainwater Charitable Foundation, ADDF) and government (Business Finland) supports early R&D, while the company pursues out-licensing deals, co-development partnerships, and potential M&A with larger pharmaceutical companies to advance its programs through IND-enabling studies and clinical development. The company is venture-backed with a €2.7M pre-seed round led by Torrey Pines Investments and Innovestor Life Science Fund, and its stated GTM targets biopharma firms active in CNS preclinical R&D collaborations and life science investors active in seed rounds.

Name

Polku Therapeutics

Legal name

Polku Therapeutics Oy

Website

https://polku-therapeutics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Polku Therapeutics is a Helsinki-based pre-clinical biotech developing first-in-class small molecule modulators of the PREP-PP2A axis to treat tauopathies and other neurodegenerative diseases, including FTD, PSP, AD, and Parkinson's disease, pursuing an out-licensing business model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CNS Therapeutics

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAF), Target Identification & Validation Platforms (omics-driven, chemoproteomics, genetic validation) (HLAAAIAI), In Vivo Pharmacology (Efficacy/PD Models) (HLAGAFAA)

Keywords

• CNS drug discovery
• Small molecule therapeutics
• Neurodegenerative disease therapy
• Tau-targeting therapeutics
• Preclinical biotech

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Licensing and Strategic Partnerships: As a pre-clinical stage biotech, Polku Therapeutics does not yet generate product revenue. The company is pursuing a traditional biotech revenue model centered on licensing its proprietary PREP-PP2A modulator platform to larger pharmaceutical companies, as well as co-development partnerships and M&A transactions, consistent with the track record of its CEO who has executed over 80 commercial deals in licensing, M&A, and strategic partnerships.
2. Non-dilutive Grant Funding: Polku receives grant funding from organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association, Rainwater Charitable Foundation, and Business Finland to support R&D programs in tau-targeting therapies and breakthrough therapeutics.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Polku Therapeutics is a pre-clinical stage biotech that develops first-in-class small molecule therapies targeting the PREP-PP2A axis to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Its lead compound POLK-38 and HUP series ligands address tau aggregation, autophagy dysfunction, and neuroinflammation across tauopathies (FTD, PSP, AD), Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain injury. The company operates an outsourced drug discovery model and intends to out-license its pipeline to larger pharmaceutical partners for clinical development and commercialization.

Product overview

Polku Therapeutics is a Finnish biotech company developing first-in-class disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The core platform consists of PREP PPI modulators (small molecules) that target the PREP-PP2A axis to restore the brain's natural ability to clear toxic tau aggregates and reduce neuroinflammation. The lead compound POLK-38 is advancing toward IND-enabling studies for tauopathies (FTD/MAPT, PSP, AD), while HUP-46 represents a validated PREP ligand compound with demonstrated efficacy in Parkinson's disease models. The pipeline spans Discovery through Phase I across multiple neurodegenerative indications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• POLK-38 Lead preclinical compound targeting the PREP-PP2A axis for neurodegenerative diseases. Demonstrated positive efficacy on brain tau pathology and spatial learning in PS19 tauopathy mouse model and advancing through discovery/lead optimization toward IND-enabling studies for tauopathies including FTD (MAPT), PSP, and AD.
• HUP-46 Novel PREP ligand that ameliorates behavioral deficits in alpha-synuclein based Parkinson's disease preclinical model. Part of the HUP series of PREP PPI modulators developed for disease-modifying effects.
• PREP PPI Modulator Platform First-in-class small molecule platform targeting the PREP-PP2A axis to restore the brain's natural ability to clear toxic tau aggregates and reduce neuroinflammation. Applied across tauopathies, Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain injury programs through lead compounds such as POLK-38 and HUP-46.

Quantifiable outcome

• POLK-38 demonstrated significant treatment effects on brain tau pathology and spatial learning in PS19 tauopathy mouse model
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ChemDiv, Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 22 June 2026ChemDiv, Inc., a global provider of integrated drug discovery solutions, has deployed its proprietary CNS-focused drug discovery platform to support Polku Therapeutics' program design and optimization of brain-penetrant small-molecule candidates. The partnership has enabled the advancement of Polku's neurodegenerative programs, with ChemDiv supporting lead compound POLK-38 progression.
• University of HelsinkicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolku's scientific roots are in neuropharmacology and medicinal chemistry research at the University of Helsinki. Prof. Timo Myöhänen (Scientific Co-founder, Professor of Pharmacology) and Adj. Prof. Erik Wallén (Principal Investigator in Pharmaceutical Design) conduct their research at the university, forming the scientific foundation of Polku's therapeutic platform.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Ionis Pharmaceuticals: US biotech pioneering antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies for CNS diseases, including tau-targeting programs. Comparable to Polku as a neurodegeneration therapeutics company, though using RNA-based rather than small molecule approaches.
• Sage Therapeutics: US biotech developing CNS small molecules for neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions. Comparable to Polku as a CNS-focused small molecule discovery and development company targeting brain-penetrant therapeutics.
• AC Immune: Swiss clinical-stage biotech developing vaccines and small molecules against tau, alpha-synuclein, and other neurodegenerative targets. Directly comparable as a tau-focused therapeutics company with multiple modalities aimed at disease modification in AD and related tauopathies.
• Prothena: Clinical-stage biotech developing antibody-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases including tau (PRX005) and alpha-synuclein. Comparable to Polku as a tau-targeting therapeutics company, though operating in the antibody modality rather than small molecules.
• Denali Therapeutics: Clinical-stage US biotech developing small molecule and biologic therapies for neurodegeneration, including programs targeting tau, alpha-synuclein, and lysosomal function. Comparable to Polku as a CNS-focused small molecule platform pursuing disease-modifying mechanisms in tauopathies and PD.

Broad incumbents

• Biogen: Large pharma with deep CNS franchise and active tau/AD programs (including lecanemab and follow-on tau assets). Comparable to Polku as a major player in neurodegeneration drug development and a likely acquirer/licensing partner for differentiated CNS assets.
• Eli Lilly: Large pharma with significant neurodegeneration investment, including tau-targeting antibodies (e.g., zagotenemab legacy program) and the recent Prevail Therapeutics gene therapy acquisition. Comparable as a major potential licensing partner for tau assets and a benchmark for CNS deal economics.
• UCB: Global biopharma with active CNS pipeline and tau antibody programs. Comparable to Polku as a strategic player in neurodegenerative therapeutics and a plausible out-licensing partner for differentiated CNS small molecule platforms.

Emerging players

• Cognition Therapeutics: Clinical-stage US biotech developing small molecule therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Comparable to Polku as a small molecule platform targeting intracellular CNS pathways in AD, though at a more advanced clinical stage.
• Cassava Sciences: US clinical-stage biotech developing small molecules (simufilam) for Alzheimer's disease. Comparable to Polku as a CNS small molecule platform pursuing disease modification in tauopathies, with a similar focus on intracellular mechanisms.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/polku-therapeutics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Polku Therapeutics