Fundraising FoxAcuraStem
Pasadena, US · Founded 2016 · Delaware corporation · 2 known investors
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AcuraStem is a biotechnology company developing antisense oligonucleotide treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and frontotemporal dementia, using its iNeuroRx technology platform for disease modeling and drug discovery. It targets PIKFYVE, discovered by its co-founders, to advance a pipeline of therapies.
Founders & leadership
AcuraStem was founded in 2016 by Justin Ichida and Sam Alworth.
SA
Sam AlworthCo-founder · Chief Executive OfficerHe has over 20 years of experience in life sciences including research and drug development, and previously led development of AI-enabled drug discovery software that was acquired by Leica.
RB
Robert BowserChief Scientific Officer
Board
QL
Qing Liu-MichaelBoard director
PA
Paul AugustBoard director
Investors · 2
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$3.9M disclosed across 3 of 6 rounds · 2018–2026
▶$5MofferedJun 2026 · BiotechnologyRule 506(b)
▶$5MofferedJun 2026 · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- Samuel AlworthExecutive Officer, Director
- Qing Liu-MichaelDirector
- Paul AugustDirector
- Marcel van der BrugExecutive Officer
- Justin IchidaDirector
- Offering amount
- $5M
- Minimum investment
- $10K
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$3.1MraisedNov 2022 · 1 investors · BiotechnologyRule 506(b)
▶$3.1MraisedNov 2022 · 1 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- Justin IchidaDirector
- Samuel AlworthExecutive Officer, Director
- Paul AugustDirector
- Qing Liu-MichaelDirector
- Offering amount
- $3.1M
- Amount sold
- $3.1M
- Minimum investment
- $25K
- First sale
- Nov 2022
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$400KraisedNov 2022 · 1 investors · BiotechnologyRule 506(b)
▶$400KraisedNov 2022 · 1 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- Paul AugustDirector
- Justin IchidaDirector
- Samuel AlworthExecutive Officer, Director
- Qing Liu-MichaelDirector
- Offering amount
- $3.5M
- Amount sold
- $400K
- Minimum investment
- $25K
- First sale
- Nov 2022
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$380KraisedJun 2019 · 1 investors · BiotechnologyRule 506(b)
▶$380KraisedJun 2019 · 1 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
- Samuel AlworthExecutive Officer, Director
- Paul AugustDirector
- Justin IchidaExecutive Officer, Director
- Qing Liu-MichaelDirector
- Offering amount
- $2M
- Amount sold
- $380K
- Minimum investment
- $25K
- Proceeds to insiders
- $150K
- First sale
- Jun 2018
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2016
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
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Companies working in the same space as AcuraStem.
Non-dilutive funding · 6 SBIR/STTR awards
Federal grants — no equity taken| Agency | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health | Phase II | 2023 | $1.5M |
| National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health | Phase II | 2023 | $1.4M |
| National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health | Phase II | 2021 | $2.6M |
| National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health | Phase II | 2019 | $3M |
| National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health | Phase I | 2018 | $433.1K |
| National Institutes of Health (NIH)National Institutes of Health | Phase I | 2017 | $224.9K |
Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.
In the news
Frequently asked questions
- What does AcuraStem do?
- AcuraStem is a biotechnology company developing antisense oligonucleotide treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and frontotemporal dementia, using its iNeuroRx technology platform for disease modeling and drug discovery. It targets PIKFYVE, discovered by its co-founders, to advance a pipeline of therapies.
- Who founded AcuraStem?
- AcuraStem was founded by Justin Ichida, Sam Alworth in 2016.
- Who are AcuraStem's investors?
- AcuraStem's investors include CANTILEVER INVESTORS, Keiretsu Forum.
- How much funding has AcuraStem raised?
- AcuraStem has disclosed $3.9M raised across 3 of its 6 known rounds.
- Where is AcuraStem headquartered?
- AcuraStem is headquartered in Pasadena, US.