The Generative Brain

Gate Bioscience

California biotechnology company developing oral Molecular Gate small molecules; its prion program (MG-813) is led by Nina Oberbeck and collaborates with the Broad; a USD 65 million Series B in November 2025 did not name prion disease.

Key facts

  • Gate Bioscience is developing oral small-molecule Molecular Gates that eliminate prion protein; a lead compound lowered brain PrP by 80 percent after one week of daily dosing in mice; 2025 CJDF grant to test survival extension; collaboration with the Vallabh Minikel lab since 2021; presented at Prion 2024 (Nanchang) and the 2023 National CJD Conference (Melbourne).
  • Molecular Gates are oral small molecules that block a target protein's passage through the Sec61 secretory channel so it is degraded instead of secreted.
  • The Series B (November 2025) was led by Forbion with Eli Lilly joining and brought total capital to USD 135 million for IND-enabling studies and Phase 1 in inflammatory and neurological disease.
  • Gate says its prion therapeutic is in preclinical development and not yet ready for clinical trials.
  • A CJD Foundation 2025 grant funds the Broad lab to help test survival in a prion mouse model with Gate's lead compound.

Timeline

  1. 2021Collaboration with the Broad begins.
  2. 2025CJD Foundation records the survival-study grant.
  3. 2025Series B announced.
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