Pioneering astrocyte-targeted therapies for Parkinson’s
Technology Investment FundCurrent treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders only manage symptoms and fail to stop disease progression, leaving millions of patients without effective long-term solutions.
Cellestial Health is developing brain-permeable small molecule drugs that target astrocytes, an overlooked cell type critical to brain health.
Astrocytes make up around half of the brain’s cellular network (exact brain cell ratios vary based on brain regions) and play a vital role in maintaining neuronal health, regulating inflammation and clearing harmful proteins. In neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, these functions break down, accelerating disease progression. Current treatments focus almost exclusively on neurons and only manage symptoms, leaving a huge unmet need for disease-modifying therapies.
Cellestial Health’s pioneering approach restores astrocytic function to help rebalance brain networks, not only supporting neurons but also protecting astrocytic networks themselves which are essential for healthy brain function and regulation. Its lead candidate is designed to cross the blood–brain barrier and modulate astrocyte activity, offering a novel mechanism distinct from existing drugs. This strategy could transform treatment for Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions, improving quality of life for millions of patients worldwide.
“Our approach stems from the urgent need for treatments that go beyond symptom management in Parkinson’s. Patients and caregivers know too well that the existing drugs do not stop the disease from getting worse.”
Dr Hastings continued:
“By targeting astrocytes – essential brain cells that have traditionally been neglected in drug development, we’re opening new possibilities.”
Cellestial Health is a University of Cambridge spinout founded by Dr Nataly Hastings, building on her postdoctoral research in Clinical Neurosciences. The academic validation of the concept emerged from collaborations across Cambridge departments including Pharmacology, Chemistry and Engineering, where researchers identified astrocyte dysfunction as a critical driver of neurodegenerative disease and a promising therapeutic target.
Cellestial Health has raised £515,000 in pre-seed equity funding led by Zinc VC, with support from SFC Capital and Alma Angels, alongside over £340,000 in early-stage grant funding from Parkinson’s UK and Cambridge Enterprise. This includes funding from our Technology Investment Fund (TIF), further validating the strength of its science and commercial potential.
This early-stage grant funding excludes a recent award of £55,000 from Parkinson’s UK to deepen research into astrocyte networks, working with researchers at the University of Manchester. This builds on a previous collaboration with the University of Manchester, supported by a £20,000 pilot grant from the Wellcome Trust, bringing Cellestial Health’s total grant funding to more than £400,000.
This funding will accelerate preclinical development of its lead drug candidate and expand its astrocyte-targeted pipeline. The company’s long-term vision is to deliver disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions.
Their most recent milestone is the opening of a new Seed round which will enable completion of preclinical development and preparation for clinical trials, bringing Cellestial closer to delivering disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson’s and other conditions of the brain.
