Oryon Cell Therapies, a clinical-stage biotech company based in Belmont, MA, is developing neuron replacement treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other brain disorders and has raised an additional $21M in its Series A funding round.
The company saw the inclusion of investor Neuro.VC, Byers Capital, and others.
The funding round brings its total equity and grant funding to $42 million.
The company plans to use the funds to finish its Phase 1b/2a clinical trial, scale up manufacturing, and work with regulators to move toward a Phase 3 trial.
The company also announced that Dr Ron Cohen has been appointed as CEO. He is an experienced biopharmaceutical leader with 30 years of success in developing, approving, and launching new medicines.
Oryon’s therapy uses a patient’s own blood cells, which are turned into stem cells and then developed into the specific brain neurons lost in Parkinson’s disease. These neurons are implanted into the part of the brain linked to movement. Because the cells are derived from the patient, there is no need for immunosuppressant drugs.
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“Oryon’s program is based on 30 years of progress in stem cell science and brain surgery, including key Parkinson’s research from Harvard University and Mass General Brigham,” said Ole Isacson, co-founder of Oryon. “Our recent milestones show how far we’ve come in moving this work from the lab to patients, and they will help us move faster in development.”
Dr Cohen said, “Before joining Oryon, I spent over 30 years working with scientists, doctors, and patients to treat neurological diseases like Parkinson’s. Early results from Oryon show improvements in movement and brain activity, which is very exciting for me as a doctor and drug developer.”
Phase 1b/2a results were presented at the AD/PD 2026 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases.
Oryon’s main program is being tested in a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Results from the study were shared on March 21, 2026, at the AD/PD 2026 conference by Penelope Hallett, PhD.
About Oryon Cell Therapies
Founded by Ron Cohen, M.D., Nikola Kojic, M.D.-Ph.D., and Ole Isacson, M.D.-Ph.D., Oryon Cell Therapies is a clinical stage biotech company developing cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases starting with Parkinson’s. The company’s technology aims to replace lost neurons, restore brain function, and improve movement.
About Ron Cohen, M.D.
Before joining Oryon, Dr Ron Cohen was CEO and founder of Acorda Therapeutics, a biotech company developing treatments for nervous system disorders, including Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. He also held leadership roles at Advanced Tissue Sciences and served as Chair of the boards of BIO and the New York Biotechnology Association, advocating for the biotech industry.
Dr Cohen has received numerous awards, including the NY CEO Lifetime Achievement Award, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and recognition from PharmaVOICE as one of the 100 Most Inspirational People in Biopharma. He earned an M.D. from Columbia University, a B.A. in psychology from Princeton, completed a residency at the University of Virginia, and is board-certified in Internal Medicine.
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