Key points from article :
Circular Genomics, a brain-health diagnostics company based in San Diego, has raised $15 million in Series A funding to advance a new blood test designed to detect Alzheimer’s disease early—potentially even before symptoms appear. The effort is led by CEO Paul Sargeant and builds on growing demand for accessible biomarkers as new Alzheimer’s therapies make early diagnosis more valuable than ever. The company is presenting related data at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) Conference.
The company focuses on circular RNAs (circRNAs), a highly stable class of RNA molecules formed in a closed loop. These molecules are abundant in the brain, reflect changes in neuronal activity and, crucially, can cross the blood–brain barrier. Because circRNAs remain intact in the bloodstream, they offer a non-invasive way to monitor biological processes linked to Alzheimer’s and other neurological or psychiatric disorders. Circular Genomics uses machine-learning models to analyze hundreds of circRNA signals at once, producing a detailed snapshot of the molecular pathways involved in disease.
This approach aims to close a major diagnostic gap: Alzheimer’s pathology often develops years before memory loss becomes noticeable. By capturing early disruptions in pathways such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, synaptic health, and amyloid and tau regulation, circRNA signatures may help identify individuals at risk long before cognitive symptoms arise. Early studies from Circular Genomics suggest these signatures can predict disease progression and classify clinical status with promising accuracy.
With the newly secured funding—backed by Mountain Group Partners, Poplar Grove Investors, the HIP Fund, and the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation—the company plans to expand clinical validation, enhance its technology, and build research and commercial partnerships. Ultimately, the goal is to bring a next-generation diagnostic to market that gives clinicians a clearer, earlier view of Alzheimer’s biology and helps guide timely intervention.
