# Oryon Cell Therapies

> Oryon Cell Therapies is a Belmont, Massachusetts clinical-stage biotechnology company developing autologous neuron replacement medicines for Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Spun out of research at the Neuroregeneration Research Institute at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Oryon converts a patient's own blood cells into induced pluripotent stem cells, then differentiates them into dopamine-producing A9 neurons that are implanted into the brain to restore lost dopaminergic function - without immune suppression. The company emerged from stealth in March 2026 with a $21M Series A tranche ($42M total in equity and grants) and early Phase 1b/2a data showing motor improvements and neuroimaging evidence of restored dopamine signaling.

- **Founded:** 2020
- **Headquarters:** Belmont, Massachusetts, United States
- **Founders:** Ole Isacson (Co-Founder & Scientific Founder (Founding Director, Neuroregeneration Research Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School)), Nikola Kojic (Co-Founder (M.D., Ph.D.)), Penelope Hallett (Scientific Founder / Co-Director, Neuroregeneration Research Institute)
- **Team size:** Small (reported ~2 employees per data record; backed by collaborators across Mass General Brigham and the Neuroregeneration Research Institute)
- **Products:** Autologous Dopaminergic Neuron Replacement Therapy (lead program), Neurodegeneration platform
- **Notable:** Emerged from stealth in March 2026 with $21M Series A tranche and $42M total raised., Reported Phase 1b/2a data showing sustained motor improvements (bradykinesia, rigidity, gait) in people with Parkinson's disease., Demonstrated neuroimaging evidence of restored dopaminergic signaling - DaT signal in one implanted putamen increased more than five-fold at six months versus baseline.

## Products & services

- **Autologous Dopaminergic Neuron Replacement Therapy (lead program)** — A patient's own blood cells are reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), then differentiated into fully developed A9 dopamine-producing neurons. These neurons are surgically implanted into the putamen to restore dopaminergic signaling lost in Parkinson's disease. Because the cells are derived from the patient, no immune suppression is required.
- **Neurodegeneration platform** — A broader autologous cell-engineering platform intended to extend neuron replacement approaches to other neurodegenerative disorders beyond Parkinson's disease.

## Achievements

- Emerged from stealth in March 2026 with $21M Series A tranche and $42M total raised.
- Reported Phase 1b/2a data showing sustained motor improvements (bradykinesia, rigidity, gait) in people with Parkinson's disease.
- Demonstrated neuroimaging evidence of restored dopaminergic signaling - DaT signal in one implanted putamen increased more than five-fold at six months versus baseline.
- Several trial participants reduced their levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD).
- Recruited Ron Cohen, M.D. (founder/former CEO of Acorda Therapeutics) as CEO.
- Presented interim data at the AD/PD 2026 international conference on March 21, 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Emerged from stealth; closed a $21M Series A tranche bringing total funding to $42M in equity and grants.
- **2026-03** — Appointed Ron Cohen, M.D. (Acorda Therapeutics founder) as Chief Executive Officer.
- **2026-03** — Reported Phase 1b/2a data showing sustained motor improvements and DaT imaging evidence of restored dopaminergic signaling; presented at AD/PD 2026 on March 21.

## Links

- Website: https://oryoncelltherapies.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/oryon-cell-therapies

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Last updated: 2026-06-13