The world of diagnostics is evolving, and Crownlands is at the forefront of this revolution. This biotech startup has emerged from stealth mode with a novel approach to understanding neurodegenerative diseases, leveraging the power of nasal swabs. Crownlands' unique selling point is its ability to provide a window into the molecular state of the brain through the olfactory epithelium, a patch of neurons and immune cells located high in the nose.
The olfactory epithelium shares striking similarities with brain neurons, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, olfactory tissue from individuals with Alzheimer's disease exhibits the same amyloid-β aggregates found in the brain. However, what sets olfactory neurons apart is their regenerative capacity. Unlike brain cells, which do not regenerate, olfactory neurons constantly turn over throughout life, providing an opportunity for longitudinal sampling.
Crownlands' researchers have developed a specialized swab to navigate the nasal passageway and reach the olfactory epithelium more effectively. This innovation has enabled them to collect and sequence samples from 202 individuals participating in clinical studies, including healthy volunteers and patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The result is a comprehensive transcriptomic atlas of the tissue, comprising single-cell transcriptomes from 4 million cells.
In a preprint study, Crownlands' scientists compared gene expression patterns in olfactory neurons to those in cerebrospinal fluid and blood, as well as neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. The olfactory neurons proved to be a closer match to the brain's gene expression patterns, offering a more accurate representation of the molecular state of the brain.
The analysis of samples from individuals with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease revealed well-known biomarkers for each disease in the olfactory tissue. Crownlands is now focusing on building large, longitudinal datasets through a clinical study on Alzheimer's disease, aiming to identify risk factors, biomarkers for disease progression, and ways to optimize clinical trials.
Founded in 2024, Crownlands has secured an undisclosed amount of funding from venture capital firms such as Caffeinated Capital, First Round Capital Holdings, and Scribble Ventures. This backing will enable the company to further develop its innovative approach to diagnostics and potentially revolutionize the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
