Montara Therapeutics, a San Francisco-based biotech company focused on brain-selective therapies for CNS diseases, has closed an oversubscribed $20 million seed funding expansion, bringing its total seed funding to $28 million. The  round saw continued support from existing investors like SV Health Investors’ Dementia Discovery Fund and Two Bear Capital, as well as new backing from BEVC.

The funds will support advancing its lead epilepsy program to IND, progressing its neurodegeneration programme to development candidate stage, and accelerating a third, undisclosed project. Montara’s proprietary BrainOnly platform enhances the safety and efficacy of CNS-targeted therapies by reducing peripheral side effects and improving dosing.