The Venture Codex

Participated · Seed · Feb 2025

CircNova develops a deep-learning AI platform called NovaEngine that the company says can predict circular RNA structures and design novel, non-coding circular RNAs for therapeutic use. The startup also operates a wet lab that produces physical circular RNA molecules for validation and research, including collaboration with the University of Michigan. Its platform can reportedly move between sequence and structure to reverse-engineer and design candidate molecules. Target indications the company cites include ovarian cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and rare genetic diseases. Cofounded by CEO Crystal Brown, CSO Joe Deangelo, and chief business officer William Grenawitzke, CircNova was founded in May 2023 and splits activity between Michigan and Boston to be near potential partners. The company has secured early grant funding (including an initial $15,000 grant and a $25,000 NSF grant that led to its first patent application) and recently closed a $3.3 million seed round to advance its platform and wet-lab capabilities.