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Elkedonia is a biotechnology company founded by the startup studio Argobio, chief executive officer Delphine Charvin, and scientific founder Jocelyne Caboche, operating from dual headquarters in Strasbourg, France, and Charleroi, Belgium. Leveraging research from Sorbonne University, the firm develops neuroplastogens that specifically target the Elk1 protein to restore neuroplasticity in patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction. This therapeutic approach aims to induce neuroplasticity without the adverse side effects, such as dependence, sedation, or psychotic effects, typically associated with classical antidepressants, ketamine, or traditional psychedelics. The enterprise also integrates biomarker technology for precision medicine to improve patient selection and monitor treatment efficacy across various patient demographics. In June 2025, the company secured 11.25 million euros in an oversubscribed seed funding round backed by institutional investors, including Angelini Ventures and CARMA Fund.
Elkedonia has raised $13.0M across 1 funding round.
Elkedonia has raised $13.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Elkedonia has raised $13.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Elkedonia's investors include Kurma Partners, Pontifax Venture Capital.
Elkedonia has raised $13.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $13.0M Seed in June 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2025 | $13M Seed | — | Kurma Partners, Pontifax Venture Capital | Announced |
Elkedonia is a Franco-Belgian biotech startup founded in 2025, developing first-in-class, non-hallucinogenic and non-addictive neuroplastogens targeting the intracellular Elk1 protein to treat treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and other neuropsychiatric disorders like PTSD and addiction.[1][2][3][7] The company serves patients unresponsive to existing antidepressants, addressing the gap where 1 in 3 depression sufferers do not respond to current therapies, by restoring neuroplasticity and reward pathways without psychedelic or ketamine side effects such as dependence, sedation, or hallucinations.[2][3][7] In June 2025, Elkedonia closed an oversubscribed €11.25 million seed round co-led by Kurma Partners, WE Life Sciences, and the French Tech Seed fund, with participation from Angelini Ventures, CARMA Fund, Capital Grand Est, Sambrinvest, and Argobio, funding advancement of its lead program and companion biomarkers for precision medicine.[1][2][4][7]
Headquartered in Strasbourg, France, with an affiliate in Charleroi, Belgium, Elkedonia emphasizes fast-acting, accessible treatments to reduce suicide risk and relapse, guided by core values of Innovation, Commitment, Ambition, Resilience, and Empathy ("I CARE").[2][3]
Elkedonia was founded and incubated in 2025 by Argobio, a Paris-based international biotech startup studio that transforms cutting-edge academic research into companies, marking Argobio's first portfolio startup to secure external seed financing.[1][2][4][7] The idea emerged from translational research by Dr. Jocelyne Caboche, PhD, Director of Research at CNRS at Sorbonne University, focusing on the novel intracellular target Elk1 in reward brain circuits and neuroplasticity—mechanisms disrupted in depression and related disorders.[1][7]
Delphine Charvin, CEO and Co-Founder, previously an Operating Partner at Argobio, leads the effort, building on Argobio's model of partnering with European academic institutions in neuroscience, immunology, and oncology.[1][7] Early traction came swiftly with the €11.25 million seed round in June 2025, validating the approach and enabling program progression.[1][2]
Elkedonia rides the wave of neuroplasticity-focused therapies in mental health biotech, targeting a $20+ billion TRD market amid rising global depression affecting 300 million people, exacerbated by post-pandemic mental health crises and unmet needs in youth suicide prevention (third leading cause of death for ages 15-29).[3][7] Timing aligns with advances in precision psychiatry and biomarker tech, fueled by investor interest in non-psychedelic alternatives to ketamine/esketamine amid regulatory scrutiny on hallucinogens.[1][2][4]
Market forces like Europe's biotech hubs (Wallonia, France) and collaborative funding (Bpifrance, regional VCs) favor Elkedonia, positioning it to influence the ecosystem by validating Argobio's studio model for academic spinouts in neuroscience.[1][7] It accelerates translation of undruggable targets into therapies, potentially reshaping TRD treatment paradigms.
Elkedonia's seed funding positions it to nominate a development candidate for its Elk1 neuroplastogen and advance biomarkers into preclinical/clinical stages, with potential expansion to PTSD and addiction.[2][7] Trends like AI-driven drug discovery, precision biomarkers, and demand for safer psychotropics will propel growth, especially as TRD prevalence rises globally.
Its influence may evolve by pioneering non-psychedelic neuroplastogens, inspiring more academic-to-biotech pipelines via Argobio, and delivering breakthrough relief for millions—transforming Elkedonia from seed-stage pioneer to a leader in accessible mental health innovation.[1][3][4]
