Asha Therapeutics uses its physics‑driven PRISM™ platform to design de novo small‑molecule inhibitors that target key regulators of neuronal degeneration. By creating intramolecular‑glue SARM1 inhibitors and brain‑penetrant DRP1 inhibitors, the company aims to develop disease‑modifying therapies for ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and chemotherapy‑induced neuropathy, advancing candidates toward IND‑enabling studies.
Funding
$1.4M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
CRFounders
Product
Problem
Neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and chemotherapy‑induced peripheral neuropathy lack disease‑modifying therapies that can halt or reverse neuronal loss, leading to progressive disability and high unmet medical need.
Solution
Asha Therapeutics applies a physics‑driven, de novo drug design platform called PRISM™ to create highly selective small‑molecule inhibitors that target key regulators of neuronal degeneration. The company has generated intramolecular‑glue inhibitors of SARM1 to block axonal degeneration in ALS and chemotherapy‑induced neuropathy, and brain‑penetrant DRP1 inhibitors to restore mitochondrial homeostasis in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. These candidates are advanced toward IND‑enabling studies, aiming to provide disease‑modifying treatments that directly address the underlying cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration.
Target Audience
Primary customers are biopharmaceutical companies and research institutions seeking partner‑driven discovery of disease‑modifying therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders, as well as investors focused on advanced neuroscience pipelines.
Features
- PRISM™ platform uses proprietary algorithms and advanced physics‑based simulations to assess targetability, design de novo compounds, and predict drug‑like properties before synthesis.
- Intramolecular‑glue SARM1 inhibitors (e.g., ASHA‑624) demonstrate restoration of motor function in preclinical ALS models and near‑complete pain relief in chemotherapy‑induced neuropathy models.
- Brain‑penetrant DRP1 inhibitors (e.g., ASHA‑091) normalize mitochondrial dynamics, improving neuronal survival in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease models.
- IND‑enabling development pipeline includes rigorous preclinical efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic profiling to accelerate clinical translation.
- Platform enables rapid iteration of chemical structures, reducing synthesis cycles and de‑risking early‑stage drug discovery.