Damona Pharmaceuticals is developing therapies that restore synaptic connections between brain cells to reverse cognitive deficits, which impair understanding, memory, and clear thinking. By targeting the underlying mechanisms of cognitive impairment, the company aims to enhance cognitive function for patients affected by these conditions.
Funding
$5.5M 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.
Founders
Product
Problem
Cognitive deficits, characterized by impairments in understanding, memory, and clear thinking, arise from the loss of synaptic connections between brain cells. These deficits significantly impact the lives of individuals affected by neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Current treatment options are limited, leaving a substantial unmet need for therapies that can restore cognitive function.
Solution
Damona Pharmaceuticals is developing a pipeline of small-molecule therapeutics designed to restore synaptic connections and reverse cognitive deficits associated with CNS disorders. Their lead program, DPX-101, is a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) that selectively targets the α5-GABA-A receptor to augment its function and restore contacts between neurons. DPX-101's subtype specificity is expected to provide sustained efficacy while minimizing the side effects associated with less-targeted GABA-A modulators. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that DPX-101 improves working memory deficits and prevents neuronal shrinkage and spine loss in models of Alzheimer's disease, as well as producing pro-cognitive and antidepressant effects in models of major depressive disorder.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes individuals suffering from cognitive deficits associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as those with psychiatric disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD) who experience cognitive impairment.
Features
- DPX-101: A precision-targeted, best-in-class positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the α5-GABA-A receptor.
- Disease-modifying potential: Demonstrated prevention of neuronal shrinkage and spine loss in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease.
- Cognitive enhancement: Improved working memory deficits in animal models.
- Psychiatric benefits: Robust pro-cognitive and antidepressant effects observed in preclinical models of major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Subtype specificity: Highly targeted mechanism designed to minimize side effects associated with α1-selective modulators of GABA-A.