Pamela Shaw
Co-Founder
Keapstone Therapeutics
The startup develops small molecule activators that inhibit the KEAP1-Nrf2 interaction, enhancing redox balance and mitochondrial function in Parkinson's patients. This approach promotes autophagy and reduces inflammation, contributing to improved cellular defense mechanisms and overall quality of life for individuals with Parkinson's disease.
- Biotechnology
Updated 21 months ago
Funding
Raised to date
$3.1MRaised 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.
Funding rounds are not available yet.
Founders
Richard Mead
Co-Founder
Product
Problem
Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are neurodegenerative diseases with limited effective treatments. Current therapies often fail to address the underlying cellular dysfunction that contributes to disease progression. There is a need for novel therapeutics that can enhance neuroprotection and improve cellular defense mechanisms.
Solution
Keapstone Therapeutics is developing a new class of small molecule activators targeting the KEAP1-Nrf2 pathway to provide neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease and ALS. These CNS penetrant molecules are designed to inhibit the interaction between KEAP1 and Nrf2, thereby promoting the translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus. Once in the nucleus, Nrf2 activates a range of cellular defense pathways, including those that improve redox balance and mitochondrial function, promote autophagy, and limit inflammation. This approach allows for the simultaneous targeting of multiple pathways with a single therapeutic agent, offering a potentially more effective strategy for combating neurodegeneration.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes individuals suffering from Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as pharmaceutical companies and research institutions focused on developing novel treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
Features
- Small molecule activators designed to disrupt the KEAP1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction.
- CNS penetrant compounds for effective targeting of the central nervous system.
- Activation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway, leading to increased expression of antioxidant and cytoprotective genes.
- Enhancement of redox balance and mitochondrial function within neuronal cells.
- Promotion of autophagy to clear damaged proteins and organelles.
- Reduction of inflammation, a key driver of neurodegeneration.