Rapport Therapeutics uses its RAP technology platform to identify receptor‑associated proteins (RAPs) and develop small‑molecule drugs that selectively bind these targets, delivering neuroanatomical and subunit specificity for CNS disorders. By focusing on precise modulation of receptors in defined brain regions, its programs—such as the TARPγ8‑selective AMPA‑receptor modulator RAP‑219 for focal epilepsy—aim to provide safer, more effective treatments for conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain, and hearing disorders.
Funding
$250M 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.
CAFounders
Product
Problem
Current central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics often lack molecular and anatomical specificity, leading to widespread receptor engagement across the brain and resulting in intolerable side effects for patients with disorders such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and bipolar disorder.
Solution
Rapport Therapeutics applies its RAP technology platform to map and target receptor‑associated proteins (RAPs) that regulate neuronal receptor complexes. By designing small‑molecule candidates that selectively bind to specific RAPs, the company creates precision medicines that act only in defined brain regions or cell types. This approach enables differentiated efficacy and improved tolerability compared with conventional CNS drugs that indiscriminately modulate receptors. The platform is being used to advance clinical‑stage programs such as RAP‑219, a TARPγ8‑selective AMPA‑receptor modulator for focal epilepsy, and discovery‑stage programs targeting α6 and α9α10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors for chronic pain and hearing disorders. Through rigorous preclinical validation and early‑phase clinical studies, Rapport aims to deliver safer, more effective treatments for large, underserved CNS patient populations.
Target Audience
Primary customers are pharmaceutical developers and clinical research programs focused on CNS indications such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as academic partners seeking precision‑targeted small‑molecule therapeutics.
Features
- RAP technology platform that identifies and exploits receptor‑associated proteins to achieve neuroanatomical and subunit specificity
- Small‑molecule design focused on selective binding to RAPs such as TARPγ8, enabling targeted modulation of AMPA receptors in hippocampus, amygdala, and cortex
- Clinical‑stage candidate RAP‑219 with demonstrated pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy signals in drug‑resistant focal seizures
- Discovery programs for α6 nAChR modulators (chronic pain) and α9α10 nAChR modulators (hearing disorders) leveraging the same precision approach
- Integrated preclinical and translational pipelines that assess regional expression, functional impact, and therapeutic index before advancing to human trials
- Collaboration with leading academic investigators and a scientific advisory board comprising Nobel laureates and experts in ion‑channel biology