Will Therapeutics develops medicines that target the underlying biology of compulsive disorders, beginning with anorexia nervosa. Their approach uses a brain‑penetrant, small‑molecule acetylcholinesterase inhibitor protodrug that is inactive outside the brain, reducing peripheral side effects while restoring dopamine balance in the striatum. By focusing on a validated neural circuitry, the company aims to create the first targeted therapy for anorexia and extend the platform to other compulsive conditions.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Compulsive disorders such as anorexia nervosa lack approved therapies that address their underlying neurobiology, leading to high mortality and treatment that focuses on behavior rather than disease mechanisms.
Solution
Will Therapeutics is developing a brain‑penetrant small‑molecule acetylcholinesterase inhibitor designed to restore dopamine balance in the striatal circuitry that drives habit and compulsion. The compound is actively transported across the blood‑brain barrier and remains inactive in peripheral tissues, minimizing side effects while targeting the neural pathways implicated in anorexia nervosa. By correcting this dopamine imbalance, the therapy aims to reduce compulsive drive and enable patients to regain control over eating behaviors. The platform is built to extend this mechanism to other compulsive conditions, including OCD, addiction, and tic disorders, leveraging a validated biological target and patented molecular classes.
Target Audience
Primary customers are pharmaceutical partners and clinical research organizations focused on central nervous system disorders, as well as healthcare providers treating patients with anorexia nervosa and related compulsive disorders.
Features
- Small‑molecule acetylcholinesterase inhibitor engineered for active transport across the blood‑brain barrier
- Peripheral inactivity to reduce off‑target side effects
- Patent‑protected composition of matter across two molecular classes
- Pre‑clinical validation in both mouse and human models demonstrating target engagement
- Translational pipeline linking validated dopamine imbalance biology to clinical development