NeuroGenetic Pharmaceuticals

NeuroGenetic Pharmaceuticals (NGP), Inc. was a privately held biopharmaceutical company founded in 2009 with a focus on developing therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease. The company was led by President and CEO Dr. William T. Comer. While information on other founders is not readily available, Dr. William K. Seltzer, who has an extensive background in neurogenetics and clinical diagnostics from institutions like Athena Diagnostics and Blueprint Genetics, appears to have been associated with the company, bringing relevant expertise in the field.

The company's primary business was in the drug discovery and development sector, specifically targeting neurodegenerative disorders. Its business model centered on identifying and advancing clinical candidates through the preclinical and clinical trial phases to eventually obtain regulatory approval for commercialization. NGP's core strategy involved raising capital through venture funding and government grants to finance its research and development operations. The company successfully raised at least $4.4 million through various funding rounds, including investments from Abbott Biotech Ventures and grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

NGP's lead product candidate was NGP 555, a 'first in class' small molecule designed as a gamma-secretase modulator (GSM). The therapeutic works by altering the production of amyloid-beta proteins in the brain, shifting from the toxic form (Aβ42) associated with plaque formation in Alzheimer's patients to non-toxic forms. This mechanism was intended to prevent the neuronal cell death and cognitive decline characteristic of the disease. In September 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved NGP's Investigational New Drug (IND) application, allowing the company to commence Phase I human clinical trials for NGP 555 by the end of that year. The trials aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of the compound in healthy volunteers. Despite these developments, corporate filings indicate that NeuroGenetic Pharmaceuticals went out of business around December 2022.

Keywords: neurodegenerative drugs, Alzheimer's disease treatment, gamma-secretase modulator, NGP 555, clinical trials, biopharmaceutical, drug discovery, amyloid pathway, neurotherapeutics, venture-backed pharma, IND application, William T. Comer, Abbott Biotech Ventures, National Institutes of Health grant, preclinical development, Phase I trial, amyloid plaques, dementia prevention, brain health, neurological disorders