Indianapolis-based Syndeio Biosciences has launched with over $90 million in funding to develop precision neurotherapeutics focused on repairing and enhancing synaptic function in central nervous system (CNS) diseases.
Syndeio is backed by funding from a syndicate of leading life science investors, including Catalio Capital Management and Innoviva, and participation from Tenmile, Luson Bioventures, and Palo Santo, with AbbVie and Lilly as strategic shareholders.
The company’s clinical-stage pipeline and proprietary R&D platform are built on discoveries in synapse biology and translational biomarkers, with a mission to transform treatment for patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD), Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and other synaptopathies (diseases rooted in synaptic dysfunction).
Syndeio’s lead candidate, an oral tablet known as zelquistinel, is currently being evaluated in a phase 2 study for MDD, which is enrolling across nearly 30 sites in the U.S. It will soon enter a first-of-its-kind synaptic function biomarker trial in Alzheimer’s disease. Zelquistinel harnesses a potential best-in-class novel mechanism for rapidly and durably enhancing synaptic strength and plasticity and has demonstrated promising clinical activity and mechanistic biomarker effects in prior trials.
The company is additionally advancing apimostinel, an investigational therapy for acute treatment of MDD, in an investigator-led phase 2a clinical study in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh.