Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals, a Cambridge, MA-based developer of therapies to slow the progression of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, received $5M in private equity funding. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company made the investment.
Aquinnah Pharmaceutical’s approach is unique by integrating human genetic, human pathology and cellular biology R&D expertise, towards the development of a new therapeutic approach. Our approach has the potential to treat the majority of patients with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Their world class team of scientists have the expertise and knowledge to develop a new “first in class” therapeutic drug based on known genetic mutations that are the cause of ALS in patients, and with associated pathology in the majority of patients.
Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals is focused on ALS based on an exciting new area of research involving stress granules and other mechanisms of action believed to be important in the pathology of ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. Aquinnah builds on the groundbreaking work of founder Benjamin Wolozin, MD, PhD, 2013 recipient of the prestigious Zenith Fellows Award and previous chairman of the National Institutes of Health Cellular and Molecular Biology Neurodegeneration Study Section.