Link Medicine

About Link Medicine

Link Medicine Corporation was a privately held biotechnology firm established in March 2005, with its headquarters in Cambridge, and later Waltham, Massachusetts. The company was founded based on the scientific work of Dr. Peter T. Lansbury, Jr., a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School who served as the Chief Scientific Officer. His research focused on protein misfolding and aggregation in neurodegeneration, a common element in disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The initial investment came from Edward I. Rudman, a Boston-based business executive and philanthropist.

The company's primary mission was to develop disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Rather than merely addressing symptoms, Link Medicine aimed to alter the course of these diseases by targeting the buildup of incorrectly folded and toxic proteins in nerve cells. This approach was considered a novel way to tackle these challenging disorders and could potentially be used as a standalone therapy or in combination with other medicines. By September 2008, the company had successfully raised a total of $56.5 million in equity financing through multiple rounds, with a significant $40 million Series C round co-led by Clarus Ventures and SV Life Sciences intended to move its preclinical programs into human clinical trials. Major investors included Clarus Ventures, SV Life Sciences, Biogen Idec New Ventures, and other private individuals. The company was ultimately acquired on July 12, 2012.