Modag

About Modag

MODAG GmbH operates as a German biotechnology firm focused on developing disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative disorders, particularly those characterized by the misfolding and aggregation of the alpha-synuclein protein. The company was founded in 2013, emerging from foundational research by its scientific co-founders, Professor Armin Giese of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Professor Christian Griesinger of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry. Their work, centered on protein aggregation's role in neurodegeneration, led to the discovery of the company's lead asset. Co-founders also include Dr. Torsten Matthias, who now serves as CEO, and Dr. Marcus Kostka. Giese, a board-certified neuropathologist, and Griesinger, a renowned chemist, combined their expertise in single-particle spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance, respectively, to identify and develop novel aggregation inhibitors.

The company's business model is centered on the clinical development and subsequent commercialization of its therapeutic candidates, a strategy underpinned by strong intellectual property protection. A pivotal moment in its financing history was a €12 million ($16.3M) Series A round in June 2019, led by Massa Investment AG, which enabled the company to exit stealth mode and advance its primary drug candidate into clinical trials. This funding was supplemented by grants from prominent patient advocacy groups, including The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. In a significant strategic move, MODAG entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing and development collaboration with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in October 2021 for its lead compounds.

MODAG's primary product candidate is emrusolmin (formerly anle138b), an orally administered small molecule designed to halt the progression of synucleinopathies. This compound targets the core pathology by binding to toxic oligomeric structures of alpha-synuclein, preventing the formation of new aggregates and dissolving existing ones. Its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and act directly on intracellular protein clumps is a key differentiator from antibody-based approaches. The initial clinical focus is on Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare and atypical form of Parkinsonism with no available disease-modifying treatments. The therapeutic potential of emrusolmin extends to the broader Parkinson's disease (PD) market and other related disorders. Following successful preclinical studies in animal models, which demonstrated a halt in disease progression and symptom alleviation, MODAG advanced emrusolmin into human trials. A Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers, completed in August 2020, showed an excellent safety and tolerability profile, clearing the way for patient trials now underway.