Modulight.bio

About Modulight.bio

Modulight Biotherapeutics, founded in 2022, is a clinical-stage company focused on developing a precision neuromodulation platform to address severe neurological disorders. The company was co-founded by Ofir Levi, PhD (Chairman of the Board), Yotam Eldar, MD (CEO), and Ofer Yizhar, PhD (Chief Scientific Officer), who bring together expertise in science, engineering, and clinical practice. Their leadership is complemented by a seasoned team and a robust scientific advisory board featuring prominent academics from institutions like Stanford, Harvard, and the Hebrew University.

The core of the company's strategy is an optogenetics-based platform that aims for precise, synapse-level modulation of pathological neural activity. This technology uses gene therapy to introduce light-sensitive proteins, known as opsins, into specific neurons. The lead therapeutic agent, eOPN3, is a novel G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) opsin developed at the Weizmann Institute of Science, which, when activated by light, silences overactive neural signals without affecting healthy neurons. This approach allows for on-demand restoration of balance in brain circuits, potentially offering a fast-acting treatment with fewer side effects than traditional, systemic therapies.

Modulight.bio is initially targeting debilitating neuropathic pain, specifically trigeminal neuropathic pain, as its first indication for clinical studies, viewing it as a significant unmet need and a multi-billion dollar market opportunity for non-opioid therapies. The company's pipeline also extends to other conditions driven by excessive brain activity, such as drug-resistant epilepsy and movement disorders, with preclinical studies showing promising results. The platform is designed to be disease mechanism-agnostic, enabling its application across a wide range of neurological conditions.

Having secured $6.7 million in early-stage funding from investors including Nexus NeuroTech Ventures, Jibe Ventures, and Phoenix Court, Modulight.bio has established in vivo proof-of-concept across multiple disease models. The company's business strategy involves targeting rare neurological indications first to potentially achieve an expedited regulatory pathway before expanding to larger markets. Revenue generation is planned through strategic partnerships, out-licensing, and eventual commercialization of its therapies. To advance its programs, the company is preparing for IND-enabling studies and a Series A funding round to support preclinical and first-in-human trials, supported by collaborations with the Mayo Clinic, Sheba Medical Center, and Harvard.