Syndesi Therapeutics

About Syndesi Therapeutics

Syndesi Therapeutics was a clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, dedicated to developing novel treatments for cognitive impairment. Established in 2017 as a corporate spinoff from the biopharmaceutical major UCB, Syndesi focused on a unique class of small molecules that modulate the synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A). Its lead asset, SDI-118, was designed to enhance synaptic efficiency directly at the nerve terminal, addressing the underlying synaptic dysfunction common in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and major depression.

The company’s rapid growth trajectory culminated in a landmark acquisition by AbbVie in March 2022. Valued at up to $1 billion, the deal included a $130 million upfront payment with potential milestone payments reaching $870 million, validating the high strategic value of Syndesi’s "first-in-class" mechanism. Prior to this exit, Syndesi had secured a €17 million Series A backed by a robust syndicate including Novo Holdings, Fountain Healthcare Partners, and Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JJDC), positioning it as a standout example of successful corporate venture building in the European life sciences sector.

Syndesi Therapeutics serves as a prime case study of effective technology transfer between a large pharmaceutical incumbent (UCB) and an agile startup structure. By rapidly advancing the SDI-118 program through early clinical validation (Phase 1b), the team successfully attracted a global heavy hitter in neuroscience, delivering a significant return to its investors while accelerating the potential delivery of new cognitive therapies to patients.