Umecrine Cognition

About Umecrine Cognition

Umecrine Cognition is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, established in 2006, that develops treatments for neurological disorders caused by neuroinflammation. The company originated from research conducted at Umeå University by its founder, Professor Torbjörn Bäckström, a pioneer in the study of neurosteroids and their effect on the GABA system. Bäckström has served on the board since the company's inception.

The company's primary focus is on its lead drug candidate, golexanolone (formerly GR3027), a first-in-class small molecule that acts as a GABAA receptor-modulating steroid antagonist. It is being developed to treat cognitive and neurological symptoms associated with chronic liver diseases, such as Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) and Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). These conditions often lead to debilitating symptoms like impaired cognition, severe fatigue, and reduced alertness due to an overactivated GABA system in the brain. Golexanolone aims to normalize brain signaling to alleviate these symptoms.

Umecrine Cognition operates by advancing its drug candidates through clinical trials, with a strategy to partner with larger pharmaceutical companies for commercialization and marketing. The company is targeting indications with significant unmet medical needs and large patient populations, where few or no approved pharmacological treatments exist. Its lead candidate, golexanolone, is currently in Phase 1b/2a clinical trials for PBC and has completed a Phase 2 study for HE, showing it was well-tolerated and improved cognition. The company has also received a grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation to explore golexanolone's potential for Parkinson's disease.

Headquartered in Solna, Sweden, the company is primarily backed by its largest shareholder, Karolinska Development, along with other investors including Ribbskottet AB and AB Ility. As a clinical-stage company, its business model is centered on research and development, funded through equity financing and convertible loans, with total funding reaching over $18.3M.