This page catalogs biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies developing neurogenesis, neuroregeneration, and neural repair therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). These approaches aim to stimulate the brain's natural regenerative capacity, replace lost neurons, or enhance synaptic plasticity to restore cognitive function.
| Approach | Description | Companies |
|----------|-------------|-----------|
| Stem Cell-Derived Neurons | Transplantation of stem cell-derived neurons to replace lost cells | SanBio, Cynata Therapeutics, BlueRock |
| Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy | MSC-based approaches for neuroprotection and immunomodulation | Hope Biomedical, Living Cell Technologies, Kinexx |
| Neurotrophic Factor Delivery | BDNF, NGF, GDNF delivery to support neuron survival | Athira Pharma, PharmaEssentia, BrainStorm |
| Endogenous Neurogenesis Activation | Small molecules or biologics to activate neural stem cells | Neuralstem, CytoDyn |
| iPSC-Derived Neural Cells | Patient-specific iPSC-derived neurons and glia | Aspen Neuroscience, Sana Biotechnology |
Status: Phase 2 (AD program)
SanBio is a Japanese biotechnology company developing SB623, a stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cell product. Originally developed for traumatic brain injury and stroke, SB623 is being evaluated for AD based on its neuroprotective and regenerative properties.
Status: Preclinical (AD program)
Cynata Therapeutics is an Australian stem cell company developing Cymerus™ technology, a proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) platform. The company is exploring Cymerus-MSCs for AD based on their immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties.
Status: Preclinical (AD program)
BlueRock Therapeutics, a Bayer company, is developing hESC-derived neuronal progenitor cells for multiple neurological indications including AD. Their platform focuses on replacing lost hippocampal neurons to restore memory function.
Status: Phase 1/2 (PD/AD program)
Hope Biomedical is a Taiwanese company developing MSC-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Their autologous and allogeneic MSC products are being evaluated for neuroprotection and immunomodulation in AD.
Status: Completed Phase 1 (PD), Preclinical (AD)
Living Cell Technologies (LCT) is a New Zealand company developing NTCELL®, a porcine-derived encapsuled choroid plexus cells that secrete cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neurotrophic factors. Originally developed for PD, the approach has potential for AD.
Status: Preclinical
Kinexx is a Japanese company developing allogeneic MSC therapies for CNS disorders. Their KNC-001 product is being evaluated for neuroprotective effects in AD models.
Status: Phase 2
Athira Pharma is developing ATH-1105, a small molecule designed to activate the HGF/MET pathway to promote neurogenesis, neuronal survival, and synaptic function in AD.
Status: Phase 1/2
PharmaEssentia is developing PEGylated BDNF (PEG-BDNF) for neuroprotection in AD. BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) is a critical neurotrophin that supports neuron survival and synaptic plasticity.
Status: Preclinical
BrainStorm's NurOwn® platform uses mesenchymal stem cells that are engineered to secrete high levels of neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF, NGF). The platform is being evaluated for AD.
Status: Phase 1 (completed), Discovery (AD)
Neuralstem's NSI-566 is a neural stem cell therapy that was previously tested in stroke and ALS trials. The company is exploring the use of NSI-566 for AD through neurotrophic factor secretion and endogenous neurogenesis stimulation.
Status: Discovery
CytoDyn is investigating leronlimab (CCR5 antagonist) for effects on neurogenesis in AD. CCR5 is involved in neural stem cell migration and differentiation.
Status: Preclinical (AD program)
Aspen Neuroscience is developing autologous iPSC-derived neural cells for AD. Their platform uses patient-specific iPSCs to generate cholinergic neurons for basal forebrain replacement.
Status: Preclinical
Sana Biotechnology is developing hypoimmunogenic iPSC-derived neural cells for CNS disorders including AD. Their platform focuses on immune-evasive cells to avoid immunosuppression requirements.
| Company | Approach | Development Stage | Key Target |
|---------|----------|-------------------|------------|
| SanBio | Modified MSCs (SB623) | Phase 2 | Neuroprotection |
| Cynata Therapeutics | iPSC-derived MSCs | Preclinical | Immunomodulation |
| BlueRock Therapeutics | hESC neurons | Preclinical | Hippocampal neurons |
| Hope Biomedical | Autologous/allogeneic MSCs | Phase 1/2 | Neuroprotection |
| Living Cell Technologies | Encapsulated choroid plexus | Preclinical | Neurotrophic support |
| Kinexx | Allogeneic MSCs | Preclinical | Neuroprotection |
| Athira Pharma | HGF mimetic (ATH-1105) | Phase 2 | Neurogenesis |
| PharmaEssentia | PEGylated BDNF | Phase 1/2 | Cholinergic support |
| BrainStorm | MSC-NTF cells | Preclinical | Neurotrophic support |
| Neuralstem | Neural stem cells | Discovery | Neurogenesis |
| CytoDyn | CCR5 antagonist | Discovery | Neurogenesis |
| Aspen Neuroscience | Autologous iPSC neurons | Preclinical | Cholinergic neurons |
| Sana Biotechnology | iPSC neural cells | Preclinical | Multiple CNS |
| Company | Product | Phase | NCT Number | Status |
|---------|---------|-------|------------|--------|
| SanBio | SB623 | Phase 2 | NCT05470179 | Recruiting |
| Athira Pharma | ATH-1105 | Phase 2 | NCT05635409 | Recruiting |
Companies are exploring GDNF family ligands for their potent neuroprotective effects on cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons. Delivery methods include viral vector-mediated gene therapy and protein delivery.
Small molecule BDNF mimetics represent an emerging approach to enhance synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival without requiring protein delivery.
Several companies are developing small molecules that target pathways involved in adult hippocampal neurogenesis, including: