Overview
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Synchronicity Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel therapies that target circadian rhythm dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in San Diego, California, the company focuses on restoring biological clock function as a strategy to improve both motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
Scientific Rationale
Circadian Dysfunction in PD Circadian rhythm disturbances are nearly universal in Parkinson's disease:
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Overview
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
Synchronicity Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing novel therapies that target circadian rhythm dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in San Diego, California, the company focuses on restoring biological clock function as a strategy to improve both motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
Scientific Rationale
Circadian Dysfunction in PD Circadian rhythm disturbances are nearly universal in Parkinson's disease:
Melatonin suppression : Reduced melatonin secretion in PD patientsBody temperature dysregulation : Abnormal circadian temperature rhythmsSleep fragmentation : Disrupted sleep-wake cyclesCortisol dysregulation : Altered HPA axis circadian patternsThese disturbances correlate with:
Worse motor outcomes
Increased cognitive decline
Reduced quality of life
Increased mortality
Therapeutic Approach Synchronicity's approach involves:
Clock gene modulation : Small molecules targeting BMAL1, CLOCK, and circadian gene expressionLight-sensitive ion channels : Optopharmacological approaches to manipulate circadian neuronsMelatonin receptor agonists : Improving circadian timing signals
Pipeline | Drug | Indication | Mechanism | Stage |
SYNC-101 SYNC-101 is a dual melatonin receptor (MT1/MT2) agonist optimized for circadian phase shifting:
Advantages over melatonin : Better pharmacokinetics, receptor selectivity, dose controlExpected benefits : Improved sleep onset, circadian alignment, reduced RBD severityDevelopment status : Completed Phase 1, planning Phase 2 in PD
Circadian Biology Expertise Synchronicity's founders include world experts in circadian rhythm research:
Target identification : Using circadian transcriptomics to identify novel targetsPatient selection : Biomarkers for circadian dysfunction identificationCombination approaches : Pairing circadian therapies with dopaminergic treatmentsPreclinical Models
PD mouse models : 6-OHDA and alpha-synuclein overexpression modelsCircadian assays : Bioluminescence monitoring of clock gene expressionHuman organoids : Patient-derived circadian cell modelsBusiness Model
Development Strategy
Sleep disorders first : PD-associated sleep dysfunction as initial indicationBroad applications : Expanding to Alzheimer's disease, depression, shift work disorderCompanion diagnostics : Circadian biomarker testing for patient selection
Partnerships
Academic : University of California San Diego, Scripps ResearchPharmaceutical : Discussions with major CNS companies for co-developmentFoundation : Parkinson's Foundation research grantsFunding
Seed : $8M (2022)Series A : $35M (2024) - led by OrbiMed and Surveyor CapitalNon-dilutive : NIH SBIR grant for circadian dysfunction in PDMarket Opportunity
PD Sleep Disorder Market
Prevalence : 6 million PD patients worldwide, 90% have sleep disordersMarket size : PD sleep market estimated at $2B by 2030Unmet need : No approved circadian-targeting therapies for PDCompetitive Landscape | Company | Approach | Status |
Strategic Outlook Synchronicity positions circadian restoration as a novel approach in PD:
Symptom improvement : Addressing sleep disorders that significantly impact quality of lifeDisease modification : Hypothesized neuroprotective effects of circadian normalizationCombination therapy : Potential to enhance effects of dopaminergic medications
Cross-References
[Circadian Rhythm Dysfunction in Parkinson's](/mechanisms/circadian-rhythm-dysfunction-parkinsons)
[Melatonin Signaling](/mechanisms/melatonin-signaling-neurodegeneration)
[Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
[PD Sleep Disorder Treatments](/companies/pd-sleep-disorder-treatments)
[Suprachiasmatic Nucleus](/cell-types/suprachiasmatic-nucleus-neurons)
References
[Synchronicity Therapeutics Corporate Overview (2024)](https://synchronicitytx.com)
[Circadian Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease (2024)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
[Melatonin Receptors in Neurodegeneration - Journal of Pineal Research](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
See Also
[Neuroinflammation and Microglia Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease](/wiki/mechanisms-ad-neuroinflammation-microglia-pathway) — inhibits
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