Krasue Inc.
Headquarters: Kyoto, Japan
Founded: 2022 (Kyoto University spin-out)
Focus: Mitochondrial dysfunction therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease
Website: https://www.krasue.com
Overview
Krasue Inc. is a Kyoto University spin-out company developing novel mitochondria-targeting compounds for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The company's name derives from the mythical Thai vampire "krasue" whose translucent body reveals the internal organs — analogous to how the company's technology reveals and targets the fundamental metabolic dysfunctions within neurons[@krasue2024]. The company leverages cutting-edge research from Kyoto University's Department of Biochemistry and the Institute for Frontier Life Sciences to develop disease-modifying therapies that address the central role of mitochondrial failure in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a central mechanism in neurodegenerative pathogenesis. In both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, mitochondria become progressively damaged, leading to decreased ATP production, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, impaired calcium buffering, and activation of cell death pathways. Krasue's therapeutic approach focuses on developing small molecule compounds that directly protect mitochondrial function and promote mitophagy — the selective degradation of damaged mitochondria[@mitophagy_neurons].
Scientific Foundation
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegeneration
...Krasue Inc.
Headquarters: Kyoto, Japan
Founded: 2022 (Kyoto University spin-out)
Focus: Mitochondrial dysfunction therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease
Website: https://www.krasue.com
Overview
Krasue Inc. is a Kyoto University spin-out company developing novel mitochondria-targeting compounds for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The company's name derives from the mythical Thai vampire "krasue" whose translucent body reveals the internal organs — analogous to how the company's technology reveals and targets the fundamental metabolic dysfunctions within neurons[@krasue2024]. The company leverages cutting-edge research from Kyoto University's Department of Biochemistry and the Institute for Frontier Life Sciences to develop disease-modifying therapies that address the central role of mitochondrial failure in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a central mechanism in neurodegenerative pathogenesis. In both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, mitochondria become progressively damaged, leading to decreased ATP production, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, impaired calcium buffering, and activation of cell death pathways. Krasue's therapeutic approach focuses on developing small molecule compounds that directly protect mitochondrial function and promote mitophagy — the selective degradation of damaged mitochondria[@mitophagy_neurons].
Scientific Foundation
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegeneration
The brain consumes approximately 20% of the body's oxygen despite accounting for only 2% of body weight, making it extraordinarily dependent on efficient mitochondrial energy production. Neurons are particularly vulnerable to mitochondrial dysfunction because they have high metabolic demands, are largely post-mitotic, and contain elaborate dendritic and axonal arbors that require localized energy supply far from the cell body.
In Alzheimer's disease, amyloid-beta oligomers directly impair mitochondrial function by binding to mitochondrial proteins, disrupting the electron transport chain, and increasing ROS production. Tau pathology further exacerbates mitochondrial dysfunction by disrupting mitochondrial transport along axons and promoting mitochondrial fragmentation. Studies have shown that amyloid-beta reduces the activity of key mitochondrial enzymes including cytochrome c oxidase and pyruvate dehydrogenase[@mitch_dis].
In Parkinson's disease, mitochondrial dysfunction is particularly prominent given that the first pathological hallmark — the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra — is driven substantially by mitochondrial impairment. Mutations in [PARKIN](/genes/parkin), [PINK1](/genes/pink1), [DJ-1](/genes/park7), and [LRRK2](/genes/lrrk2) all converge on mitochondrial quality control pathways. PINK1 and PARKIN work together to identify and target damaged mitochondria for autophagic degradation; mutations in either gene disrupt this quality control mechanism, leading to accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria[@mitophagy_neurons].
The PGC-1alpha Pathway
Krasue's therapeutic strategy centers on activation of the [PGC-1alpha](/genes/ppargc1a) (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha) pathway, a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. PGC-1alpha is a transcriptional coactivator that coordinates the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism, antioxidant defense, and mitochondrial DNA replication[@pgc1a_neuro].
Studies have shown that PGC-1alpha expression is reduced in the brains of both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease patients. In Alzheimer's disease, PGC-1alpha levels correlate inversely with amyloid-beta burden, and experimental activation of PGC-1alpha in animal models reduces amyloid pathology while improving cognitive function. In Parkinson's disease, PGC-1alpha activation protects dopaminergic neurons from MPTP and other mitochondrial toxins, and genetic deletion of PGC-1alpha in mice renders neurons more vulnerable to toxin-induced parkinsonism.
Krasue has developed proprietary compounds that selectively activate PGC-1alpha transcriptional activity through a novel mechanism targeting the AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1alpha axis. These compounds promote mitochondrial biogenesis, enhance antioxidant gene expression through NRF2 activation, and improve mitochondrial dynamics (fusion/fission balance).
Pipeline
KRS-001 (Lead Program)
Indication: Parkinson's disease
Stage: Preclinical (IND-enabling studies)
Mechanism: PGC-1alpha activator, mitochondrial biogenesis promoter
KRS-001 is Krasue's lead compound for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. In preclinical models, KRS-001 has demonstrated:
- Restoration of mitochondrial function in PINK1-deficient neurons
- Protection of dopaminergic neurons in MPTP mouse models
- Improvement in motor function in alpha-synuclein transgenic mice
- Oral bioavailability and brain penetration in rodent pharmacokinetic studies
The compound is designed for once-daily oral dosing and has shown a favorable safety profile in 28-day toxicology studies in two species.
KRS-002 (Secondary Program)
Indication: Alzheimer's disease
Stage: Preclinical (lead optimization)
Mechanism: Mitochondrial protector, NRF2 activator, tau phosphorylation modulator
KRS-002 targets the intersection of mitochondrial dysfunction and tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease. The compound has shown activity in reducing tau phosphorylation, improving mitochondrial respiration, and decreasing ROS levels in cellular models of Alzheimer's disease[@mito_tau].
Krasue's drug discovery platform integrates:
High-content mitochondrial screening using patient-derived iPSC neurons to identify compounds that restore mitochondrial function in disease-relevant cell types
Structural biology to optimize compounds for mitochondrial target engagement
In vivo efficacy models using genetically engineered mice that recapitulate mitochondrial dysfunction
Translational biomarkers including mitochondrial DNA copy number, ROS markers, and PGC-1alpha target gene expressionThe company has established collaborations with Kyoto University's CiRA (Center for iPS Cell Research and Application) for access to disease-specific iPSC lines, and with the Institute for Frontier Life Sciences for in vivo pharmacology expertise.
Partnerships and Funding
Krasue has received funding from:
- AMED (Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development) startup grants[@amedasu_kyoto]
- Kyoto University Innovation Capital
- Multiple venture capital firms specializing in biotech
The company is actively seeking partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies for co-development and licensing of its mitochondrial therapeutics platform.
Connection to NeuroWiki Topics
Krasue's work intersects with multiple key mechanisms documented in NeuroWiki:
- [Mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson's disease pathway](/mechanisms/mitochondrial-dysfunction-parkinsons)
- [PGC-1alpha signaling pathway](/mechanisms/pgc1a-signaling)
- [Mitophagy pathways in neurodegeneration](/mechanisms/mitophagy-pathways)
- [Oxidative stress in neurodegeneration](/mechanisms/oxidative-stress)
- [Neuronal vulnerability factors](/cell-types/dopamine-d4-receptor-neurons)