Koneqia Therapeutics

Koneqia Therapeutics

Overview

Koneqia Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, with a primary emphasis on Alzheimer's disease. The company leverages its proprietary brain access platform to enable delivery of therapeutic molecules across the [blood-brain barrier](/entities/blood-brain-barrier) (BBB)[@koneqia].

Koneqia Therapeutics

Overview

Koneqia Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, with a primary emphasis on Alzheimer's disease. The company leverages its proprietary brain access platform to enable delivery of therapeutic molecules across the [blood-brain barrier](/entities/blood-brain-barrier) (BBB)[@koneqia].

Founded in 2022 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Koneqia aims to address the critical challenge of CNS drug delivery that has hindered the development of effective treatments for Alzheimer's and other neurological disorders.

Pipeline

Alzheimer's Disease Program

| Drug | Mechanism | Stage | Status |
|------|-----------|-------|--------|
| KQ-001 | Brain-penetrant [TREM2](/genes/trem2) modulator | Phase 1 | Recruiting |
| KQ-002 | ApoE4 modifier | Preclinical | IND-enabling |
| KQ-003 | Synaptic protector | Discovery | Research |

Technology Platform

Blood-Brain Barrier Platform

Koneqia's proprietary BBB platform enables:

• Enhanced brain penetration of large molecule therapeutics
• Receptor-mediated transcytosis optimization
• Targeted delivery to specific brain cell types
• Reduced peripheral exposure and side effects

[TREM2](/genes/trem2) Modulation

KQ-001 is a small molecule [TREM2](/genes/trem2) (Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2) modulator designed to:

• Enhance microglial function
• Improve [Aβ](/proteins/amyloid-beta) clearance
• Reduce neuroinflammation
• Protect synaptic function

Science

[TREM2](/genes/trem2) Biology in Alzheimer's

[TREM2](/genes/trem2) is a receptor expressed primarily on [microglia](/cell-types/microglia-neuroinflammation) in the brain. Genetic variants in the [TREM2](/genes/trem2) gene significantly increase AD risk:

• R47H variant: ~3-fold increased AD risk
• R62H variant: ~2-fold increased AD risk
• Loss-of-function variants: Increased risk

• Proliferation and survival
• [Aβ](/proteins/amyloid-beta) phagocytosis
• Inflammatory response
• Lipid metabolism
• Synaptic pruning

ApoE4 Modification

The company's ApoE4 modifier program targets apolipoprotein E4, the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset AD:

• ~40% of AD patients carry at least one ApoE4 allele
• ApoE4 carriers have earlier onset and faster progression
• Current approaches focus on enhancing ApoE4 function or reducing its pathological effects

Business Details

• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
• Ticker: Private
• Founded: 2022
• Funding: Series A ($45M, 2023)
• Investors: Leading neurodegenerative disease-focused VCs

Competitive Landscape

| Company | Drug | Mechanism | Stage |
|---------|------|-----------|-------|
| Koneqia | KQ-001 | [TREM2](/genes/trem2) modulator | Phase 1 |
| Denali | DNL622 | [TREM2](/genes/trem2) agonist | Phase 1 |
| Alector | AL002 | [TREM2](/genes/trem2) agonist | Phase 2 |
| AbbVie | ABBV-916 | [TREM2](/genes/trem2) antibody | Preclinical |

Cross-References

• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [TREM2](/genes/trem2) and Microglia](/mechanisms/trem2-microglia-pathway)
• [APOE Gene](/genes/apoe)
• [Blood-Brain Barrier](/mechanisms/blood-brain-barrier)
• [Neuroinflammation](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation-pathway)

See Also

• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)

External Links

• [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)
• [KEGG Pathways](https://www.genome.jp/kegg/pathway.html)

References