Synchronicity Therapeutics

Overview

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:

Overview

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 patients
• Body temperature dysregulation: Abnormal circadian temperature rhythms
• Sleep fragmentation: Disrupted sleep-wake cycles
• Cortisol dysregulation: Altered HPA axis circadian patterns

• Worse motor outcomes
• Increased cognitive decline
• Reduced quality of life
• Increased mortality

Therapeutic Approach

Synchronicity's approach involves:

Pipeline

| Drug | Indication | Mechanism | Stage |
|------|------------|-----------|-------|
| SYNC-101 | PD sleep disorders | Melatonin receptor agonist | Phase 1 |
| SYNC-102 | PD circadian dysfunction | BMAL1 expression modulator | Preclinical |
| SYNC-103 | DLB sleep-wake disturbances | Novel circadian target | Discovery |

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 control
• Expected benefits: Improved sleep onset, circadian alignment, reduced RBD severity
• Development status: Completed Phase 1, planning Phase 2 in PD

Research Platform

Circadian Biology Expertise

Synchronicity's founders include world experts in circadian rhythm research:

• Target identification: Using circadian transcriptomics to identify novel targets
• Patient selection: Biomarkers for circadian dysfunction identification
• Combination approaches: Pairing circadian therapies with dopaminergic treatments

Preclinical Models

• PD mouse models: 6-OHDA and alpha-synuclein overexpression models
• Circadian assays: Bioluminescence monitoring of clock gene expression
• Human organoids: Patient-derived circadian cell models

Business Model

Development Strategy

Partnerships

• Academic: University of California San Diego, Scripps Research
• Pharmaceutical: Discussions with major CNS companies for co-development
• Foundation: Parkinson's Foundation research grants

Funding

• Seed: $8M (2022)
• Series A: $35M (2024) - led by OrbiMed and Surveyor Capital
• Non-dilutive: NIH SBIR grant for circadian dysfunction in PD

Market Opportunity

PD Sleep Disorder Market

• Prevalence: 6 million PD patients worldwide, 90% have sleep disorders
• Market size: PD sleep market estimated at $2B by 2030
• Unmet need: No approved circadian-targeting therapies for PD

Competitive Landscape

| Company | Approach | Status |
|---------|----------|--------|
| Idorsia | Orexin antagonist (insomnia) | Approved |
| Exicure | Melatonin analogs | Preclinical |
| Synchronicity | Melatonin receptor agonists | Phase 1 |
| Academia | Light therapy | Research |

Strategic Outlook

Synchronicity positions circadian restoration as a novel approach in PD:

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

See Also

• [Neuroinflammation and Microglia Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease](/wiki/mechanisms-ad-neuroinflammation-microglia-pathway) — inhibits