We are a microglia-focused company dedicated to improving the lives of patients, caregivers, and families affected by rare and common neurodegenerative diseases by restoring the vigilance of microglia, the sentinel cells of the brain’s immune system
Microglia are uniquely multi-functional, specialized cells in the brain that act as sentinels to maintain healthy brain function. Optimally performing microglia act to protect the brain against processes, such as during aging or disease development, that can ultimately lead to neurodegeneration. Our goal is to restore and enhance the performance of these critical cells in disease settings where they are not performing optimally.
Leveraging the latest discoveries implicating microglial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases, we are utilizing a precision medicine approach to develop a pipeline of disease-modifying therapeutic candidates designed to activate and restore microglial function
Our initial therapeutic focus is on rare, genetically defined microgliopathies, neurodegenerative diseases stemming from microglia deficiencies. Our lead clinical candidate, iluzanebart (VGL101), is a highly targeted, fully human monoclonal antibody engineered to activate Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2), a microglial receptor protein whose dysfunction leads to microglia deficiency and is linked to multiple neurodegenerative diseases.
Building on the insights from our rare disease programs, we will broaden our therapeutic focus into neurodegenerative diseases that afflict larger patient communities.
