MindImmune, a biotechnology company focused on immune-based treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, announced it has secured a $5 million strategic award from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) to accelerate development of its lead therapeutic candidate, MITI-101. The funding will support the advancement of a first-in-class program designed to target immune pathways that drive neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.
The investment highlights growing scientific interest in immune system dysfunction as a central factor in Alzheimer’s progression. MindImmune’s MITI-101 program is designed to intervene upstream in immune pathways that contribute to sustained inflammation in the brain, a process increasingly recognized as a key driver of neurodegeneration.
Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people worldwide, with biological changes in the brain often beginning years or even decades before symptoms appear. While recent therapeutic advances have focused on hallmark protein pathologies associated with the disease, researchers are increasingly exploring immune dysregulation and chronic neuroinflammation as critical components of disease onset and progression.
MindImmune’s approach centers on modulating immune cell function in the brain to address these underlying biological mechanisms. By targeting neuroinflammatory pathways, the company aims to develop therapies that could alter the trajectory of neurodegeneration rather than simply address downstream symptoms.
The new funding will support completion of key translational studies for MITI-101 and enable the company to prepare an Investigational New Drug submission. The investment will also help advance planning for early clinical development as the company moves the program toward human trials.
The award underscores the ADDF’s venture philanthropy model, which focuses on funding high-potential therapeutic programs capable of transforming Alzheimer’s treatment. Since its founding, the organization has supported hundreds of research initiatives aimed at accelerating the development of drugs, diagnostics, and prevention strategies for Alzheimer’s disease.
MindImmune said the funding will help translate emerging scientific insights into potential therapeutic solutions for patients living with Alzheimer’s disease.
KEY QUOTES:
“Alzheimer’s disease remains one of the most urgent and complex challenges in medicine. This support from the ADDF empowers us to push the boundaries of immune biology in neurodegeneration and rapidly advance MITI-101 toward the clinic. We are building on a compelling body of science with the potential to redefine how we treat this devastating disease.”
Stevin Zorn, Chief Science Officer, MindImmune
“Advancing scientific innovation in Alzheimer’s requires bold approaches that directly target the underlying biology and pathology of the disease. Our investment in MindImmune and its lead candidate, MITI-101, reflects the ADDF’s commitment to advancing novel therapies that address key biological drivers like neuroinflammation. Targeting these mechanisms will be essential to a broader precision medicine framework to effectively treat and ultimately prevent Alzheimer’s.”
Dr. Howard Fillit, Co-Founder And Chief Science Officer, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
