Growth Mindset
A new company with Brown roots bets on neurogenesis to treat central nervous system diseases . BY EMILIJA SAGAITYTE
PHOTOGRAPHY ( THIS PAGE ): ISTOCK / WHITEHOUNE ; ( OPPOSITE PAGE ): NICK DENTAMARO
A biotech startup that ’ s trying to accelerate the formation of new neurons to treat brain conditions says it is making significant progress .
Bolden Therapeutics , cofounded by a Brown medical student and two faculty members , has secured more than $ 1 million in private and public funding , including grants from the National Institutes of Health , and earned Brown ’ s 2022 Startup of the Year Award .
The company aims to use an RNA-based therapy to increase neurogenesis and thereby improve outcomes in neurological conditions . Enhancing neuron formation could provide novel means of treating neurodegenerative disorders , depression , traumatic brain injury , stroke , and other conditions .
“ Our goal for now is to translate exciting research on novel biology from Brown and gain enough support to develop the safest , most effective candidate possible ,” cofounder and CEO Johnny Page says — with the ultimate goal of enabling better treatment options for patients .
Bolden represents the fusion of research from the labs of its scientific founders : Justin Fallon , PhD , professor of medical science and of psychiatry and human behavior ; and Ashley Webb , PhD , the Richard and Edna Salomon Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology , Cell Biology , and Biochemistry .
Fallon , who ’ s also chair of Bolden ’ s scientific advisory board , has studied a particular molecular signaling pathway in muscle for several years . After he heard Webb present on how blocking that signaling can drive neurogenesis by allowing stem cells to divide , they teamed up to understand the role of the pathway in neural stem cells .
The pair found that genetic manipulation of this pathway in mice led to increased neuronal growth and improved cognitive function . Recognizing the therapeutic potential of the intervention , the researchers formed Bolden .
“ One of my favorite things about Bolden is working with a small group of people with complementary expertise to tackle a problem together ,” says Webb , a member of the scientific advisory board .
The team is focusing on RNA-based therapies already on the market for conditions like spinal muscular atrophy . Page says the development of these treatments is relatively well understood , inexpensive , and rapid compared to that of other treatment methods .
“ To have several [ drug ] candidates that achieve the desired effect on RNA in cells is an extremely exciting position to be in ,” says Page , a third-year medical student .
Alzheimer ’ s disease is one condition the company may target , given its severity and limited treatment options . For such complex , multifactorial illnesses , Bolden ’ s therapy would likely be used in combination with other treatments , says Stephen Salloway , MD , MS , the associate director of Brown ’ s Center for Alzheimer ’ s Disease Research .
For Bolden , “ the ultimate goal is to replenish new neurons in the context of disease ,” Webb says . “ Even if it only helps with one disease , we hope to improve the lives of patients .”
6 HEALTH DISCOVERIES l WINTER 2023