Vigil Neuroscience
Vigil Neuroscience is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing microglia-targeted therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, including the TREM2 agonist VG-3927 for Alzheimer's disease and VGL101 for ALSP. The company was acquired by Sanofi in 2025 for $470 million.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Vigil Neuroscience does
Vigil Neuroscience is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing microglia-targeted therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Vigil focused on modulating the neuroimmune system through TREM2 receptor agonism, a novel mechanism intended to restore microglial function and address the neuroinflammatory component of neurodegeneration. The company operated as a pre-commercial R&D entity with no approved products and no product revenue, relying instead on venture capital and strategic investment to fund clinical development.
Vigil's pipeline centered on a proprietary small molecule TREM2 agonist platform. Its lead candidate, VG-3927, is an oral small molecule TREM2 agonist that entered Phase 1 clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. A second program, VGL101, targeted ALSP (Adult-onset Leukoencephalopathy with axonal Spheroids and Pigmented microglia), a rare neurodegenerative disease with no FDA-approved treatments. Both candidates were designed to act on microglia through TREM2 activation, applying Vigil's neuroimmunology platform across both rare and common neurodegenerative indications.
The company's go-to-market was research- and partnership-driven rather than commercial. Vigil raised approximately $50 million in a Series A (December 2020), $90 million in a Series B led by Vida Ventures (August 2021), and $40 million in a strategic investment from Sanofi (June 2024) that included an exclusive right of first negotiation for the TREM2 agonist program. In May 2025, Sanofi acquired Vigil for $470 million ($8 per share plus a $2 contingent value right payable upon first commercial sale), absorbing VG-3927 into Sanofi's neurology pipeline and ending Vigil's operation as an independent entity.
Vigil Neuroscience firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vigil Neuroscience
- Legal name
- Vigil Neuroscience, Inc.
- Website
- https://vigilneuro.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Vigil Neuroscience is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing microglia-targeted therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, including the TREM2 agonist VG-3927 for Alzheimer's disease and VGL101 for ALSP. The company was acquired by Sanofi in 2025 for $470 million.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vigil Neuroscience industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biopharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAF), Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology (HLAKAIAF)
Keywords
Where Vigil Neuroscience is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Vigil Neuroscience business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Pipeline Development and Potential Commercialization: Pre-commercial biotech company developing novel therapeutic candidates. Revenue will come from future product sales upon regulatory approval. The company raised capital through strategic investments and was acquired by Sanofi in 2025 for $470 million, suggesting pipeline value recognition.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Vigil Neuroscience product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vigil Neuroscience is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing microglia-targeted therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. Its lead clinical assets are VGL101, an antibody candidate for the rare disease ALSP (Adult-onset Leukoencephalopathy with axonal Spheroids and Pigmented microglia), and VG-3927, an oral small molecule TREM2 agonist in Phase 1 development for Alzheimer's disease. The company was acquired by Sanofi in 2025 for $470 million to advance VG-3927 through Sanofi's neurology pipeline.
Product overview
Vigil Neuroscience is a biopharmaceutical company developing microglia-targeted medicines for neurodegenerative diseases. The company advanced two main therapeutic candidates: VGL101 for ALSP (a rare neurodegenerative disease) and VG-3927 (a small molecule TREM2 agonist for Alzheimer's disease). Both programs focus on targeting the neuroimmune system through microglia modulation, with the company pursuing treatments for both rare and common neurodegenerative conditions. Sanofi acquired the company in 2025 for $470 million, adding VG-3927 to its neurology pipeline.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- VGL101 Therapeutic candidate (antibody) targeting TREM2 on microglia for the treatment of ALSP (Adult-onset Leukoencephalopathy with axonal Spheroids and Pigmented microglia), a rare neurodegenerative disease with no FDA-approved therapies.
- VG-3927 Oral small molecule TREM2 agonist in Phase 1 clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease, targeting neuroimmunology pathways through microglia modulation.
- Small Molecule TREM2 Agonist Program Drug discovery and development program focused on small molecule TREM2 receptor agonists to modulate microglia function for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases; encompasses VG-3927 and follow-on candidates.
Quantifiable outcome
- Phase 1 clinical trial initiated for VGL101 in ALSP
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Vigil Neuroscience
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Vigil Neuroscience technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Vigil Neuroscience partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- SanoficoreSanofi acquired Vigil Neuroscience for $470 million in May 2025, adding the oral Alzheimer's drug candidate VG-3927 to Sanofi's neurology pipeline. The $8-per-share offer included a $2 contingent value right payable upon first commercial sale. The acquisition filled a gap in Sanofi's R&D portfolio as the pharma group had no Alzheimer's programmes in clinical development.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Vigil Neuroscience competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Alector: Clinical-stage biotech developing immuno-neurology therapeutics with a primary focus on TREM2 and other microglial targets for neurodegenerative diseases — directly comparable mechanism and indication overlap with Vigil's pipeline.
- Denali Therapeutics: Biotech developing small molecule and biologic therapeutics for neurodegeneration, including TREM2-targeting programs. Highly comparable in modality (small molecule CNS-penetrant) and therapeutic area.
- Annexon, Inc. Clinical-stage company developing therapeutics targeting the complement pathway in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Comparable in targeting neuroimmune mechanisms for CNS indications.
Emerging players
- Cortexyme: Clinical-stage biotech focused on P. gingivalis and other mechanisms in Alzheimer's and neurodegeneration. Comparable as an emerging CNS biotech pursuing disease-modifying approaches.
- Athira Pharma: Clinical-stage company developing small molecule therapies for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's. Comparable indication overlap and small-molecule CNS modality.
- Cassava Sciences: Clinical-stage biotech focused on Alzheimer's disease therapeutics. Comparable as an emerging player targeting neurodegenerative indications through novel CNS mechanisms.
Broad incumbents
- Biogen: Large neurology-focused biopharma with established Alzheimer's franchise (Aduhelm/Leqembi) and broad CNS pipeline. Comparable as a major incumbent competing in the same neurodegenerative disease space.
- Eli Lilly: Major pharmaceutical company with Kisunla (donanemab) for Alzheimer's and active CNS pipeline. Comparable as a broad incumbent pursuing disease-modifying Alzheimer's therapies.
- Eisai: Pharmaceutical company co-developing Leqembi with Biogen for Alzheimer's. Comparable as a global incumbent in CNS with active neurodegeneration pipeline.
- AbbVie: Diversified pharma with established neurology franchise (e.g., Vraylar) and active CNS pipeline. Comparable as a broad incumbent pursuing neurodegenerative disease opportunities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Vigil Neuroscience social profiles
Digital presenceVigil Neuroscience financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vigil Neuroscience leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Vigil Neuroscience funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors15 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vigil Neuroscience M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Vigil Neuroscience
What does Vigil Neuroscience do?
Vigil Neuroscience is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing microglia-targeted therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. Its lead clinical assets are VGL101, an antibody candidate for the rare disease ALSP (Adult-onset Leukoencephalopathy with axonal Spheroids and Pigmented microglia), and VG-3927, an oral small molecule TREM2 agonist in Phase 1 development for Alzheimer's disease. The company was acquired by Sanofi in 2025 for $470 million to advance VG-3927 through Sanofi's neurology pipeline.
Is Vigil Neuroscience a public or private company?
Vigil Neuroscience is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Vigil Neuroscience founded?
Vigil Neuroscience was founded in 2020. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Vigil Neuroscience based?
Vigil Neuroscience is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Vigil Neuroscience make money?
One revenue line is on record: pipeline Development and Potential Commercialization.
Who are Vigil Neuroscience's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Alector, Denali Therapeutics and Annexon, Inc.. Emerging players are Cortexyme, Athira Pharma and Cassava Sciences. Broad incumbents are Biogen, Eli Lilly, Eisai and AbbVie.
Does Vigil Neuroscience have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vigil Neuroscience.
What industry is Vigil Neuroscience in?
Vigil Neuroscience's product category is Biopharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAC, Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAF, Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2834.