Noema Pharma

What Noema Pharma does

Noema Pharma is a Swiss-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2019 and headquartered in Basel, developing a portfolio of oral small molecule therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The company's pipeline consists of four drug candidates in-licensed from Roche: basimglurant (NOE-101), a first-in-class mGluR5 negative allosteric modulator in Phase 2/3 for trigeminal neuralgia (FDA Fast Track designated) and seizures in tuberous sclerosis complex; gemlapodect (NOE-105), a first-in-class PDE10A inhibitor in Phase 2b for Tourette syndrome and childhood onset fluency disorder (stuttering); cendifensine (NOE-115), a broad-spectrum monoamine modulator in Phase 2a for menopausal vasomotor symptoms, where Phase 2a results showed a 92.3% reduction in daily hot flash frequency; and NOE-109, an mGluR2/3 inhibitor in preclinical validation. Basimglurant has established safety data in over 1,000 subjects and gemlapodect Phase 2a data showed no metabolic side effects compared to current antipsychotic standards of care.

The company targets patient populations across both orphan and large-market neurology indications, including approximately 140,000 US trigeminal neuralgia patients, 80,000 US/EU TSC patients, over 500,000 US Tourette syndrome patients, and roughly 27 million US menopausal women. Noema has raised over CHF 287 million (~$325M) across a Series A (2020), Series B (2023), and Series B extension (2024) from a syndicate including Sofinnova Partners, Polaris Partners, Forbion, Jeito Capital, Gilde Healthcare, Invus, UPMC Enterprises, and EQT Life Sciences. Leadership includes CEO Ilise Lombardo, MD (formerly Kriya Therapeutics, Arvelle Therapeutics), Chairman Jeffrey Jonas (former CEO of Sage Therapeutics), EVP R&D Volker Knappertz, MD (led Epidiolex approval at GW Pharmaceuticals), and CMO Rob Lasser, MD (led zuranolone at Sage Therapeutics), reflecting deep CNS drug development expertise.

Noema operates a pre-revenue, sales-led biotech model focused on advancing its pipeline through clinical trials toward regulatory approval and eventual commercialization via prescription pharmaceutical channels, either directly or through partnership with larger pharmaceutical companies. The company employs a multi-stakeholder engagement strategy including patient advocacy partnerships (Facial Pain Association, TSC Alliance, World Stuttering Network), KOL webinars, and investor conference participation, while maintaining offices in Basel, Switzerland and the Boston Area, United States to support global clinical trial operations across the US, Europe, and Australia.

Name

Noema Pharma

Legal name

Noema Pharma AG

Website

https://noemapharma.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Noema Pharma is a Swiss clinical-stage biotech developing four oral small molecule CNS drug candidates in-licensed from Roche, targeting trigeminal neuralgia, tuberous sclerosis complex seizures, Tourette syndrome, stuttering, and menopausal vasomotor symptoms, with four active Phase 2 trials and over CHF 287 million raised.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CNS Therapeutics / Neurology Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAF), Rare Neurology & Neurodegenerative Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAD), Endocrinology & Reproductive Health Pharmaceuticals (incl. Women’s Health) (HLAIAAAJ)

Keywords

• CNS drug development
• Oral small molecules
• Neurology therapeutics
• Trigeminal neuralgia treatment
• Menopausal vasomotor therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Basel

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical drug development and commercialization: Pre-revenue clinical-stage biotech. The company develops proprietary therapeutic candidates through clinical trials, seeks regulatory approval (FDA, EMA), and commercializes drugs via prescription pathway, either directly or through partnership with a larger pharmaceutical company. Revenue would be generated from product sales upon regulatory approval.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Noema Pharma develops oral small molecule therapeutics targeting central nervous system disorders, with a portfolio of four clinical-stage drug candidates in-licensed from Roche. The lead assets address trigeminal neuralgia pain, seizures in tuberous sclerosis complex, Tourette syndrome, stuttering, and menopausal vasomotor symptoms through well-characterized mechanisms including mGluR5 inhibition, PDE10A inhibition, and broad-spectrum monoamine modulation.

Product overview

Noema Pharma is advancing a late-stage portfolio of oral small molecule therapeutics targeting neurological and related disorders. The company is developing four clinical-stage drug candidates in-licensed from Roche: Basimglurant (NOE-101), a Phase 2/3 mGluR5 NAM for trigeminal neuralgia and seizures in TSC; Cendifensine (NOE-115), a Phase 2a broad-spectrum monoamine modulator for menopausal vasomotor symptoms; Gemlapodect (NOE-105), a Phase 2b PDE10A inhibitor for Tourette syndrome and stuttering; and NOE-109, an mGluR2/3 inhibitor in preclinical validation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Basimglurant (NOE-101) Potential first-in-class, highly selective and potent mGluR5 negative allosteric modulator (NAM) being developed for the management of pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and seizure control in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Oral, once-daily dosing; tested in over 1,000 subjects with favorable tolerability and no known abuse potential. Currently in Phase 2/3 clinical trials with FDA Fast Track designation.
• Gemlapodect (NOE-105) First-in-class oral PDE10A inhibitor that modulates dopamine signaling exclusively in medium spiny neurons of the striatum. Being developed for Tourette syndrome and Childhood Onset Fluency Disorder (stuttering). Phase 2a ALLEVIA-1 study met primary and all key secondary endpoints; now in Phase 2b trials. No metabolic side effects (weight gain, insulin resistance) observed in clinical studies.
• Cendifensine (NOE-115) Oral broad-spectrum monoamine modulator designed as a non-hormonal treatment for vasomotor symptoms (VMS/hot flashes & night sweats) and other menopause-related symptoms. Rebalances serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Phase 2a results demonstrated 92.3% reduction in daily hot flash frequency and 59.2% reduction in VMS severity at 12 weeks, with median weight reduction of 2.5 kg.
• NOE-109

Quantifiable outcome

• Cendifensine (30 mg dose): 92.3% reduction in daily frequency of moderate-to-severe hot flashes from baseline to Week 12, with mean reduction of 12.3 daily hot flashes (LS mean adjusted p<0.001)
• +5 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• RochecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensed four mid-clinical-stage therapeutic product candidates from Roche: NOE-101 (mGluR5 inhibitor), NOE-105 (PDE10A inhibitor), NOE-109 (mGluR2/3 inhibitor), and NOE-115 (triple reuptake inhibitor/monoamine modulator). All assets have established safety data from prior clinical testing.
• Facial Pain AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient advocacy organization for trigeminal neuralgia. Logo displayed on Noema Pharma's website. The Facial Pain Association provides resources and support for TN patients, a key patient population for Noema's lead asset basimglurant.
• World Stuttering NetworksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient advocacy organization for people who stutter. Logo displayed on Noema Pharma's website. The World Stuttering Network supports patients with childhood onset fluency disorder (stuttering), a target indication for gemlapodect (NOE-105).
• TSC AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublished podcast on its website dedicated to basimglurant (NOE-101) and seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. Patient advocacy partner for TSC, a key indication for NOE-101.
• LifeSci CommunicationssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Noema Pharma's website as a processor within the meaning of the EU GDPR. Provides investor relations, media, and communications services to Noema Pharma.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Acadia Pharmaceuticals: Specialty CNS pharmaceutical company commercializing Nuplazid (pimavanserin) for Parkinson's disease psychosis and other CNS therapies. Comparable as a broader CNS specialty pharma focused on neurology/psychiatry with approved and pipeline assets.
• Astellas Pharma: Global pharma that launched Veozah (fezolinetant) for menopausal vasomotor symptoms, directly competing with Noema's cendifensine program. Comparable as a large-pharma competitor with an approved non-hormonal menopause therapy in the same indication Noema is pursuing.
• Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Specialty CNS pharma that acquired GW Pharmaceuticals and commercialized Epidiolex (cannabidiol) for rare epilepsies, including TSC. Volker Knappertz (Noema EVP R&D) led Epidiolex's development at GW. Highly comparable as an established CNS player in rare epilepsies.

Direct peers

• Axsome Therapeutics: CNS-focused biotech that developed and launched Auvelity for major depressive disorder. Comparable as a small-cap clinical-stage CNS company with multiple late-stage CNS assets and a similar specialty commercialization model.
• Karuna Therapeutics: Clinical-stage CNS biotech that developed xanomeline/trospium (Cobenfy) for schizophrenia before being acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb. Directly comparable as a CNS-focused clinical-stage biotech that advanced a single novel-mechanism therapy to FDA approval via Phase 3.
• Sage Therapeutics: Clinical-stage CNS biotech that developed and commercialized zuranolone (ZURZUVAE) for postpartum depression and has worked extensively in neurology and psychiatry. Noema's CMO Robert Lasser led zuranolone development at Sage, and Chairman Jeffrey Jonas is Sage's former CEO, making it a direct comparable in CNS small-molecule development.
• Biohaven Pharmaceuticals: CNS and neurology-focused biotech that developed Nurtec ODT for migraine before divesting that asset to Pfizer. Comparable as a multi-asset CNS clinical-stage company that ultimately exited via a large-pharma transaction.
• Marinus Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage CNS company that developed Ztalmy (ganaxolone) for CDKL5 deficiency disorder, an orphan epilepsy. Comparable as a small CNS biotech pursuing rare neurology with FDA-approved orphan CNS drug.
• Praxis Precision Medicines: Clinical-stage biotech developing CNS therapies including epilepsy (PRAX-222 for SCN1A-related disorders) and other rare neurology indications. Comparable as a small CNS-focused clinical-stage biotech pursuing orphan neurology indications.

Emerging players

• Intra-Cellular Therapies: CNS-focused company that developed Caplyta (lumateperone) for schizophrenia and bipolar depression before being acquired by Johnson & Johnson. Comparable as a CNS small-molecule company that progressed from clinical stage to commercial launch and strategic exit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/noema-pharma-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Noema Pharma