Lys Therapeutics
Lys Therapeutics is a French preclinical biotechnology company developing LYS241, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting the tPA-NMDAr interaction to treat neurovascular and neurodegenerative diseases including stroke, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersLyon, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lys Therapeutics does
Lys Therapeutics is a French privately-held biotechnology company founded in 2021 that develops first-in-class monoclonal antibody biotherapies for neurological diseases. The company's lead product candidate, LYS241 (also known as Glunozumab), is a fully humanized, Fc-silent IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets the interaction between tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and NMDA receptors in blood vessels. This mechanism restores blood-brain barrier integrity and counteracts neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative processes, addressing the pathophysiology of multiple neurological diseases through a single molecular entity. The company is developing two formulations: an intravenous formulation for acute indications such as ischemic stroke, and a subcutaneous formulation for chronic indications such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.
The underlying technology emerged from foundational research at Inserm and the University of Caen-Normandy through the Blood and Brain @ Caen-Normandy Institute (BB@C), where the glunomab antibody was originally invented. Lys Therapeutics holds exclusive worldwide patent rights to this technology. Preclinical proof-of-concept has been established across multiple indications in peer-reviewed journals, including Journal of Neuroinflammation, Cell Reports, Blood Advances, Translational Stroke Research, Cell Death & Disease, JNeurosci, and Brain. The company is headquartered in Lyon with research laboratories in Caen and is preparing for first-in-human clinical trials.
The company is pre-revenue and operates a biopharmaceutical development and licensing business model. Future revenue is expected to come from licensing deals, co-development agreements, and eventual product commercialization upon regulatory approval. The company engages with potential pharmaceutical partners through major industry events (BIO International, BIO-Europe, JP Morgan Week). Total funding raised exceeds €25 million since founding, sourced from a €5.5 million seed round (HTH VC/Zambon equity plus Bpifrance grants), The Michael J. Fox Foundation grants (over $5.6 million total), France 2030 i-Nov funding, and other non-dilutive French government and Bpifrance programs. The company serves patients with neurovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, with stroke centers and pharmaceutical partners as secondary commercial stakeholders.
Lys Therapeutics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lys Therapeutics
- Legal name
- Lys Therapeutics – SAS
- Website
- https://lystherapeutics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lys Therapeutics is a French preclinical biotechnology company developing LYS241, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting the tPA-NMDAr interaction to treat neurovascular and neurodegenerative diseases including stroke, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lys Therapeutics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Neurological Biopharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics (mAbs) (HLAAAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Nonclinical Study Management & Regulatory Writing (IND-enabling) (HLAGAFAN), Regulatory Strategy & IND/NDA/BLA Submissions Support (HLAIALAH), Translational & Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers (MOA, target engagement, PD/PK-linked markers) (HLAAAMAD)
Keywords
Where Lys Therapeutics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lyon
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Lys Therapeutics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Biopharmaceutical Development and Licensing: Pre-revenue biotechnology company developing first-in-class monoclonal antibody LYS241. Expected revenue streams include licensing deals with pharmaceutical partners, co-development agreements, and eventual product commercialization upon regulatory approval.
- Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations: The company is in discussions with international pharmaceutical companies for partnerships to advance clinical development and commercialization of LYS241 across multiple neurological indications.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Lys Therapeutics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lys Therapeutics develops LYS241 (Glunozumab/Glunomab), a first-in-class fully humanized Fc-silent IgG1 monoclonal antibody that prevents pathological binding of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to NMDA receptors in blood vessels, restoring blood-brain barrier integrity to treat neurovascular and neurodegenerative diseases including ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. The company is pre-commercial and advances its lead candidate through preclinical and early clinical development, intending to monetize via licensing and co-development partnerships with pharmaceutical companies.
Product overview
Lys Therapeutics is a French biotechnology company developing first-in-class biotherapies for neurological diseases centered on its lead product candidate LYS241 (also referred to as Glunozumab or Glunomab). LYS241 is a fully humanized, Fc-silent IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets the tPA-NMDAr axis to restore blood-brain barrier integrity. The company is advancing LYS241 through two distinct formulations: an intravenous formulation for acute/single-use applications (primarily ischemic stroke) and a subcutaneous formulation for chronic/repeated administration (for Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative conditions). The development program is designed as a pipeline-in-a-drug approach, with a single molecular entity addressing multiple neurological indications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- LYS241 (Glunozumab / Glunomab) A first-in-class, fully humanized, Fc-silent IgG1 monoclonal antibody (drug substance) that counteracts neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes by specifically preventing the binding of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) on NMDA receptors within blood vessels, thereby restoring blood-brain barrier integrity without blocking physiological NMDAr function. Developed for treatment of neurovascular and neurodegenerative diseases including ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and synucleinopathies.
Quantifiable outcome
- Significant reduction in ischemic brain damage and improved tissue recanalization when combined with thrombolytics (alteplase/tenecteplase) in preclinical stroke models
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Lys Therapeutics
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lys Therapeutics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Lys Therapeutics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of Michigan (Prof. Daniel Lawrence)coreMulti-year collaboration for Parkinson's disease research. Prof. Lawrence's team demonstrated involvement of tPA in Parkinson's pathophysiology and the role of tPA-NMDAr interaction in regulating inflammatory cell passage in the brain. Presented results at AD/PD conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.
- Blood and Brain @ Caen-Normandy Institute (BB@C)coreFoundational research partner. Prof. Denis Vivien (PU-PH) serves as Head of Science and President of Scientific Advisory Board. Institute provides research facilities at Cyceron campus in Caen. Co-inventor of glunomab antibody along with Prof. Richard Macrez.
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)coreResearch collaboration through UMR-S 1237 PhIND (Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders). Company holds exclusive worldwide patent rights to technology developed at Inserm and University of Caen-Normandy.
- Université de Caen NormandiecoreAcademic partner providing research collaboration and intellectual property through the joint research unit with Inserm.
- CYCERONminorResearch imaging and neuroscience center in Caen providing facilities and collaboration for preclinical research.
- EIT HealthminorEuropean health innovation network providing support and recognition (Gold Track status) to accelerate healthcare innovation.
- Lyonbiopôle Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesminorCompetitiveness cluster supporting healthcare innovation in the Lyon region, France.
- CHU de Caen NormandieminorUniversity hospital providing clinical research collaboration and expertise.
- ADNormandie (Agence de Développement pour la Normandie)minorRegional development agency supporting innovation and economic development in Normandy, France.
- PulsalysminorTechnology transfer office supporting innovation from academic research to market application in Lyon region.
- UK Dementia Research InstituteminorAcademic research collaboration in neurodegeneration.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lys Therapeutics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Novartis AG: Major pharmaceutical company with neurological disease franchises including MS therapies (Gilenya, Kesimpta) and stroke/cardiovascular products; potential partner/acquirer for LYS241 in stroke and MS indications.
- Biogen Inc. Major neurology-focused biopharmaceutical company with leading MS franchise (Tysabri, Tecfidera) and Parkinson's programs; Lys's Board Chairman Michel Vounatsos is Biogen's former CEO, making it a natural strategic acquirer/licensor.
- Roche / Genentech: Major biopharmaceutical company with Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) for MS and a large neurological disease pipeline including mAb-based therapies — broad incumbent with overlapping CNS mAb capabilities.
Direct peers
- Prothena Corporation: Clinical-stage biotech developing monoclonal antibodies for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (prasinezumab) and MS-related indications, with the same core thesis of targeting misfolded proteins via antibody therapeutics.
- Denali Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing antibody-based therapeutics for neurodegeneration and lysosomal storage diseases, with programs for Parkinson's disease and MS — directly comparable mAb-platform competitor in CNS indications.
- BioArctic AB: Swedish biotech developing monoclonal antibodies for neurodegenerative diseases, notably lecanemab (partnered with Eisai/Biogen) for Alzheimer's and a Parkinson's antibody program — directly comparable antibody-based neuro approach.
- AB Science: French clinical-stage biotech developing masitinib for neurodegenerative diseases (ALS, MS, Alzheimer's) and other inflammatory conditions; similar stage, geographic footprint, and neuro disease focus.
- reMYND NV: Belgian preclinical/early-clinical biotech developing disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes; comparable preclinical neuro pipeline and small-cap European profile.
Emerging players
- AC Immune SA: Swiss clinical-stage biotech developing vaccines and antibodies against neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS) — overlapping neuro indication space with a slightly more advanced pipeline.
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage biotech with CNS-penetrating siRNA therapeutics including for neurodegeneration (e.g., ATTR amyloidosis programs); shares the platform-based biotech approach to CNS diseases and partnership-driven commercialization model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lys Therapeutics social profiles
Digital presenceLys Therapeutics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lys Therapeutics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Lys Therapeutics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lys Therapeutics 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 Lys Therapeutics
What does Lys Therapeutics do?
Lys Therapeutics develops LYS241 (Glunozumab/Glunomab), a first-in-class fully humanized Fc-silent IgG1 monoclonal antibody that prevents pathological binding of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to NMDA receptors in blood vessels, restoring blood-brain barrier integrity to treat neurovascular and neurodegenerative diseases including ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. The company is pre-commercial and advances its lead candidate through preclinical and early clinical development, intending to monetize via licensing and co-development partnerships with pharmaceutical companies.
Is Lys Therapeutics a public or private company?
Lys Therapeutics is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Lys Therapeutics founded?
Lys Therapeutics was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lys Therapeutics based?
Lys Therapeutics is headquartered in Lyon, France, in the Europe region.
How does Lys Therapeutics make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Biopharmaceutical Development and Licensing is the primary driver. The others are strategic Partnerships and Collaborations.
Who are Lys Therapeutics's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Novartis AG, Biogen Inc. and Roche / Genentech. Direct peers are Prothena Corporation, Denali Therapeutics, BioArctic AB, AB Science and reMYND NV. Emerging players are AC Immune SA and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.
Does Lys Therapeutics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lys Therapeutics.
What industry is Lys Therapeutics in?
Lys Therapeutics's product category is Neurological Biopharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAAAA, Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics (mAbs), with a secondary code of HLAGAFAN, Nonclinical Study Management & Regulatory Writing (IND-enabling). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2834.