Sea Pharmaceuticals
Sea Pharmaceuticals is a privately held pre-clinical biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary oral dual AMPAR/KAINR antagonist (DAKA) small molecules targeting tinnitus, epilepsy, and sporadic ALS, with lead candidate SPM-0404 in IND-enabling studies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sea Pharmaceuticals does
Sea Pharmaceuticals, LLC is a privately held, pre-clinical stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2013 by J.P. Pearson (President, CEO, CSO) and E.J. Martinez (VP Chemistry, co-founder), operating from Cambridge, Massachusetts with 11-50 employees. The company develops proprietary oral synthetic small molecule neurotherapeutics for high-need central nervous system (CNS) disorders, targeting constant bothersome tinnitus, epilepsy, and sporadic ALS (S-ALS) indications that collectively address millions of underserved U.S. patients.
The company's core technology platform consists of dual AMPAR/KAINR antagonists (DAKAs), synthetic small molecules designed to selectively inhibit both AMPA and kainate glutamate receptors and thereby dampen excitatory glutamate neurotransmission in the CNS. Lead candidate SPM-0404 is in IND-enabling studies and demonstrates CNS penetration with acceptable pharmacokinetics in rats and non-human primates, anti-seizure efficacy in mouse 6-Hz and rat MES seizure models, and in vitro activity confirmed via whole cell patch-clamp electrophysiology using rat neurons and human HEK293 recombinant cells. A second-generation candidate, SPM-0606, extends the portfolio. The DAKA chemistry is protected by a 100% Sea-owned patent estate covering composition of matter for both compounds, with selective dual-receptor antagonism positioned as a differentiated approach versus prior single-target AMPAR or KAINR antagonists.
As a pre-clinical R&D company with no FDA-approved or commercialized products, Sea Pharmaceuticals generates no revenue and operates a capital-funded, partnership-driven business model. Strategic collaborations with TCG GreenChem, Inc. (November 2024) for cGMP process development and with Inotiv, Inc. (April 2025) for IND-enabling pre-clinical studies outsource the operational execution required to advance SPM-0404 toward regulatory filing. Capital is sourced from securities offerings registered via SEC exemptions (approximately $1.49M sold of a $2M filing, plus an additional $417K raised in February 2025), with proceeds allocated primarily to personnel compensation. Marketing and distribution channels remain undeveloped, with go-to-market economics contingent on future FDA approval and subsequent commercialization through specialty pharmacy and HCP channels for prescription CNS therapeutics.
Sea Pharmaceuticals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sea Pharmaceuticals
- Legal name
- Sea Pharmaceuticals, LLC
- Website
- https://seapharmaceuticals.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sea Pharmaceuticals is a privately held pre-clinical biopharmaceutical company developing proprietary oral dual AMPAR/KAINR antagonist (DAKA) small molecules targeting tinnitus, epilepsy, and sporadic ALS, with lead candidate SPM-0404 in IND-enabling studies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sea Pharmaceuticals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Neurotherapeutics R&D
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Rare Neurology & Neurodegenerative Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAD), Lead Optimization & Preclinical Candidate Selection (HLAIALAB)
Keywords
Where Sea Pharmaceuticals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sea Pharmaceuticals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations
Marketing channels4 records
Sea Pharmaceuticals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sea Pharmaceuticals is a private pre-clinical stage therapeutics R&D company developing proprietary synthetic small molecule drug candidates known as Dual AMPAR/KAINR Antagonists (DAKAs). Lead molecule SPM-0404 and second-generation SPM-0606 are being advanced through IND-enabling studies as potential oral treatments for constant bothersome tinnitus, epilepsy, and sporadic ALS. The molecules dampen excitatory glutamate neurotransmission in the CNS and demonstrate CNS penetration with acceptable pharmacokinetics in multiple species.
Product overview
Sea Pharmaceuticals is a private pre-clinical stage therapeutics R&D company developing a portfolio of proprietary synthetic small molecule neurotherapeutics targeting the glutamate pathway. The company's core pipeline consists of two drug candidates: lead molecule SPM-0404 and second-generation molecule SPM-0606, both functioning as dual AMPAR/KAINR antagonists (DAKAs). These oral CNS-penetrant compounds are being developed for high-need neurological disorders including tinnitus, epilepsy, and sporadic ALS. The company was founded in 2013 by J.P. Pearson and E.J. Martinez and operates from Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SPM-0404 Sea Pharmaceuticals' lead molecule SPM-0404 is a synthetic small molecule Dual AMPAR/KAINR Antagonist (DAKA) currently in IND-enabling studies. It is being developed as a potential oral treatment for constant bothersome tinnitus (CBT), epilepsy, and sporadic ALS (S-ALS). The molecule demonstrates potent and selective in vitro biological activity in whole cell patch-clamp electrophysiology recordings using rat neurons and human recombinant cells, and shows CNS penetration in rats and non-human primates with acceptable pharmacokinetics.
- SPM-0606 A second-generation synthetic small molecule Dual AMPAR/KAINR Antagonist (DAKA) in Sea Pharmaceuticals' neurotherapeutic portfolio. SPM-0606 targets the glutamate neurotransmitter pathway for potential oral treatment of CNS disorders including tinnitus, epilepsy, and ALS, and is protected within Sea's 100% Sea-owned composition-of-matter patent estate.
Companies that use Sea Pharmaceuticals
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sea Pharmaceuticals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Sea Pharmaceuticals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Inotiv, Inc. (NASDAQ:NOTV)coreStrategic relationship with Inotiv Inc. selected for pre-clinical development IND-enabling studies to support advancement of SPM-0404. Inotiv will perform development strategy, IND-enabling studies, and investigative studies. Dr. John E. Sagartz DVM PhD serves as Inotiv's Chief Strategy Officer and has collaborated with Dr. Pearson for over 20 years. Inotiv has contributed to development of many FDA-approved medicines worldwide and hundreds of IND molecules.
- TCG GreenChem, Inc.coreStrategic collaboration with TCG GreenChem, Inc. of Ewing NJ USA for chemical development of lead molecule SPM-0404. TCG GC will conduct process optimization and analytical method development for cGMP manufacturing of SPM-0404 for IND-enabling studies and clinical trials. Chris H. Senanayake PhD (Founder, CEO & CSO) and Joe D. Armstrong III PhD (Chief Business Officer) are synthetic organic chemists with >500 IND molecules and several FDA-approved drugs in combined >65 years in pharma industry.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Sea Pharmaceuticals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sage Therapeutics: CNS-focused clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel neurotherapeutics for epilepsy and other CNS disorders. Directly comparable as a CNS small-molecule developer targeting underserved neurological indications with high unmet need.
- Marinus Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage CNS company developing therapeutics for seizure disorders, including refractory epilepsies. Comparable target indications and small-molecule CNS strategy overlapping with Sea's epilepsy program.
- Praxis Precision Medicines: Clinical-stage CNS company developing precision therapies for neurological disorders including epilepsy. Similar small-molecule approach and CNS pipeline profile make it a direct comparable.
- Longboard Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage CNS company focused on novel treatments for neurological diseases. Comparable as a small-cap public CNS pharma targeting underserved neurological indications with small-molecule chemistry.
- Xenon Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage CNS biopharma with a focus on epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Comparable small-molecule CNS development strategy and indication overlap with Sea's epilepsy program.
- Tonix Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage CNS-focused biopharma developing small-molecule therapeutics across neurology and psychiatry indications. Comparable as a CNS small-molecule developer at similar pre-clinical/early clinical stage.
Emerging players
- Otonomy: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on otology, including tinnitus and hearing-related disorders. Directly comparable in the tinnitus indication where Sea is also competing.
- Frequency Therapeutics: Clinical-stage company developing regenerative therapeutics for hearing loss with tinnitus-related indications. Comparable as an emerging player addressing the same otologic/neurology patient populations.
Broad incumbents
- Acadia Pharmaceuticals: Commercial-stage CNS specialty pharma with a marketed neurology/neuropsychiatry portfolio. Relevant as a larger incumbent operating in Sea's CNS specialty space and a likely partner/acquirer profile.
Others
- Inotiv: Public CRO providing pre-clinical drug development services including IND-enabling studies. Listed as a peer because Sea has selected Inotiv as its IND-enabling partner, making it both an operational collaborator and a relevant comparand for outsourced CNS pre-clinical development.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sea Pharmaceuticals social profiles
Digital presenceSea Pharmaceuticals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sea Pharmaceuticals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Sea Pharmaceuticals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sea Pharmaceuticals 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 Sea Pharmaceuticals
What does Sea Pharmaceuticals do?
Sea Pharmaceuticals is a private pre-clinical stage therapeutics R&D company developing proprietary synthetic small molecule drug candidates known as Dual AMPAR/KAINR Antagonists (DAKAs). Lead molecule SPM-0404 and second-generation SPM-0606 are being advanced through IND-enabling studies as potential oral treatments for constant bothersome tinnitus, epilepsy, and sporadic ALS. The molecules dampen excitatory glutamate neurotransmission in the CNS and demonstrate CNS penetration with acceptable pharmacokinetics in multiple species.
Is Sea Pharmaceuticals a public or private company?
Sea Pharmaceuticals is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Sea Pharmaceuticals founded?
Sea Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sea Pharmaceuticals based?
Sea Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Sea Pharmaceuticals's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sage Therapeutics, Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Praxis Precision Medicines, Longboard Pharmaceuticals, Xenon Pharmaceuticals and Tonix Pharmaceuticals. Emerging players are Otonomy and Frequency Therapeutics. Acadia Pharmaceuticals is listed as a broad incumbent. Inotiv is listed as an others.
Does Sea Pharmaceuticals have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sea Pharmaceuticals.
What industry is Sea Pharmaceuticals in?
Sea Pharmaceuticals's product category is Neurotherapeutics R&D. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAAAF, Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAIAD, Rare Neurology & Neurodegenerative Disorder Therapies. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2834.