What Minerva Neuroscience does

Minerva Neurosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics, with its lead program, roluperidone (MIN-101), in a confirmatory Phase 3 trial for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia—an indication with no FDA-approved therapy. Roluperidone is a proprietary compound acting as a 5-HT2A and sigma-1 receptor antagonist, designed to address the cognitive and affective symptom domains that antipsychotics largely fail to treat. The company is also developing MIN-301, a preclinical neuregulin-1 (NRG-1)-based asset for Parkinson's disease.

The company was founded to build a CNS-focused pipeline and operates from Massachusetts with a small (1–10 employee) organization consistent with a lean clinical-stage structure. Beyond its active pipeline, Minerva retains a royalty interest in seltorexant, an orexin-2 receptor antagonist partnered with Royalty Pharma, which provides a non-dilutive, contingent upside stream.

Minerva is currently pre-revenue and does not commercialize any products. Its economic model rests on three pillars: (1) eventual commercial launch of roluperidone in the U.S. and Europe, likely via specialty CNS channels targeting psychiatrists and high-volume schizophrenia prescribers; (2) selective out-licensing or partnership economics for MIN-301 if it advances; and (3) royalty income from seltorexant if approved by its partner. Capital for development has come primarily from equity issuance, most recently a $200 million private placement tranche structure.

Name

Minerva Neuroscience

Legal name

Minerva Neurosciences, Inc.

Website

https://minervaneurosciences.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Minerva Neurosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing CNS therapies, with lead candidate roluperidone in Phase 3 trials for negative symptoms of schizophrenia. It also holds a preclinical Parkinson's asset and a royalty interest in seltorexant.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CNS Therapeutics

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neurology/CNS Gene Therapies (HLAAACAH), Rare Neurology & Neurodegenerative Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAD)

Keywords

• Clinical stage biopharmaceutical
• CNS therapeutics
• Schizophrenia treatment
• Central nervous system drugs
• Neurological drug development

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Seltorexant Royalties: Following opt-out from joint development with Janssen in 2020, Minerva is entitled to collect royalties in mid-single digits on potential future sales of seltorexant worldwide in certain indications. Royalty Pharma acquired this royalty interest in January 2021 for $60M upfront plus up to $95M in additional milestone payments.
2. Roluperidone Commercial Sales (Future): Potential future commercial revenue from roluperidone for treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia. If approved, roluperidone would be the first and only FDA-approved therapy specifically targeting this patient population. Peak U.S. sales projected at approximately $1.9 billion by 2034.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Minerva Neurosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of product candidates to treat central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Its lead candidate, roluperidone (MIN-101), is in Phase 3 development for the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia, with additional preclinical candidate MIN-301 targeting Parkinson's disease and a retained royalty interest in seltorexant.

Product overview

Minerva Neurosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of central nervous system disorder treatments. The company's core pipeline consists of three product candidates: Roluperidone (MIN-101) for negative symptoms of schizophrenia (Phase 3 stage), MIN-301 for Parkinson's disease (preclinical stage), and Seltorexant for insomnia/MDD (royalty interest only, currently in Phase 3 by Janssen). The company is preparing for potential FDA approval and commercial launch of roluperidone, which would be the first treatment specifically targeting negative symptoms of schizophrenia in the United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Roluperidone (MIN-101) Roluperidone is a novel compound that blocks serotonin (5-HT2A), sigma2, and alpha-1A adrenergic receptors. It is being developed for the treatment of negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, addressing symptoms such as asociality, anhedonia, alogia, avolition, and blunted affect. It also promotes slow wave sleep disrupted in schizophrenia patients.
• MIN-301 MIN-301 is a recombinant form of neuregulin-1β1 protein in preclinical development for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It has shown potential to slow disease onset and restore brain tissue damage by activating ErbB4 receptors, with potential to restore motor function and produce positive cognitive effects in preclinical models.
• Seltorexant (Royalty Interest) Seltorexant is an insomnia and major depressive disorder (MDD) treatment candidate originally co-developed with Janssen. Minerva no longer develops the asset directly but retains royalty rights in mid-single digits on potential future sales worldwide in certain indications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Peak U.S. sales projected at approximately $1.9 billion by 2034 with 65% probability of approval and 20% peak market penetration in the 650,000-patient market
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Janssen Pharmaceutica NVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Previously co-developed seltorexant with Janssen for insomnia and MDD. Minerva exercised its right to opt out of joint development in 2020, retaining royalty rights in mid-single digits on future sales.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Intra-Cellular Therapies: CNS-focused biopharma with Caplyta (lumateperone) approved for schizophrenia and bipolar depression; most directly comparable late-stage CNS specialty pharma competitor with overlapping schizophrenia commercial strategy.
• Karuna Therapeutics (Bristol Myers Squibb): Developed xanomeline + trospium for schizophrenia targeting muscarinic receptors; now part of BMS. Most direct mechanistic alternative in the negative-symptom/adjacent schizophrenia space, now with deep commercial resources.
• Cerevel Therapeutics (AbbVie): CNS pipeline including emraclidine (M4 muscarinic agonist) in schizophrenia Phase 3; acquired by AbbVie in 2024. Comparable CNS specialty pharma with overlapping schizophrenia development and AbbVie-backed commercialization.
• Alkermes: Established CNS biopharma with ARISTADA (aripiprazole lauroxil) for schizophrenia and Lybalvi (olanzapine/samidorphan). Direct competitor in the schizophrenia commercial market with existing specialty sales infrastructure.
• Axsome Therapeutics: CNS-focused commercial-stage biopharma with Auvelity (dextromethorphan/bupropion) for MDD and other CNS assets in development; comparable small-cap CNS specialty pharma with similar commercial launch profile.
• Sage Therapeutics (now part of Biogen): CNS-focused biopharma developing therapies in depression and neurology; recently acquired by Biogen. Closely comparable CNS specialty R&D profile targeting high-unmet-need psychiatric and neurologic indications.

Broad incumbents

• Acadia Pharmaceuticals: Larger CNS specialty biopharma with NUPLAZID for Parkinson's-disease psychosis and a broader CNS pipeline; overlapping neurology/psychiatry therapeutic focus with comparable patient-targeting model.
• Sumitomo Pharma America (formerly Sunovion/Latuda): Established CNS incumbent with LATUDA (lurasidone) for schizophrenia and depression; broader psychiatry commercial portfolio. Comparable established CNS commercial organization with direct schizophrenia franchise overlap.

Emerging players

• Neumora Therapeutics: Clinical-stage CNS biopharma developing therapies for depression and schizophrenia with mechanism-diverse pipeline; comparable preclinical/early-clinical stage company targeting similar patient populations.
• BioXcel Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biopharma with IGALMI (dexmedetomidine) approved for acute agitation in schizophrenia/bipolar and an AI-driven pipeline. Comparable small CNS specialty company targeting schizophrenia-related symptoms.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors23 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 Minerva Neuroscience