Neurobiogen

What Neurobiogen does

Neurobiogen (뉴로바이오젠) is a privately-held, clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, founded in 2019 and operating as a subsidiary of Synergy Innovation (시너지이노베이션), a KOSDAQ-listed Korean pharmaceutical firm. The company focuses exclusively on the research and development of a single drug candidate, Tisolagiline (KDS2010) — a reversible and selective monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor that blocks excessive GABA production in astrocytes via the astrocytic MAOB-GABA axis, thereby enabling nerve regeneration. Under a stated "One Drug, Multi-Use" strategy, the same molecule is being pursued across multiple central nervous system and metabolic indications: Alzheimer's disease, obesity, spinal cord injury, and PTSD. The platform has been peer-validated through a publication in Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy (Nature Portfolio, IF 57.2) documenting first-in-class evidence that the MAOB-GABA axis operates as a molecular brake on nerve repair following spinal cord injury, with co-research contributions from Yonsei University College of Medicine, the Institute for Basic Science, Seoul National University, and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology.

The lead candidate has completed Phase 1 trials in 88 subjects with a favorable safety profile, no serious adverse events, and an approximately 44-hour half-life, with Phase 2a trials currently progressing in Korea for Alzheimer's disease and obesity indications. Neurobiogen's go-to-market is structured around global out-licensing rather than direct commercialization: in April 2025, the company executed a global technology transfer agreement valued at approximately 6.5 trillion KRW (~$4.8 billion) with Scilex Bio Inc. — a joint venture between US-based Scilex Holding Inc. and IPMC under the BioOpen Innovation Promotion Association — transferring global development and commercialization rights to Tisolagiline across all indications. As a pre-revenue R&D entity with no commercial products and no publicly disclosed pricing, the company monetizes via licensing royalties and milestone payments under this single flagship agreement, supported by ongoing clinical development and institutional research collaborations.

Name

Neurobiogen

Legal name

뉴로바이오젠 주식회사

Website

https://neurobiogen.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Neurobiogen is a Seoul-based clinical-stage biotech subsidiary of Synergy Innovation developing Tisolagiline (KDS2010), a reversible MAO-B inhibitor targeting the MAOB-GABA axis for Alzheimer's, obesity, spinal cord injury, and PTSD through a global out-licensing model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical-stage CNS and metabolic disease drug development

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neural & Spinal Cord Regeneration (HLAAAGAI), Rare Neurology & Neurodegenerative Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAD), Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAF)

Keywords

• Neurodegenerative disease therapeutics
• MAO-B inhibitor drug development
• Central nervous system drug pipeline
• Clinical-stage biotechnology
• Pharmaceutical technology licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Global Licensing Revenue: Neurobiogen generates revenue through global technology transfer agreements. In April 2025, the company signed a global licensing deal worth approximately 6.5 trillion KRW (~$4.8 billion) with Scilex Bio Inc. for Tisolagiline across all indications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Neurobiogen is a clinical-stage R&D biotech developing Tisolagiline (KDS2010), a reversible selective MAO-B inhibitor that targets the astrocytic MAOB–GABA axis to enable nerve regeneration. The drug candidate is being advanced for Alzheimer's disease, obesity, spinal cord injury, and PTSD, with Phase 2a trials underway in Korea and global commercialization out-licensed to Scilex Bio Inc.

Product overview

Neurobiogen is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative drugs for global unmet medical needs, specifically neurodegenerative brain diseases and metabolic diseases. The company's primary pipeline product is Tisolagiline (KDS2010), a novel drug candidate targeting the MAOB-GABA axis. The drug is currently in Phase 2a clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease and obesity, with preclinical research demonstrating potential for treating spinal cord injury and PTSD.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tisolagiline (KDS2010) A novel, reversible, selective monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor drug candidate that blocks excessive GABA production in astrocytes to restore proBDNF and enable nerve regeneration. Being developed for Alzheimer's disease, obesity, spinal cord injury, and PTSD; out-licensed globally to Scilex Bio Inc. in April 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• Phase 1 trial: 88 subjects, good overall safety, no serious adverse events, half-life ~44 hours

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• IPMC (International Precision Medical Center)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Part of BioOpen Innovation Promotion Association; co-invested with Scilex Holding Inc. to establish Scilex Bio Inc. for Neurobiogen's Tisolagiline development.
• Yonsei University College of Medicine (Dept. of Neurosurgery, Professor Ha Yun)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-research partner in spinal cord injury study published in Nature portfolio journal, contributing to the joint discovery of MAO-B/GABA axis mechanism.
• IBS (Institute for Basic Science) - Director Chang-Jun LeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating research institution for basic science research on MAO-B mechanism and nerve regeneration.
• Seoul National University Clinical Trial Center (Professor Seung-Hwan Lee)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner providing clinical trial expertise and infrastructure for drug development studies.
• KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology) - Director Ki-Duk ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner contributing scientific expertise in the MAO-B/GABA axis research and drug mechanism studies.
• Synergy Innovation (주)시너지이노베이션)coreOthersParent company of Neurobiogen. Listed company on KOSDAQ providing corporate governance and strategic direction.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cassava Sciences: Clinical-stage biotech developing therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Directly comparable to Neurobiogen as a CNS-focused, pre-revenue biotech pursuing novel mechanisms for Alzheimer's with similar development-stage risk profile.
• Anavex Life Sciences: Clinical-stage biotech developing treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other CNS disorders through novel small-molecule mechanisms. Highly comparable to Neurobiogen in target indications, modality (small-molecule CNS drug), and pre-commercial stage.
• Sage Therapeutics: Neuroscience-focused biotech developing CNS therapeutics including treatments for depression and neurological conditions. Comparable through CNS specialization, small-molecule pipeline, and partnership-driven commercialization model.
• Intra-Cellular Therapies: CNS-focused biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for neuropsychiatric and neurologic disorders. Comparable to Neurobiogen through CNS indication focus and small-molecule CNS drug development with similar commercialization approaches.
• Cerevel Therapeutics: Clinical-stage neuroscience company developing therapies for CNS disorders including Parkinson's, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. Comparable to Neurobiogen through neuroscience focus and CNS small-molecule pipeline.

Broad incumbents

• Acadia Pharmaceuticals: Established CNS-focused pharmaceutical company commercializing treatments for Parkinson's disease psychosis, Rett syndrome, and other CNS disorders. Comparable to Neurobiogen in CNS focus but a larger, commercialized incumbent.
• Alkermes: Established CNS-focused biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for CNS disorders including depression and schizophrenia. Comparable through CNS specialization and orphan-disease focus, but a much larger and commercial-stage peer.

Emerging players

• Denali Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Comparable to Neurobiogen through neurodegenerative indication focus and innovative mechanism-driven approach, though more advanced in clinical development.
• Neuralstem (now Palisade Bio): Clinical-stage company historically focused on neural regeneration and CNS treatments. Comparable to Neurobiogen through focus on nerve regeneration and CNS repair mechanisms, though with different modality (cell therapy).
• BioXcel Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company applying AI to develop transformative medicines in neuroscience and immuno-oncology. Comparable through CNS clinical-stage focus and novel mechanism approach to neurological conditions.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Neurobiogen