Indiana University Co-Founder Launches Startup to Advance Alzheimer’s Drug Development into Clinical Trials

Here’s a breakdown of the key information from the provided text, focusing on the establishment of Monument Biosciences and its connection to Indiana University:

Key Points:

Monument Biosciences Launched: A new biotech company, Monument Biosciences, has been launched to develop therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. It spun out from research conducted at the Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine.
TREAT-AD Connection: The company is based on discoveries made through the Translational Research in Alzheimer’s Disease (TREAT-AD) center at IU.
Location & Support: Monument Biosciences is incubated within the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI), and shares space with other bioscience companies (Luson Bioventures and Syndeio Biosciences) and the TREAT-AD laboratories.
Key Researchers: The company was co-founded by Derek Small, and is closely linked to IU school of Medicine researchers Bruce T. Lamb and Timothy Richardson (co-principal investigators of TREAT-AD). Focus on Neuroinflammation: Monument Biosciences is specifically focused on neuroinflammation, a key area of research for the TREAT-AD center.
IU’s Alzheimer’s Research Strength: The IU School of Medicine has a strong, comprehensive Alzheimer’s disease research program that has even attracted attention from Bill Gates.

Essentially, the article details how IU research is being translated into a commercial venture with the goal of developing treatments for Alzheimer’s.

## NG Bridge: bridging the Gap in Alzheimer’s Drug Development – Key Takeaways

Published: 2025/08/20 18:07:15 | Author: Dr. Priya Deshmukh

Bridging the Gap: From Lab Discovery to Alzheimer’s Treatment

A new biotechnology startup, NeuroGenesis Bridge (NG Bridge), founded by Dr. William (Bill) Van Nostrand, a co-founder of Indiana University’s (IU) Neurodiagnostics program, is poised to accelerate the notoriously slow process of translating promising Alzheimer’s disease research into viable clinical trials. This venture addresses a critical bottleneck in neurodegenerative disease drug development – the “valley of death” between initial scientific breakthroughs and human testing. NG Bridge focuses on de-risking early-stage Alzheimer’s therapeutics and preparing them for Phase I clinical studies.

The Challenge of Alzheimer’s Drug Development

Developing effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease remains one of the most important challenges in modern medicine. The failure rate for potential drugs is exceptionally high, often exceeding 99%. Several factors contribute to this:

Complexity of the Disease: alzheimer’s is a multifaceted disease with multiple contributing factors, including amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and neuroinflammation.

Early Detection Difficulties: Diagnosing Alzheimer’s at its earliest stages, when interventions are most likely to be effective, is often difficult. Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s are improving, but widespread, accessible testing remains a hurdle.

Translation Issues: Promising results in preclinical studies (cell cultures and animal models) frequently fail to translate to positive outcomes in human clinical trials.

Funding & Resources: Securing funding for early-stage Alzheimer’s research is competitive, and the cost of clinical trials is significant.

NG Bridge aims to mitigate these challenges by providing a specialized suite of services.

NeuroGenesis Bridge: A focused Approach

NG Bridge isn’t developing drugs directly; instead, it acts as a crucial intermediary, offering expertise and resources to academic researchers and smaller biotech companies. Their core services include:

1. Target Validation: Rigorous assessment of drug targets to ensure their relevance to Alzheimer’s pathology. This includes advanced neuropathology analysis and genetic studies.
2. Preclinical Optimization: Refining drug candidates to improve their efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic properties (how the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted).
3. Biomarker Strategy: Developing and validating Alzheimer’s biomarkers to track drug response in clinical trials. This is crucial for demonstrating efficacy.
4. Regulatory Guidance: Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the FDA and other governing bodies to ensure smooth progression towards clinical trials.
5. Clinical Trial Design: Assisting with the design of robust and efficient clinical trials, maximizing the chances of success. Clinical trial recruitment for Alzheimer’s is notoriously difficult, and NG Bridge offers strategies to improve participation.

Leveraging Indiana University Expertise

Dr. Van Nostrand’s deep roots at Indiana University are a significant asset for NG Bridge. The company will leverage the university’s extensive resources, including:

The IU Alzheimer’s Disease Center: A leading research center dedicated to understanding and treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Advanced Imaging Facilities: Access to state-of-the-art brain imaging technologies, such as PET scans and MRI, for tracking disease progression and drug response.

Expertise in Neuroinflammation: IU researchers are at the forefront of understanding the role of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s, a key area of therapeutic focus.

Collaboration with the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute: Fostering collaborative research efforts to accelerate discovery.

The Role of Novel Therapeutics & Emerging Research

NG Bridge is notably interested in supporting the development of novel therapeutic approaches, including:

Immunotherapies: Drugs that harness the power of the immune system to clear amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Anti-amyloid antibodies are a prominent example, though challenges remain in delivery and efficacy.

Neuroprotective Agents: Compounds that protect neurons from damage and death.

Gene Therapies: Approaches that aim to correct genetic defects that contribute to alzheimer’s risk.

Small Molecule Drugs: Targeting specific pathways involved in Alzheimer’s pathology. Tau aggregation inhibitors are a current area of intense research.

Microbiome Research: Emerging evidence suggests the gut microbiome plays a role in Alzheimer’s development, opening up new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Benefits of a Dedicated Translational Hub

The creation of NG Bridge exemplifies a growing trend in the pharmaceutical industry – the need for specialized translational hubs. These hubs offer several benefits:

Reduced Risk: By de-risking early-stage projects, NG Bridge makes them more attractive to investors.

Faster Development: Streamlining the process of moving from lab to clinic accelerates the development of new treatments.

Increased Efficiency: Leveraging expertise and resources avoids duplication of effort and reduces costs.

Improved Success Rates: A focused approach increases the likelihood of triumphant clinical trials.

attracting Investment: A strong pipeline of promising therapeutics attracts further investment in Alzheimer’s drug discovery.

Real-World Example: The Importance of Biomarker Validation

A recent case study involving a small biotech company developing a novel tau-targeting therapy highlights the importance of biomarker validation. The company initially showed promising results in animal models, but struggled to demonstrate efficacy in a Phase I clinical trial. NG Bridge was brought in to assist with biomarker development.Thru rigorous analysis, they identified a more sensitive and specific biomarker that could accurately track drug response. This allowed the company to refine its clinical trial design and ultimately demonstrate positive results in a subsequent Phase II study. This demonstrates the power of precise Alzheimer’s diagnostics.

Practical Tips for Researchers Seeking Collaboration

Researchers with promising Alzheimer’s therapeutics can maximize their chances of success by:

Early Engagement: Contacting NG Bridge early in the development process to discuss potential collaboration opportunities.

Strong data Package: Presenting a comprehensive data package demonstrating the efficacy and safety of their drug candidate.

Clear Intellectual Property: Ensuring clear ownership of intellectual property rights.

Open Interaction: Maintaining open and obvious communication throughout the collaboration process.

* Focus on Translational Potential: Emphasizing the potential for their research to translate into a clinically meaningful treatment.