Viage Therapeutics, a neuroscience company based on a platform of novel neurotherapeutics, was founded in 2018. The company is based on the ground-breaking research of Dr. Kousaku Ohinata from Kyoto University.
DGX-001, Viage’s clinical drug candidate, represents a first-in-class oral drug candidate targeting the gut-brain axis. The proposed mechanism of action of DGX-001 is to modulate the vagus nerve through specific receptor interactions on enteroendocrine cells in the gut, resulting in a regulation of brain cell activity.
DGX-001 is in clinical development and was well-tolerated in a healthy volunteer Phase 1 study, consistent with its positive safety profile in preclinical GLP studies. In the clinical study, DGX-001 increased specific brain activity (EEG measures) and a post hoc analysis indicated improvements in cognition based on Cogstate tests. Furthermore, human PK measurements have so far been undetectable systemically, confirming the preclinical finding the drug candidate is gut-restricted and gut-acting, which may further minimize off-target side effects as majority of PD patients suffer from comorbidities and polypharmacy.
Viage plans to initiate the Phase 2 program of DGX-001, which initially aims to achieve cognitive improvement across different diseases, representing a transdiagnostic study design, which may ultimately enable indications beyond neurology and psychiatry.
Viage’s pipeline is comprised of both novel neuropeptides and 2nd generation DGX-001-derived peptides and small molecules. It includes SAR-optimized drug candidates with potential in cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, and inflammatory disease. The drug candidates are gut-acting and gut-restricted, which suggests an advantageous safety profile, particularly compared to most approved psychiatric drugs which suffer from numerous side effects.
The Company is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area.
