Cognition Therapeutics

Cognition Therapeutics

Cognition Therapeutics (CogRx) is an innovative research and drug discovery organization focused on the development of novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases (NDD), with a lead program in Alzheimer’s disease targeted to enter the clinic in 2014. Its Alzheimer’s disease program is comprised of small molecule therapeutic candidates that block the action of toxic soluble beta-amyloid oligomer proteins that cause progressive memory loss, the primary and devastating hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Using its proprietary discovery platforms, CogRx has discovered first-in-class receptor antagonist compounds that selectively block these soluble beta-amyloid oligomers from causing cognitive decline. 

SUSAN CATALANO, Ph.D.
FOUNDER

Dr. Catalano received her B.A. from Barnard College and Ph.D. from U.C. Irvine, and did postdoctoral training at U.C. Berkeley and Caltech in the field of neurobiology. While a scientist at Roche Palo Alto, she led Neurophysiology and Neuroimaging groups and an exploratory program in psychiatric disorders. Following this, Dr. Catalano joined Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and led the team that discovered the Aurora kinase inhibitor R763, licensed to Serono for $135M in 2005. Dr. Catalano founded a successful consulting practice, Drug Discovery Imaging, and then served as Director of Discovery Biology for Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Catalano founded Cognition Therapeutics Inc. in 2007 to discover and develop drugs to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s disease and currently serves as its Chief Science Officer. The company is currently advancing its candidate drugs towards the clinic. She also volunteers as the Executive Scientific Director of Pittsburgh-based nonprofit the Clear Thoughts Foundation.

 

 

  • Above:
    Old view of Alzheimer’s: Beta-amyloid fibrils and plaque are the culprit.

  • Above:
    New view of Alzheimer’s: Beta-amyloid oligomers are the culprit.

  • Above:
    Beta-amyloid oligomers binding to receptors on some of the brains cells in the dish are visible under the microscope.

  • Above:
    Oligomers are not able to bind to brain cells and block memory function in the presence of CogRx drugs.

  • Above:
    CogRx has made these groundbreaking discoveries in their South Side labs, located in a former Gimbel's warehouse, in the shadow of the old J&L steel mill.