Transneural Therapeutics, a preclinical-stage biotechnology company, announced its emergence from stealth mode on April 22, 2025, with a mission to transform the treatment landscape for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. The company, spun out from CaaMTech, is developing a pipeline of novel non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogens designed to address significant unmet needs in mental health treatment.
The Seattle-based company's lead asset, TN-001, represents a significant advancement in serotonergic drug development. It functions as a dual 5-HT2A partial agonist and 5-HT2B antagonist, engineered to promote rapid, antidepressant-associated neuroplasticity without the hallucinations or dissociative effects typically associated with psychedelic compounds.
"There remains a high level of unmet need for patients suffering from depression and PTSD," said Charmaine Lykins, Chief Executive Officer of Transneural Therapeutics. "About 30% to 50% of depressed patients inadequately respond to available treatments and 33% of those with PTSD are treatment resistant. Treatment options for these patients are burdened with safety issues and intolerable side effects."
Novel Therapeutic Approach
TN-001 is currently in preclinical development for major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The compound was designed on an AI-engineered chemical scaffold unlike any published psychedelic agent, according to the company.
What distinguishes TN-001 from traditional psychedelics is its tailored receptor engagement profile. The compound aims to deliver the therapeutic benefits associated with psychedelic treatments while eliminating the perceptual effects that necessitate clinical supervision. This property could potentially allow for traditional dosing regimens, improving patient access within existing healthcare delivery models.
Dr. Andrew Chadeayne, CaaMTech CEO, emphasized the significance of this approach: "After nearly a decade of fundamental science and collaboration, we have developed a portfolio of novel serotonergic neuroplastogens that promises the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs while also satisfying the practical requirements of pharmaceutical products."
Addressing Critical Treatment Gaps
The development of TN-001 addresses significant gaps in current treatment options for depression and PTSD. Current statistics indicate that approximately 30-50% of patients with depression do not adequately respond to available treatments, while one-third of PTSD patients are considered treatment-resistant.
Transneural's approach leverages recent advances in artificial intelligence and GPCR neurobiology to design molecules that can precisely target complex neurological conditions. The company's pipeline focuses on non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogens designed for targeted engagement of serotonergic receptors known to have therapeutic effects in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Leadership with Deep CNS Expertise
Transneural will be led by Charmaine Lykins, a pharmaceutical industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in developing and commercializing medicines for central nervous system disorders. Her extensive background includes Chief Commercial Officer roles at Karuna and MapLight, and executive positions at ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Lundbeck, Sunovion, and Lilly.
Throughout her career, Lykins has contributed to the development and launch of several blockbuster products, including REXULTI® for schizophrenia, depression, and agitation in Alzheimer's disease; ABILIFY MAINTENA® for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; and other first-in-class therapies like LATUDA®, CYMBALTA®, and ZYPREXA®.
"I am encouraged by the potential of our lead asset, TN-001, and look forward to wrapping up our preclinical efforts and progressing into clinical trials," Lykins stated.
Commercial Viability and Market Access
A key advantage of Transneural's approach is the potential for improved commercial viability. By developing non-hallucinogenic compounds that can be administered through traditional dosing regimens, the company aims to overcome the practical limitations that have hindered the clinical adoption of psychedelic therapies.
This approach could potentially eliminate the need for burdensome clinical supervision during treatment, thereby improving patient access within existing commercial and payor market access healthcare delivery models.
As Transneural advances its pipeline toward clinical development, the company represents a significant new entrant in the evolving landscape of neuropsychiatric drug development, where novel mechanisms of action are increasingly being explored to address the limitations of current treatment options.
