The mission of Seaside Therapeutics is to develop new treatments to improve the quality of life for individuals with disorders of brain development such as autism and mental retardation. Recent discoveries by Scientific Founder Dr. Mark Bear have revealed biochemical deficits associated with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) suggesting the possibility of novel therapeutics. FXS is a genetically inherited disorder of brain development and is the most common known genetic cause of autism. Seaside Therapeutics' lead compound, STX107, has demonstrated efficacy in animal models of FXS. Since FXS is a rare medical condition, the development of STX107 will likely qualify for collaborative FDA protocol assistance under the Orphan Drug Act.

The company plans to reduce the high risk for early exploratory research by focusing on specific biological targets that have been preclinically validated by the founders and scientific advisors and for which there exists relevant pharmacological classes of preclinical candidates. Seaside Therapeutics intends to leverage collaborations with foundations, government agencies, academic scientists and pharmaceutical companies to bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and development of new treatments for individuals with disorders of brain development.

Dr. Bear, prior to his appointment at MIT, was the Sidney A. and Dorothea Doctors Fox Professor of Neuroscience at Brown University; during his Brown appointment, he invented various methods of treating disorders with Group I mGluR Antagonists. This technology has been licensed from Brown University to Seaside Therapeutics for development.

Additional information is available at seasidetherapeutics.com.

In the news: Seaside pursues a rare, less costly path for autism drug development

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