Schizophrenia, which affects around 20 million people globally, often leads to cognitive impairment that disrupts memory, attention, and executive function. Despite its impact on daily life, there are no approved treatments specifically addressing these cognitive deficits. Monument Therapeutics, a neuroscience startup, has announced securing £850,000 in funding to further develop MT1988, a combination drug designed to treat Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia (CIAS). This funding marks a significant step for the company as it advances its research into precision-based psychiatric treatments.
Previous research in neuroscience has struggled with the challenge of developing effective psychiatric treatments. Many drug candidates fail in clinical trials, largely due to the broad and varied nature of psychiatric diagnoses. Unlike oncology, where genetic markers guide treatment decisions, psychiatric conditions are diagnosed primarily based on symptoms. This limitation has made it difficult to develop targeted treatments. Monument Therapeutics aims to overcome this challenge by focusing on measurable brain function abnormalities instead of relying solely on symptom-based classifications.
How Does MT1988 Address Cognitive Impairment?
MT1988 is a fixed-dose combination drug developed by Monument Therapeutics to enhance cognitive function in schizophrenia patients. The drug targets a cognitive filtering process known as latent inhibition, which is often impaired in individuals with schizophrenia. Research suggests that approximately two-thirds of schizophrenia patients have a weakened ability to filter irrelevant information, a factor contributing to cognitive dysfunction. By addressing this specific impairment, MT1988 aims to improve cognitive performance in a targeted subset of patients.
Can Digital Biomarkers Improve Psychiatric Drug Development?
Monument Therapeutics incorporates digital biomarkers to identify patients most likely to benefit from MT1988. The company uses a computer-based test to measure attentional filtering ability, ensuring that the drug is administered only to individuals who have the specific cognitive deficit it targets. This approach reduces the risk of ineffective treatment and potential adverse effects in patients who may not need it.
Dr. Jenny Barnett, CEO of Monument Therapeutics, explained the significance of this precision-based method:
“Schizophrenia is highly heterogeneous. About two-thirds of people with schizophrenia have a weakened attentional filter, while the remaining third do not. If we were to give our drug indiscriminately, it could improve symptoms for some but worsen them for others.”
The company believes that using digital biomarkers can lead to more effective treatments by ensuring that only the right patients receive the therapy.
MT1988 consists of two well-characterized small molecules that act on nicotinic receptors, aiming to enhance cognitive function while minimizing side effects commonly associated with similar treatments. The drug is currently undergoing a Phase 1 safety trial in healthy volunteers, with results expected soon. If successful, Monument Therapeutics intends to proceed with Phase 2 trials in early-stage schizophrenia patients later this year.
The funding round, led by ACF Investors with participation from Wren Capital and o2h Ventures, will support the continued development of MT1988. Investors have expressed confidence in the drug’s potential to address a critical unmet need in psychiatric treatment.
“CIAS is an area of huge unmet need, and we believe that MT1988 has the potential to make a real impact on a range of conditions,” said Tim Mills, Managing Partner at ACF Investors.
Developing effective treatments for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia remains a challenge, but Monument Therapeutics’ strategy of combining digital biomarkers with targeted drug treatment represents a shift toward precision psychiatry. Traditional psychiatric drug development faces difficulties due to the heterogeneity of mental disorders, often resulting in high failure rates during clinical trials. By focusing on objective cognitive markers, Monument aims to improve treatment effectiveness and reduce trial inefficiencies.
As psychiatric research moves toward more personalized approaches, integrating digital biomarkers may play a crucial role in improving treatment outcomes. If MT1988 progresses successfully through clinical trials, it could serve as a model for future precision-based treatments in mental health. The results of the ongoing Phase 1 trial will be a key milestone in determining the viability of this approach.
