Monument Therapeutics: Pioneering a New Path in Schizophrenia Treatment
March 1, 2025, 3:51 pm
Location: United Kingdom, England, Macclesfield
Employees: 1-10
Founded date: 2019
Total raised: $2.38M
In the realm of mental health, schizophrenia stands as a formidable adversary. It affects around 20 million people globally, casting a long shadow over their lives. Among its many symptoms, cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) is particularly debilitating. It hampers memory, attention, and executive function, leaving patients grappling with a diminished quality of life. Despite the urgency, no approved treatments exist for CIAS. Enter Monument Therapeutics, a beacon of hope in this landscape.
Monument Therapeutics, a Manchester-based neuroscience startup, has developed MT1988, a groundbreaking fixed-dose combination drug aimed at treating CIAS. Recently, the company secured £850,000 in funding to propel its schizophrenia program forward. This financial boost is not just a lifeline; it’s a catalyst for innovation.
At the helm of this venture is Dr. Jenny Barnett, a psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist. Her journey began at Cambridge Cognition, where she witnessed the high failure rate of neuroscience drugs—about 95% never make it through clinical trials. This stark reality ignited her passion for change. Barnett realized that the psychiatric field needed a paradigm shift. Instead of relying on broad diagnoses, she envisioned a system that stratifies patients based on measurable brain functions.
Monument Therapeutics emerged from this vision. The company was spun out from Cambridge Cognition in 2021, with a mission to develop drugs alongside digital biomarkers. These biomarkers are essential for identifying which patients would benefit most from specific treatments. In a world where psychiatric diagnoses often overlap, this precision medicine approach could be revolutionary.
The challenge in psychiatric research is profound. Unlike oncology, where genetic markers can guide treatment, psychiatry often relies on symptom-based diagnoses. This can lead to misaligned treatments. Barnett argues for a shift towards identifying brain function abnormalities. By focusing on cognitive and behavioral biomarkers, Monument Therapeutics aims to treat symptoms more effectively.
Digital biomarkers are at the heart of this strategy. Defined by the FDA, they are characteristics collected from digital health technologies that indicate biological processes or responses to interventions. Monument’s digital biomarker measures a cognitive process known as latent inhibition. This process is crucial for filtering relevant information from irrelevant stimuli. In many individuals with schizophrenia, this filter is compromised, leading to heightened sensitivity to distractions.
Monument’s approach is not one-size-fits-all. The company recognizes that schizophrenia is highly heterogeneous. About two-thirds of patients have a weakened attentional filter, while the remaining third do not. By measuring where a patient falls on this cognitive spectrum, Monument can predict whether MT1988 will be beneficial. This tailored approach is a game-changer.
The digital biomarker is assessed through a computer-based test, allowing for easy administration in clinical settings. This is a significant advantage over traditional methods, which often require expensive equipment like EEGs and fMRIs. The goal is to create a solution that is not only scientifically sound but also practical for real-world application.
MT1988 has shown promising pre-clinical results. It combines two well-characterized small molecules that act on nicotinic receptors, enhancing cognitive function while minimizing common side effects. This dual-action approach is designed to complement existing antipsychotic medications, offering a holistic solution for patients.
Currently, Monument is conducting a Phase 1 safety study in healthy volunteers. This trial is crucial, as it assesses the safety of the drug combination, which has never been used together before. Results are expected by the end of next month, and if successful, the company will move to Phase 2 trials with patients suffering from early-stage schizophrenia later this year.
The funding round was led by ACF Investors, with participation from Wren Capital, o2h Ventures, and angel investors. This financial backing underscores the confidence investors have in Monument’s innovative approach. The cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia is a significant unmet medical need, and MT1988 has the potential to make a real impact.
As the landscape of psychiatric treatment evolves, Monument Therapeutics stands at the forefront. The company’s commitment to precision medicine could redefine how we approach mental health. By leveraging digital biomarkers and focusing on cognitive processes, Monument is not just developing a drug; it’s paving the way for a new era in psychiatric care.
In a world where mental health issues are often stigmatized and misunderstood, Monument Therapeutics offers a glimmer of hope. The journey is fraught with challenges, but the potential rewards are immense. With continued support and innovation, the company could change the narrative for millions affected by schizophrenia. The future is bright, and the path forward is clear. Monument Therapeutics is ready to lead the charge.
Monument Therapeutics, a Manchester-based neuroscience startup, has developed MT1988, a groundbreaking fixed-dose combination drug aimed at treating CIAS. Recently, the company secured £850,000 in funding to propel its schizophrenia program forward. This financial boost is not just a lifeline; it’s a catalyst for innovation.
At the helm of this venture is Dr. Jenny Barnett, a psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist. Her journey began at Cambridge Cognition, where she witnessed the high failure rate of neuroscience drugs—about 95% never make it through clinical trials. This stark reality ignited her passion for change. Barnett realized that the psychiatric field needed a paradigm shift. Instead of relying on broad diagnoses, she envisioned a system that stratifies patients based on measurable brain functions.
Monument Therapeutics emerged from this vision. The company was spun out from Cambridge Cognition in 2021, with a mission to develop drugs alongside digital biomarkers. These biomarkers are essential for identifying which patients would benefit most from specific treatments. In a world where psychiatric diagnoses often overlap, this precision medicine approach could be revolutionary.
The challenge in psychiatric research is profound. Unlike oncology, where genetic markers can guide treatment, psychiatry often relies on symptom-based diagnoses. This can lead to misaligned treatments. Barnett argues for a shift towards identifying brain function abnormalities. By focusing on cognitive and behavioral biomarkers, Monument Therapeutics aims to treat symptoms more effectively.
Digital biomarkers are at the heart of this strategy. Defined by the FDA, they are characteristics collected from digital health technologies that indicate biological processes or responses to interventions. Monument’s digital biomarker measures a cognitive process known as latent inhibition. This process is crucial for filtering relevant information from irrelevant stimuli. In many individuals with schizophrenia, this filter is compromised, leading to heightened sensitivity to distractions.
Monument’s approach is not one-size-fits-all. The company recognizes that schizophrenia is highly heterogeneous. About two-thirds of patients have a weakened attentional filter, while the remaining third do not. By measuring where a patient falls on this cognitive spectrum, Monument can predict whether MT1988 will be beneficial. This tailored approach is a game-changer.
The digital biomarker is assessed through a computer-based test, allowing for easy administration in clinical settings. This is a significant advantage over traditional methods, which often require expensive equipment like EEGs and fMRIs. The goal is to create a solution that is not only scientifically sound but also practical for real-world application.
MT1988 has shown promising pre-clinical results. It combines two well-characterized small molecules that act on nicotinic receptors, enhancing cognitive function while minimizing common side effects. This dual-action approach is designed to complement existing antipsychotic medications, offering a holistic solution for patients.
Currently, Monument is conducting a Phase 1 safety study in healthy volunteers. This trial is crucial, as it assesses the safety of the drug combination, which has never been used together before. Results are expected by the end of next month, and if successful, the company will move to Phase 2 trials with patients suffering from early-stage schizophrenia later this year.
The funding round was led by ACF Investors, with participation from Wren Capital, o2h Ventures, and angel investors. This financial backing underscores the confidence investors have in Monument’s innovative approach. The cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia is a significant unmet medical need, and MT1988 has the potential to make a real impact.
As the landscape of psychiatric treatment evolves, Monument Therapeutics stands at the forefront. The company’s commitment to precision medicine could redefine how we approach mental health. By leveraging digital biomarkers and focusing on cognitive processes, Monument is not just developing a drug; it’s paving the way for a new era in psychiatric care.
In a world where mental health issues are often stigmatized and misunderstood, Monument Therapeutics offers a glimmer of hope. The journey is fraught with challenges, but the potential rewards are immense. With continued support and innovation, the company could change the narrative for millions affected by schizophrenia. The future is bright, and the path forward is clear. Monument Therapeutics is ready to lead the charge.