RMD Sciences, Inc.

"Business Definition & Social Impact" RMD Sciences is a biotech startup developing a novel small molecule therapy for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), specifically targeting patients who continue to experience cognitive decline even after amyloid antibody treatment. By leveraging the gut-brain axis, our orally administered therapy offers continuous, 24/7 neuroprotective effects—addressing the critical unmet need of persistent memory deterioration that current therapies cannot stop. "Technology Overview" Our small molecule is designed to selectively and stably promote the growth of a specific gut bacterium, Parabacteroides distasonis (Pdi), which is already present in the patient’s microbiota. This enrichment leads to the sustained production of beneficial metabolites aligned with the body’s circadian rhythm, maintaining high levels of activity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These metabolites simultaneously activate multiple therapeutic pathways—including suppression of neuroinflammation, promotion of neurogenesis, and reduction of tau pathology—achieving memory improvement that has been difficult to attain with single-pathway drugs. Although we are currently optimizing our lead compound, preclinical studies using a mixture formulation have already demonstrated significant memory improvement not only in AD model mice, but also in healthy mice—a rare and powerful indication of efficacy. Our approach of selective in vivo enrichment of endogenous bacteria offers a major advantage over probiotics and other microbial therapies, which often face challenges with bacterial engraftment. By enhancing bacteria already present in the gut, our therapy offers a stable and sustained mechanism of action. As we further elucidate the mechanism, we aim to evolve this into a platform technology applicable to other bacteria and diseases.