Disarm® Therapeutics

Disarm® Therapeutics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, is pursuing a promising new class of potential therapeutics called SARM1 inhibitors that target axonal degeneration as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS - Lou Gehrig’s Disease), multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathies – which cause weakness and pain in the feet and hands – and other debilitating neurological disorders.

Axons are long, cable-like, cell extensions that connect nerve cells (neurons) and transmit electrical signals that are critical to neuronal function. For example, a neuron receives sensory input telling it something is hot. The neuron sends motor commands to the muscles through axons to move the hand away from the heat.

Damage or degeneration of these axons may lead to loss of motor or sensory function or severe pain, and appears to play a crucial role in the progression of ALS, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathies and other neurological diseases, including those that present with cognitive decline.

While the association of axonal degeneration with the clinical pathology of these diseases has been known for some time, there has been very little work done to address this pathology over the broad range of neurological diseases and injuries, that is, until now!

The scientific team at Disarm has discovered a unique class of SARM1 inhibitors to combat axonal degeneration and has built a product engine to advance research to develop these proprietary and potentially transformative therapies into new and life-altering medicines for people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.