8 GHP Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2026 Based in Paris, SYNAPTYS neuroscience has spent more than ten years developing a new drug candidate capable of transforming the lives of patients with Alzheimer’s. The purpose of the drug is simply to provide patients and their loved ones with a simple, affordable solution to enhance quality of life and help those with the disease to live a longer, more fulfilling life. With there having been no adequate treatment to Alzheimer’s provided to date, SYNAPTYS aims to be the first, all thanks to its advanced combination therapy. Inspired by advances in oncology, the company has created SYS0108, a conjugated-action drug designed to protect the functions of the brain by reaching the centre of its physiological mechanisms. Comprising memantine and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), the drug offers precise targeting of the cerebral receptors involved in the NMDA and vitamin D receptors, which have been proven to play significant roles in neurogenerative diseases. Everything from the molecules screening to the dosage has been thoroughly researched by the company in a process that dates all the way back to 2010, when Sébastien Lasnier first discovered the synergy between vitamin D3 and memantine. Devoting more than ten years to exploring, validating, and then patenting this approach, SYNAPTYS’ first decade was very much about this idea taking shape. Then, over the next four years, in silico studies and pre-clinical in vitro studies would both be performed for the first time. Whilst SYS-0108 is still in the in vivo preclinical results stage, with the first human study planned for 2028, previous in vitro preclinical studies completed boasted promising results, with approximately 42% of injured neurones preserved when the four special conditions that the drug is patented for are met. This represents a significant improvement to the 8% offered by memantine and the 2% offered through vitamin D3 alone, underpinning the powerful synergy that exists between these two potentially transformative molecules. B Unlike oncology, where big steps have been made in treatments such as breast cancer, the field of neurology has been late to introduce combination therapies to treat patients. This is especially true of Alzheimer’s, which is irrefutably one of the most terrible things a person can face. With there being one new case of Alzheimer’s detected somewhere in the world every three seconds, it is clear more needs to be done to help in the fight against its debilitating symptoms. Aiding in this is SYNAPTYS neuroscience, which we discovered more about from its CEO, Sébastien Lasnier. However, this is just the beginning, as Sébastien explained: “This year we are starting a new in vivo preclinical study. We shall test the efficacy of SYS-0108 on three different types of memory and biomarkers in Alzheimer’s mice: Aß accumulation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration.” The study, which focuses on compartmental cognition and biomarkers, is set to be completed alongside INSERM, which is the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research and one of the country’s leading research institutions. This is just the first stage in what is a comprehensive five-year plan, and set to include the company moving on to a round of Series A funding between 2028 and 2031. Having spent more than 10 years on this already, Sébastien is confident his programme of combination therapy will meet the target, especially given that, in independent studies from earlier this year, the molecules comprising the drug demonstrated a reduction in mortality and a slowing down of the ageing process. Just imagine then their impact on Alzheimer’s. Despite having the science on its side, SYNAPTYS is experiencing the same struggle that befalls almost all biotech start-ups – finding enough money for their development. So far, the company has been able to find a way to make this funding possible, but as it progresses further along its journey, things will only become more expensive. For example, whilst it needs around €2.6 million for the rest of preclinical program (Tox, PK/PD, ADME), and CMC and regulatory affairs. It will also need around €35 million for its Series A funding, with around 80% of this going towards R&D costs. Although there are many challenges ahead, the combination of Sébastien’s tenacity and the teams of experts he has assembled over the last 12 months (including across its scientific and strategic boards), demonstrates alignment under this shared goal of fighting Alzheimer’s. We wish Sébastien and the rest of the team at SYNAPTYS neuroscience all the best as they continue the development of the SYS-0108 drug, championing the company’s dedication by naming it the Alzheimer’s Drug Development Company of the Year 2026. Contact: Sébastien Lasnier Company: SYNAPTYS neuroscience Web Address: https://synaptys.com/ Alzheimer’s Drug Development Company of the Year 2026 SYNAPTYS neuroscience: A New Hope Against Alzheimer’s
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