Aberrant neuroinflammation and microglial dysfunction have been increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases through genetic, mechanistic, and clinical observations. This growing body of evidence underscores the critical role of neuroimmune interactions in the pathogenesis of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and ALS. As a result, the market opportunity for neuroimmune-mediated therapies is substantial, with a conservative base-case estimate exceeding $17 billion.
Neurology remains a significant area of investment within the biotech sector, accounting for a quarter of the total disclosed deal value. This surge in investment is likely driven by advancements in disease understanding and delivery methods. Currently, there are at least 50 companies, both public and private, with assets in development targeting neuroinflammation. These assets range from preclinical to Phase III stages and focus on targets such as TREM2, progranulin, NLRP3, and Tyk2 inhibition.
TREM2 has garnered considerable attention as a therapeutic target. Multiple loss-of-function and partial loss-of-function mutations in TREM2 have been identified, which increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Conversely, protective mutations that enhance microglial activation suggest that increasing microglial activity could be a viable disease-modifying strategy. Although translation to human conditions remains limited, preclinical models support the role of TREM2-mediated microglial activation in amyloid-β clearance, though its direct impact on tau is less clear.
This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of neuroimmune-mediated therapies, highlighting the potential market opportunities, key players, and emerging trends in the field.
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