Aspen Neuroscience

Aspen Neuroscience, established in 2018 and based in San Diego, California, is a private biotechnology company dedicated to creating personalized cell therapies. The company specializes in developing autologous induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to address diseases with high unmet medical needs, starting with Parkinson’s disease. Aspen Neuroscience integrates stem cell biology with artificial intelligence and genomic approaches to produce these therapies. Their lead product, ANPD001, is an investigational autologous neuron replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease and is currently being studied in a First in Human Phase 1/2a clinical trial for patients with moderate to advanced Parkinson’s disease. The manufacturing process involves reprogramming a patient’s skin cells into iPSCs and differentiating them into dopaminergic neuron precursors, aiming to replace lost dopamine neurons without the need for immunosuppressive drugs. ANPD001 has received Fast Track Designation from the FDA and is being studied to evaluate safety, tolerability, and improvements in motor symptoms and quality of life. Aspen Neuroscience has received significant funding, including a $70 million Series A financing in 2020, a $147 million Series B round in early 2022, and an $8 million CLIN2 grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The company announced the first patient dosed in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial of ANPD001 in April 2024. Aspen Neuroscience is also conducting IND-enabling studies for ANPD001 and is researching a second product, ANPD002, a gene-corrected autologous neuron therapy for genetically linked forms of Parkinson’s disease. The company leverages proprietary AI-based genomics tools for comprehensive quality control in their manufacturing process and is conducting a multi-center clinical trial, including Banner – University Medical Center Tucson as a lead dosing site.