Summary
Karuna Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, creates and delivers transformative medicines for people living with psychiatric and neurological conditions. Its lead product candidate is KarXT, an oral modulator of muscarinic receptors that is in Phase III clinical trial for the treatment of acute psychosis in patients with schizophrenia; and for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, such as negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia and psychosis, as well as for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis. The company also focuses on developing other muscarinic-targeted drug candidates. Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. has a license agreement with Eli Lilly and Company, and Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd; patent license agreement with PureTech Health LLC; and drug discovery partnership with Charles River Laboratories, as well as drug discovery collaboration with PsychoGenics, Inc. The company was formerly known as Karuna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and changed its name to Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. in March 2019. Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
History
Karuna Therapeutics was founded in July 2015 to develop treatments based on its unique understanding of brain chemistry and biology. The company has raised over $60 million in venture capital to date, and has built a robust product pipeline, highlighted by its lead compound, KarXT, a novel, orally-active modulator of multiple muscarinic receptors for the treatment of schizophrenia and other CNS disorders.
Mission
Karuna Therapeutics is committed to improving the lives of patients with disabling neuropsychiatric conditions by developing novel, mechanism-based therapies.
Vision
At Karuna, we strive to bring safe and effective treatments to patients with disabling neuropsychiatric conditions by leveraging our deep understanding of the disease and an extensive network of clinical and academic partners.
Key Team
Dr. Stephen K. Brannan (Chief Medical Officer)
Ms. Charmaine Lykins (Chief Commercial Officer)
Dr. Alan Breier (Chair of Scientific Advisory Board & Chief Clinical Advisor)
Dr. Ronald N. Marcus M.D. (Sr. VP of Medical)
Recognition and Awards
Karuna Therapeutics has been awarded numerous grants and awards for its research and development, including the “Innovation in Neuroscience Award” from Stanford Neurosciences Institute and the “Innovation of the Year Award” from San Diego Science Alliance. In addition, the company has received international recognition finishing as a top-three finalist in the 2019 Dr. Antonio Afini Innovation Prize of the World Federation of Neurology.
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