Yale Life Science Pitchfest + BioCT Holiday Party 2025
12/04/2025
Development of a novel, phosphospecific alpha-synuclein antibody as a therapeutic for MSA
We developed an alpha-synuclein antibody that binds to phosphorylation site Threonine 81, which is specifically enriched in Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). This phosphorylation likely plays a key role in alpha-synuclein aggregation, as phosphorylation of Threonine 81 increases stability and fibrillization of the protein in vitro. Therefore, our antibody is poised to be the first MSA-specific, disease-modifying treatment by blocking the phosphosite and preventing aggregation. Phase 1 ($60K, 6 months): Generate recombinant, monoclonal version of the antibody. Phase 2 ($100K, 6 months): test antibody's ability to block phosphorylation/fibrillization. Phase 3 ($120K, 1 year): Test efficacy in mouse models and patient-derived neurons.