US-based Cerecin Inc., has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB). This collaboration aims to accelerate research and treatment initiatives for neurological disorders and diseases to enhance overall health and brain function.

Worldwide, there are about two billion cases of neurological and mental health diseases. Unlike other therapeutic areas, 80% of these patients are completely unserved or have been inadequately served by current medicines with which to treat their conditions. This makes brain health one of the medical fields with the highest unmet need. In Singapore alone, more than one in four will suffer from a neurological condition within their lifetime.

It is becoming increasingly clear that neurometabolic dysfunction is a driver of many neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, and that metabolic and brain health are closely intertwined.

Hence, in their collaboration, A*STAR's IMCB will combine preclinical modelling tools with multi-omics approaches to analyse bio samples in neurological diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease) from Cerecin's clinical cohorts. The goal is to understand the fundamental causes of these neurological diseases, especially their metabolic origins, to identify new treatment targets and disease indicators, and to develop innovative treatment approaches.