AstronauTx Taps Clinical Veterans to Advance Novel Sleep-Based Alzheimer's Therapy

LONDON, UK – May 12, 2026 – In a move signaling its transition from a preclinical research company to a clinical-stage contender, AstronauTx has significantly bolstered its leadership team. The biotechnology firm, which is pioneering a novel approach to treating Alzheimer's by modulating sleep, announced the appointment of Dr. Michelle Mellion as Chief Medical Officer and Deb Gouveia as Vice President, Clinical Operations and Development Strategy.

These strategic hires are critical as AstronauTx prepares to advance its first-in-class therapies into human trials. The company is built on the compelling scientific thesis that improving the brain's natural overnight cleaning process, driven by deep sleep, could represent a powerful new way to combat neurodegenerative diseases.

A New Clinical Brain Trust

The appointments bring a wealth of experience necessary to navigate the complex journey of drug development. Dr. Michelle Mellion is a seasoned neurologist with over two decades of experience spanning academia and the biotech industry. Her career is marked by leadership roles where she successfully advanced innovative therapies for complex neurological and rare diseases.

Most recently, Dr. Mellion served as CMO at PepGen, where she was instrumental in guiding clinical strategy for oligonucleotide therapeutics targeting rare neuromuscular disorders. Before that, at EveryONE Medicines, she led efforts to develop individualized treatments for ultra-rare neurodegenerative conditions. Her earlier career at industry giants like Biogen and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, as well as at Fulcrum Therapeutics, saw her contribute to programs in multiple sclerosis, pain, and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). This deep expertise in translating novel neuroscience into clinical reality makes her a key asset for AstronauTx.

"Michelle’s appointment marks an important milestone for AstronauTx," said Jane Rhodes, Chief Executive Officer. "Her track record in advancing therapies for neurological and rare diseases aligns strongly with our ambition to develop transformative treatments targeting sleep architecture."

Joining Dr. Mellion is Deb Gouveia, an operational expert with over 25 years of experience building the clinical and regulatory infrastructure for emerging biotechs. Her background includes leadership roles at companies like Triplet Therapeutics and Angion, where she was responsible for establishing the very functions AstronauTx now needs to scale. Ms. Gouveia's expertise will be vital in ensuring the company can execute complex, multi-site clinical trials efficiently and to the highest standards.

"As we build out our clinical capabilities and progress our pipeline, the appointments of Michelle and Deb strengthen the expertise driving our transition into clinical‑stage development," Rhodes added.

Beyond Amyloid: The Science of Sleep and Brain Health

For decades, Alzheimer's research has been dominated by therapies targeting the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles in the brain. While these remain important areas of investigation, AstronauTx is exploring a different, yet fundamentally connected, biological process: sleep architecture.

Mounting scientific evidence reveals a bidirectional relationship between sleep and neurodegeneration. It's now understood that the disruption of deep, slow-wave sleep (SWS) is not merely a symptom of Alzheimer's but a potential driver of the disease itself. During SWS, the brain activates its 'glymphatic system,' a waste-clearance mechanism that flushes out metabolic byproducts, including the toxic amyloid and tau proteins.

In healthy aging and, more severely, in neurodegenerative diseases, the quality and quantity of SWS decline. This decline impairs the efficiency of the glymphatic system, allowing toxins to accumulate, which in turn further disrupts sleep and neuronal function, creating a vicious cycle of decline. AstronauTx’s approach aims to break this cycle.

The company is developing small-molecule drugs designed to enhance SWS and restore the brain's natural housekeeping functions. Their primary focus is on astrocytes, the most abundant cell type in the brain, which play a critical role in supporting neuronal health and regulating the glymphatic system. By targeting specific ion channels on astrocytes, such as Kir4.1 and AQP4, AstronauTx hopes to "reset" their behavior, improving the brain's ability to clear toxins and consolidate memories during sleep.

Dr. Mellion commented on the scientific promise of this approach, stating, "AstronauTx represents a rare opportunity to help define an entirely new therapeutic category at the intersection of sleep biology and neurodegenerative disease. The Company’s innovative approach to leveraging slow-wave sleep modulation as a potential disease-modifying strategy is both scientifically compelling and strategically differentiated."

From Funding to First-in-Human Trials

The company's move toward the clinic is backed by significant financial and strategic support. In October 2023, AstronauTx closed a substantial £48 million ($61 million) Series A financing round. The investment was led by the Novartis Venture Fund and included a syndicate of top-tier global investors: Brandon Capital, Bristol Myers Squibb, EQT Life Sciences, MPM BioImpact, and the company's founding investor, SV Health’s Dementia Discovery Fund.

This level of backing from venture capital firms, including the investment arms of major pharmaceutical players, serves as a powerful validation of AstronauTx's novel science and its potential to disrupt the Alzheimer's treatment landscape. The funds are earmarked to advance the company's lead programs from the laboratory into clinical studies.

Founded in 2019 as a spin-out from University College London (UCL) and the Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, AstronauTx has methodically built its pipeline. Partnerships, such as one with Danish biotech Saniona to identify new ion channel targets, and grants from bodies like Innovate UK, have further strengthened its preclinical portfolio. With a robust scientific foundation, strong financial backing, and now, a seasoned clinical leadership team in place, AstronauTx is poised to take the critical next step in determining whether a better night's sleep could be a key to unlocking a healthier brain.