New Parkinson's Hope: Dutch Biotech Targets Cell's Recycling System

NIJMEGEN, The Netherlands – January 26, 2026 – In a significant move to combat Parkinson's disease, Dutch biotechnology startup Mair Therapeutics has announced a scientific collaboration with the prestigious Radboud University. The partnership aims to accelerate the development of a novel class of drugs targeting a key genetic vulnerability in the disease, potentially shifting the treatment paradigm from managing symptoms to addressing a root cause of the neurodegenerative disorder.

The collaboration unites Mair's innovative drug discovery platform with the deep neurological expertise of Radboud's Donders Centre for Neuroscience. Together, they will investigate small-molecule compounds designed to activate a crucial cellular component known as TMEM175, an ion channel whose dysfunction is increasingly linked to the onset and progression of Parkinson's.

Targeting the Cell's Recycling Center

At the heart of this new therapeutic approach is the lysosome, the cell's essential recycling and waste disposal system. In a healthy brain, lysosomes break down and clear out cellular debris, including misfolded proteins. In Parkinson's disease, this process falters, leading to the toxic accumulation of a protein called alpha-synuclein, which clumps together to form Lewy bodies—a hallmark of the disease that damages and kills neurons.

Recent genetic research has identified TMEM175 as a critical gatekeeper for lysosomal health. This ion channel, located on the lysosome's membrane, helps maintain the precise acidic environment (pH) required for its digestive enzymes to function effectively. Genetic variants that impair TMEM175 function have been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's, while protective variants appear to reduce susceptibility. Scientific studies have shown that TMEM175 deficiency can cause lysosomes to become over-acidified, crippling their ability to degrade proteins and facilitating the dangerous buildup of alpha-synuclein.

Mair Therapeutics' strategy is to reverse this defect. The company is developing small-molecule agonists—compounds designed to enhance the activity of the TMEM175 channel. The goal is to restore normal lysosomal function, re-enabling the cell's natural ability to clear out toxic protein aggregates. If successful, this approach could represent a true disease-modifying therapy, slowing or even halting the neurodegenerative process rather than merely alleviating its symptoms.

A Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Discovery

The new collaboration is structured to rapidly validate Mair's therapeutic candidates. Under the agreement, Mair will provide a portfolio of its proprietary TMEM175-targeting compounds to the laboratory of Dr. Marijn Kuijpers at Radboud University's Donders Centre for Neuroscience. Dr. Kuijpers' lab specializes in neuronal biology, with a particular focus on the dynamics of cellular organelles like the lysosome in neurodegenerative disease models.

This academic expertise is crucial for testing the real-world potential of Mair's molecules. The compounds will be evaluated in sophisticated human neuron models derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from both Parkinson's disease patients and healthy donors. This state-of-the-art technique allows researchers to study the drug's effects on the specific cell types affected by the disease in a highly relevant biological context.

The evaluation will focus on key functional outcomes, including the compounds' ability to restore proper lysosomal pH regulation and enhance the cells' overall capacity to degrade waste materials—two critical functions that are compromised in Parkinson's.

"Parkinson's disease remains one of the most pressing medical challenges of our time, and targeting lysosomal dysfunction offers a promising path forward," said Dr. Vasily Kazey, CEO of Mair Therapeutics. "We are excited to collaborate with Radboud University, whose deep expertise in neuronal biology and Parkinson's research will be instrumental in validating our therapeutic approach."

Nijmegen Emerges as a Neuroscience Powerhouse

This partnership is not an isolated event but rather a testament to the burgeoning biotechnology ecosystem in the East Netherlands, often dubbed "Health Valley." Mair Therapeutics, which launched in 2025 with pre-seed funding, is strategically headquartered in Nijmegen, a city that has become a leading international hub for Parkinson's research.

The company's establishment and growth are supported by a combination of international and regional investment, including from San Diego-based Torrey Pines Investment and Oost NL, the regional development agency dedicated to fostering innovation in the area. This support underscores a concerted effort to build a self-sustaining cluster of scientific and commercial excellence.

Nijmegen is home to Radboud University and its affiliated medical center, Radboudumc, which hosts a world-renowned Parkinson's expertise center led by Prof. Dr. Bas Bloem. The presence of such concentrated academic and clinical expertise creates a fertile ground for startups like Mair to translate cutting-edge science into potential therapies. The collaboration leverages this geographical and intellectual proximity, creating a powerful synergy between an agile biotech innovator and an established academic powerhouse.

The Competitive Race for a Breakthrough

Mair Therapeutics is entering a competitive but highly promising field. The focus on lysosomal function, and TMEM175 in particular, is gaining significant traction in the broader race to find a cure for neurodegenerative diseases. At least two other companies, Caraway Therapeutics (in a major partnership with AbbVie) and Lysoway Therapeutics, are also known to be developing TMEM175 modulators. The interest from multiple players and major pharmaceutical companies validates the target's therapeutic potential and highlights the urgency of the research.

While the path from laboratory discovery to a clinically approved drug is long and fraught with challenges, this collaboration represents a critical step forward. By combining Mair's specialized drug discovery engine with the rigorous validation capabilities of Dr. Kuijpers' lab, the partnership aims to de-risk the program at an early stage and accelerate the journey toward a potential new treatment for the millions of people worldwide living with Parkinson's disease.