Our mission is to drive transformative advancements in neuropsychiatric therapy by leveraging the unique properties of neuroactive steroids.
It is all about steroids, but not the known ones…
Instead, we study neuroactive steroids, which are produced in the brain where they can rapidly alter neuron excitability.
Neuroactive steroids have the capacity to interact with a wide and diverse range of receptors located in the synapses of neurons. Through these interactions, they can either inhibit or enhance neuronal signaling in various ways. By thoroughly disentangling and understanding the different mechanisms of action involved, we can effectively leverage this endogenous biological machinery to develop new strategies for overcoming complex neuropsychiatric disorders.
Leveraging neurosteroid signaling pathways, presents a promising frontier in the development of innovative and effective therapeutics for neuropsychiatric disorders. Neurosteroids modulate key receptors and ion channels in the brain, influencing neuroplasticity, mood regulation, and cognitive function. By targeting these pathways, novel drugs can be designed to restore neurochemical balance, offering potential advantages over traditional treatments in terms of efficacy and side effect profiles. This approach enables precision medicine strategies aimed at conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and PTSD, ultimately improving patient outcomes through tailored modulation of neurosteroid activity.
Company Milestones
SynaptONE was founded by Daniel Michalow, Dr. Marco Bortolato, and Dr. Elizabeth Schwarzbach.
2024 |
Dr. Bortolato moved his lab to University of Florida (UF)
2025 |
SynaptONE entered into a Research Collaboration Agreement and Option Agreement with UF to provide an option to license UF rights in joint composition of matter intellectual property
2026 |
Meet the Team
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Marco Bortolato, M.D., Ph.D.
CO-FOUNDER, SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR
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Daniel Michalow
CO-FOUNDER, CEO
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Liz Schwarzbach, Ph.D.
CO-FOUNDER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR