Preserving independence by delaying the progression of dementia.
Ultimate Medicine is developing a safe, oral therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.
- 01 - ABOUT
A preclinical biotech rethinking where dementia begins.
Ultimate Medicine is a preclinical biotech pioneering a new class of small molecules that target an elevated, novel toxic metabolite — one that disrupts critical neuronal functions and accelerates disease progression.
Our lead program is an oral small-molecule inhibitor designed to block synthesis of that metabolite, reducing systemic and brain exposure through the body’s natural clearance mechanisms.
Image: Myelinated nerve fibres · Dr David Furness · Wellcome Collection · CC BY-NC 4.0 · Recolored by Ultimate Medicine
- 02 - THE SCIENCE
UM01 is Ultimate Medicine’s lead program targeting a novel gut-brain pathway implicated in Alzheimer’s disease.
UM01 is based on the emerging concept of Microbiome-Derived Effectors (MiDEs)—small molecules produced by gut bacteria that influence systemic biological processes, including brain function. These molecules can act far beyond the gut, affecting metabolism, cellular communication, and neuronal health.
The specific MiDE targeted by UM01 is produced by commensal gut bacteria through a dedicated enzymatic pathway. Once absorbed into circulation, it crosses the blood-brain barrier and disrupts mitochondrial function and neuronal network activity. By targeting the production of this metabolite at its source, UM01 seeks to reduce its impact on the brain and address a novel biological driver of cognitive decline.
— 03 - TEAM
Who is UM?
The team translating breakthrough gut-brain science into therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
— 03 - TEAM
Who is UM?
The team translating breakthrough gut-brain science into therapies for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
— 04 - ADVISORY
Advisory Board
Science Advisory Board
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SAB CHAIR
Veteran biopharma executive and serial board member with 35+ years advancing blockbuster therapeutics and shaping drug discovery strategy across pharma, biotech, and venture-backed companies. -
Global Alzheimer’s research leader and ADNI founder whose biomarker and imaging frameworks underpin the majority of modern AD clinical trials and regulatory decisions.
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SCIENCE ADVISOR
Former Global Head of Neuroscience Discovery at Roche and seasoned board-level advisor with decades of experience advancing Alzheimer’s therapeutics from discovery through late-stage clinical development.
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CNS drug development veteran with 25+ years advancing neuroscience programs from discovery through Phase 2, including multiple clinical proofs-of-concept at Novartis.
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Distinguished medicinal chemist and Head of Drug Discovery at ZHAW with 25+ years of Big Pharma and academic experience, securing €15M+ in competitive funding across antiviral, antimicrobial, and oncology programs.
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Co-discoverer of novel metabolic pathways underlying neurodegeneration, forming the scientific basis for Ultimate Medicine’s small-molecule strategy to block toxic metabolite synthesis and restore neuronal function.
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BOARD ADVISOR
Visionary physician-leader and former CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation who enabled 12 FDA-approved therapies and pioneered the venture-philanthropy model for drug development. -
BOARD ADVISOR
Seasoned biotech entrepreneur with 30+ years leading rare-disease companies from inception to market, including award-winning device development and successful venture-philanthropy partnerships. -
Healthcare Entrepreneur building and scaling life science companies in US and EU, including securing 200+M funding.
