Treating schizophrenia differently: Neurosterix’s approach

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Neurosterix is developing a new generation of therapies targeting the brain mechanisms involved in neuropsychiatric disorders. Its most advanced program, currently in clinical development, explores an innovative approach to the treatment of schizophrenia. We spoke with Dominik Schelshorn, Head of Biology at Neurosterix.

1. What sets Neurosterix’s scientific approach apart from current treatments in neuropsychiatry? 

Neuropsychiatric disorders remain among the most urgent and underserved areas of medicine. Current treatments often provide only partial relief, blunting symptoms without restoring healthy brain function. Many patients continue to endure delayed and limited treatment benefits, along with significant side effects, highlighting the critical need for breakthroughs that can truly change the course of disease. 

Neurosterix is charting a new path. We are developing next-generation medicines, allosteric modulators, that fine-tune brain signaling with precision.  

2. NTX-253 has recently entered Phase 1 — what is this study aiming to demonstrate?  

NTX-253 is a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the M4 muscarinic receptor, a validated target for treating schizophrenia and related disorders. Fine-tuning muscarinic signaling with an M4 PAM has the potential to reduce psychosis symptoms while avoiding the movement disorders and metabolic complications associated with traditional dopamine antagonists. The aim of our Phase 1 study is to evaluate safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of NTX-253 in both healthy adults and adults with stable schizophrenia. 

3. Why are allosteric modulators such a promising approach for brain disorders? 

Our proprietary allosteric modulators act like dimmer switches, restoring balance in neural circuits with greater selectivity and safety than conventional drugs. They are potent, selective, and orally administrable.  

4. How does being based at Campus Biotech support Neurosterix’s development? 

Campus Biotech brings together a rich and diverse network of scientific excellence relevant to our work, including engineering, animal studies, and clinical research. We collaborate with the resident groups and benefit directly from the facility platform that are part of the ecosystem. Beyond that, the stimulation environment fuels the flow of ideas, gives us visibility and keeps us up to date with latest innovations in Neuroscience.    

5. You’ll soon be moving into the new B4 building — what difference will that make for your teams?  

Most of us are very attached to the exceptional concept of the B3 building. But moving to the brand-new B4 building, allowed us to tailor offices and labs to our needs. Staying on the same floor level, the transition was very smooth, allowing for a seamless transition without stopping of our activities. As pioneering first tenants of the B4, we encounter the inevitable small technical issues of a new place, but those are sorted out rapidly thanks to the great support of the building administration. 

6. Looking ahead, what’s Neurosterix’s ambition over the next few years? 

Neurosterix has a bold ambition: to give schizophrenia patients a treatment that actually addresses their full illness. Existing medications, most discovered by accident in the 1950s, reduce psychotic episodes but leave patients battling cognitive impairment, social withdrawal and debilitating side effects that drive many to stop treatment altogether. Neurosterix’s lead compound, NTX-253, takes a fundamentally different approach, precisely targeting the M4 muscarinic receptor in the brain to restore balance, with minimal side effects. The program is in clinical development, and we aim to demonstrate proof of concept in schizophrenia within the next two years. Beyond NTX-253, we have identified a first-in-class compound with broad potential to treat conditions such as stress-related disorders, depression or agitation – all fields with large unmet medical need. We hope to take that program into phase 1 in 2027. And more locally, we plan to exploit fully our drug discovery engine, largely run in our Geneva labs, to identify additional clinical candidates that we will progress into the clinic. Small in size but grounded in strong science, Neurosterix is a quiet reminder that Geneva punches well above its weight in cutting-edge medical research.