New neuroscience company Cerevance launched to tackle brain diseases

Cerevance, a neuroscience company focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutics for neurological and psychiatric disorders, has been launched by Japan’s largest drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) and Lightstone Ventures.

The company will use a new technology, created in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute laboratory of Nathaniel Heintz, at the Rockefeller University.

Takeda will jumpstart the new company by providing a 25-person neuroscience research team from its Cambridge, UK, site, including industry veteran Mark Carlton, fully equipped laboratory space, and licenses to a portfolio of preclinical and clinical stage drug programs. Cerevance is funded with $36 million that includes a $21.5 million Series A financing investment from Takeda and Lightstone Ventures, with each joining Cerevance’s board of directors.