# NeuShen Therapeutics

> NeuShen Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech developing novel small-molecule and gene-therapy treatments for central nervous system disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and epilepsy. Founded in 2021 by Joan Huaqiong Shen, MD, PhD, and headquartered in Shanghai with an R&D center in the Boston area, the company runs a pipeline led by NS-136, a selective M4 receptor positive allosteric modulator for schizophrenia, and NS-041, a highly selective KCNQ2/3 activator for epilepsy and depression.

- **Founded:** 2021
- **Headquarters:** Shanghai, China (R&D center in Lexington/Boston, MA, USA)
- **Founders:** Joan Huaqiong Shen (Founder & CEO), Mike Poole (Co-founder), Chao Zhang (Co-founder & COO)
- **Team size:** Approx. 12-50 employees (reported)
- **Products:** NS-136 (mAChR4 PAM), NS-041 (KCNQ2/3 activator), NS-079, NS-031, NS-050
- **Notable:** Advanced two proprietary CNS candidates (NS-136 and NS-041) into clinical trials within a few years of founding., Initiated the first-in-human Phase I trial of NS-136, a selective M4 PAM, with first healthy-volunteer dosing in Australia (2024)., Secured NMPA-CDE IND approval in China for KCNQ2/3 activator NS-041 (2024).

## Products & services

- **NS-136 (mAChR4 PAM)** — A novel selective M4 receptor positive allosteric modulator for schizophrenia and psychosis/agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease; first-in-human dosing initiated in Australia, now Phase IIa.
- **NS-041 (KCNQ2/3 activator)** — A proprietary highly selective KCNQ2/3 potassium-channel activator for focal onset seizures, major depressive disorder and pain; China (NMPA-CDE) IND approved, in Phase II.
- **NS-079** — A neuroplasticity-targeting candidate in IND-enabling studies.
- **NS-031** — Early-development program for treatment-resistant depression.
- **NS-050** — Discovery/early-stage program targeting treatment-resistant depression, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

## Achievements

- Advanced two proprietary CNS candidates (NS-136 and NS-041) into clinical trials within a few years of founding.
- Initiated the first-in-human Phase I trial of NS-136, a selective M4 PAM, with first healthy-volunteer dosing in Australia (2024).
- Secured NMPA-CDE IND approval in China for KCNQ2/3 activator NS-041 (2024).
- Opened a dedicated R&D center in the Boston area (2023).
- Completed a Series A+ financing led by Lilly Asia Ventures (January 2026).

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Completed Series A+ round financing led by Lilly Asia Ventures with Pivotal bioVenture Partners and existing investors.
- **2025** — Attended the Global Biopharma Leadership Forum 2025.
- **2024** — Initiated first-in-human Phase I trial of NS-136 (M4 PAM) for schizophrenia; NS-041 (KCNQ2/3 activator) received NMPA-CDE IND approval.
- **2023** — Celebrated the opening of its R&D center in the Boston area.

## Links

- Website: https://neushen.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/neushen-therapeutics

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/neushen-therapeutics
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-18