# Vertero Therapeutics, Inc.

> Vertero Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company in Woburn, Massachusetts, developing oral small-molecule drugs for neurodegenerative diseases by targeting causative drivers in the body's periphery - primarily the gut - rather than only the brain. Formerly Axial Therapeutics, the company rebranded as Vertero in October 2025. Its lead candidate, VT-5006, is a gut-selective small molecule for Parkinson's disease that targets CsgA, a bacterial protein linked to protein aggregation and neuroinflammation, and is entering Phase 1 trials.

- **Founded:** 2016
- **Headquarters:** Woburn, Massachusetts, United States
- **Founders:** Sarkis K. Mazmanian (Scientific Co-Founder and Board Member)
- **Team size:** Approximately 12-20 employees
- **Products:** VT-5006, Bile acid dysregulation program
- **Notable:** Pioneered a peripheral, gut-first approach to neurodegenerative disease grounded in Caltech microbiome science, Advanced lead candidate VT-5006 to Phase 1 clinical trials for Parkinson's disease (Q4 2025), Raised roughly $77M+ across multiple equity rounds since founding

## Products & services

- **VT-5006** — First-in-class, gut-selective oral small molecule for Parkinson's disease. It targets CsgA, a microbial protein expressed when gut bacteria bind the intestinal wall, present in over 50% of PD patients and linked to protein aggregation and neuroinflammation. Designed to delay onset and slow progression. Entering Phase 1 clinical trials in Q4 2025.
- **Bile acid dysregulation program** — Early-stage asset targeting bile acid dysregulation for undisclosed neurodegenerative indications.

## Achievements

- Pioneered a peripheral, gut-first approach to neurodegenerative disease grounded in Caltech microbiome science
- Advanced lead candidate VT-5006 to Phase 1 clinical trials for Parkinson's disease (Q4 2025)
- Raised roughly $77M+ across multiple equity rounds since founding
- Received multiple research grants from The Michael J. Fox Foundation
- Assembled a Scientific Advisory Board of globally recognized Parkinson's and neuroscience leaders (December 2025)
- Successfully rebranded from Axial Therapeutics to Vertero Therapeutics in October 2025

## Latest updates

- **2025-12** — Appointed Jeffrey Kasten as Chief Business Officer.
- **2025-12** — Established a Scientific Advisory Board of five leading neuroscience and Parkinson's experts, chaired by Kalpana Merchant, PhD.
- **2025-10** — Rebranded from Axial Therapeutics to Vertero Therapeutics and secured $20M in Series D financing; VT-5006 slated to enter Phase 1 trials in Q4 2025.

## Links

- Website: https://vertero.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vertero-tx/
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/verterotx.bsky.social

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/vertero-therapeutics-inc
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-17