$500,000 from Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures went to Lighthouse Pharmaceuticals as part of a $12 million round led by Double Point Ventures to advance an Alzheimer’s drug program.
The Novato startup is testing whether targeting P. gingivalis—a bacterium linked to gum disease—can slow or stabilize cognitive decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.
A $49.2 million National Institute on Aging grant is already funding a nationwide clinical trial of 300 patients across 40 sites, with recruitment now under way.
Lighthouse says earlier trial data suggest up to 40% of people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s may carry the bacterium, identified through a saliva test.
For Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures, founded in 2021, Lighthouse is its first medical biotech investment and one of 20 North Bay startups in its portfolio.
Could a daily pill targeting gum disease bacteria prove safer and more effective for Alzheimer's than current infusion therapies?
If a common oral bacteria can trigger Alzheimer's, could better dental care be a key to preventing dementia?
Lighthouse Pharmaceuticals Raises $12M, Accelerates Phase 2 SPRING Trial of LHP588 for P. gingivalis-Linked Alzheimer’s Disease
Overview
Lighthouse Pharmaceuticals, based at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, recently secured $12 million in funding from Marin Sonoma Impact Ventures, marking the investor’s first step into medical biotech. This investment reflects growing confidence in Lighthouse’s unique approach to Alzheimer’s disease, which focuses on the link between the condition and bacteria found in gum disease. The company also received a $49.2 million grant from the National Institute on Aging to advance its Phase 2 study of LHP588, a drug targeting P. gingivalis-positive Alzheimer’s. These milestones highlight strong support for Lighthouse’s innovative research and clinical progress.