Rewind Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing first-in-class therapies for demyelination-associated disorders, today announced the appointment of four internationally renowned neurology experts to its Scientific Advisory Board. Professors Shiv Saidha, Cristina Granziera, David Leppert, and Roberto Furlan bring expertise spanning neuroimaging, biomarkers, neuroimmunology, and translational drug development, supporting Rewind’s lead program targeting GPR17 to promote remyelination.

Rewind’s lead small-molecule candidate modulates GPR17, a receptor involved in oligodendrocyte maturation and myelin repair in the central nervous system. By enhancing the brain’s natural capacity to regenerate myelin, the therapy aims to address a key unmet need in multiple sclerosis (MS) and related neurodegenerative conditions marked by myelin loss. The approach represents a first-in-class strategy to promote remyelination, potentially transforming the treatment landscape.

Dr Anja Harmeier, CEO of Rewind Therapeutics, highlighted the significance of the new appointments, saying: “Our mission is to develop therapies that harness the central nervous system’s natural capacity for self-repair. The addition of Professors Saidha, Granziera, Leppert, and Furlan brings unparalleled clinical and translational expertise that will be invaluable as we advance our GPR17 remyelination program. Their insights will support translational strategy, biomarker development, and clinical trial design in a highly competitive field.”

Professor Shiv Saidha, a pioneer in optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers and a Professor of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, emphasised the promise of the therapy. He said, “Restoring myelin represents one of the most promising frontiers in multiple sclerosis treatment. Rewind’s targeted GPR17 approach is scientifically robust and translationally ready, and I am honoured to contribute to advancing this potential therapy toward patients in need.”

Joining Professor Saidha, Professor Cristina Granziera of the University of Basel brings expertise in advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multimodal neuroimaging, crucial for understanding mechanisms of neurodegeneration and repair. Professor David Leppert complements the team with over two decades of clinical drug development experience, combining academic neurology with pharmaceutical leadership roles. His work focuses on validating molecular and imaging markers that support personalised treatment in MS.

Professor Roberto Furlan, a world leader in neuroimmunology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, adds extensive knowledge of immune mechanisms and experimental therapies targeting central nervous system inflammation, strengthening the advisory board’s capacity to guide clinical translation.

These appointments come as Rewind prepares for clinical development of its lead program, which could represent a breakthrough by directly promoting repair rather than solely managing inflammation in demyelinating diseases.