Restoring lysosomal function
Driven by human experience
About
Mair Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Our primary focus is on Parkinson’s disease, leveraging advanced drug discovery technologies and deep expertise in ion channel biology.
We are working on the modulation of TMEM175, a lysosomal ion channel critical for cellular waste management and protein aggregation control. By combining cutting-edge science with innovative drug development strategies, Mair Therapeutics aims to deliver disease-modifying treatments that address the root causes of Parkinson’s and improve patients' lives
TMEM175
TMEM175 is a proton leak channel on the lysosome and is increasingly recognized as a key player in Parkinson’s disease due to its role in lysosomal function. Lysosomes are essential for breaking down cellular waste, including damaged proteins and organelles. In Parkinson’s, the accumulation of toxic proteins like α-synuclein is a major contributor to neurodegeneration, and this process is tightly linked to lysosomal dysfunction.
Genetic studies have shown that certain variants of TMEM175 reduce their activity, leading to impaired lysosomal degradation. When lysosomes fail to clear cellular waste efficiently, toxic aggregates build up, stressing neurons and ultimately leading to their death. This is particularly relevant in dopaminergic neurons, which are highly sensitive to disruptions in protein clearance.
Restoring TMEM175 function would have beneficial effects on the lysosomal degradation capacity.
News
13 February 2025
Mair Therapeutics Secures Pre-Seed Funding and Launches to Pioneer Therapies for Parkinson's Disease.
Team
Vasily Kazey, CEO
Dr. Vasily Kazey is a neuroscientist and biotech executive with 20 years of experience in drug discovery, clinical development, and venture investment. He has contributed to the development of novel therapies in oncology, neurology, and immunology, including gene therapies and small-molecule drugs.
Vasily co-founded several companies and successfully raised funding for early-stage ventures across Europe. As a Venture Partner at Torrey Pines Investment, he supports portfolio companies in drug development and strategic growth. He is the author of over 20 scientific publications and holds three patents. Vasily holds a PhD in neuroscience and an intensive MBA.
Alexei Pushechnikov, VP MedChem
Dr. Alexei Pushechnikov is an accomplished scientific and technology leader with over two decades of experience in drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, and process research. Throughout his career, Dr. Pushechnikov has held senior roles across the biotech and pharmaceutical ecosystem in the United States and Europe. Dr. Pushechnikov gained extensive experience in process chemistry and pilot-scale synthesis at Obiter Research and contributed to cancer therapy research at the International Institute of Nano and Molecular Medicine (University of Missouri), focusing on boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT).
He also served on the Board of Directors of Enamine Ltd., a global provider of chemical building blocks and screening libraries, where he also led customer relations and the establishment of contract biology services. Alexei also serves as a CTO of Expert System accelerator. Dr. Pushechnikov holds a PhD in Element-Organic Chemistry from the Research Institute of Organic Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. He has authored multiple scientific publications in medicinal chemistry, structural biology, and pharmaceutical process development.
