Muna Therapeutics Secures $1 Million Alzheimer’s Association Grant to Advance TREM2-Targeting Therapy

Muna Therapeutics Secures $1 Million Alzheimer’s Association Grant to Advance TREM2-Targeting Therapy

By, Admin 10 January 2026

Muna Therapeutics has received a major boost for its Alzheimer’s disease program.

The clinical-stage biotech company announced a $1 million research grant from the Alzheimer’s Association to support its ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of MNA-001 and the development of translational biomarkers for TREM2 function.

What the Grant Will Support?

The funding will directly accelerate two critical workstreams:

  • Ongoing Phase 1 trial of MNA-00: Conducted in healthy young and elderly volunteers to evaluate safety and early pharmacology.
  • Identification and validation of TREM2 biomarkers: Designed to measure drug-driven activation of TREM2 signaling and microglial function.

These efforts are essential for designing robust Phase 2 trials.

Why MNA-001 and TREM2 Matter in Alzheimer’s?

MNA-001 is a potent, selective, orally administered small molecule that targets TREM2.

TREM2 plays a central role in:

  • Microglial activation
  • Clearance of misfolded proteins
  • Regulation of neuroinflammation

Rather than focusing solely on removing amyloid or tau, Muna’s strategy aims to enhance the brain’s innate protective mechanisms.

Preparing for Phase 2 Clinical Trials

The work funded by the grant will help determine whether TREM2 agonism can:

  • Slow Alzheimer’s pathology progression
  • Preserve cognitive and functional abilities
  • Normalize microglial behavior
  • Reduce chronic neuroinflammation

Validated biomarkers will allow researchers to directly track whether MNA-001 is engaging its intended biological pathway in humans.

A Shift in the Alzheimer’s Treatment Paradigm

According to Muna’s leadership, the approach represents a meaningful departure from traditional strategies.

By recalibrating microglial activity, Muna aims to:

  • Interrupt the self-reinforcing cycle of neuroinflammation
  • Promote resilience against neurodegeneration
  • Offer a potentially transformative option for early Alzheimer’s disease

This resilience-based model is central to Muna’s discovery philosophy.

Validation of an “All-in-Human” Discovery Model

The grant also validates Muna’s all-in-human discovery and validation engine.

Key features of this approach include:

  • Early human biology data
  • Translational biomarkers from the outset
  • Faster and more informed clinical decision-making

This model is designed to reduce late-stage clinical failure.

Growing Momentum for Muna Therapeutics

The Alzheimer’s Association award highlights:

  • External confidence in Muna’s science
  • Momentum behind its neurodegeneration pipeline
  • Leadership in resilience-based therapeutics

Muna continues to build a portfolio aimed at slowing or stopping neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

Bottom Line

The $1 million grant strengthens Muna Therapeutics’ path forward.

It supports:

  • Continued Phase 1 development of MNA-001
  • Biomarker strategies critical for Phase 2 success
  • A novel, biology-driven approach to Alzheimer’s treatment

As the field searches for more effective solutions, Muna is betting on the brain’s own defences, and now has strong backing to prove it.

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