Lighthouse Pharmaceuticals

Lighthouse Pharmaceuticals is a private, clinical-stage biotech focused on precision therapeutics targeting infectious drivers of disease. The company's core platform develops selective protease inhibitors, with lead candidate LHP588 advancing in a Phase 2 trial for a genetically defined subset of Alzheimer's disease patients infected with P. gingivalis. Lighthouse has secured significant non-dilutive funding, including a $49.2M NIA grant, and has established a key animal health partnership, demonstrating validation of its approach. The company represents a high-risk, high-reward bet on the infectious etiology of neurodegeneration.

Platform for developing novel, potent, and selective small-molecule protease inhibitors, initially focused on gingipain inhibitors targeting P. gingivalis infection.

In Alzheimer's, Lighthouse competes indirectly with large pharma companies targeting amyloid (Eisai/Biogen's Leqembi), tau, and neuroinflammation. Direct competitors are few but include Cortexyme (now Quince Therapeutics), which pioneered the gingipain hypothesis with atuzaginstat but discontinued its AD program. Lighthouse's next-generation molecule and focused trial design aim to succeed where Cortexyme's broader trials did not.