Galmed Announces the Breakthrough Development of a Brain Penetrating New Formulation of its SCD1 inhibitor, Aramchol
April 9, 2026
• 98% of drugs do not reach the brain, as the blood–brain barrier (BBB) separates peripheral blood circulation from the central nervous system (CNS).
• Galmed has developed, in collaboration with Barcode Nanotech, a unique proprietary formulation of Aramchol which targets the brain. By crossing the BBB, this new Aramchol formulation could become a disease modifying therapy for unmet chronic CNS diseases.
• Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1) has been identified as an important therapeutic target for CNS diseases (Parkinson disease and dementia) which are characterized by the aggregation of the protein a-synuclein (aSyn). In-vitro studies have demonstrated that Aramchol effectively down-regulated aSyn-aggregation in a dose dependent manner.
RAMAT-GAN, Israel, April 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: GLMD) ("Galmed" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company for liver, cardiometabolic diseases and GI oncological therapeutics, announced today the breakthrough development of a brain penetrating new formulation of Aramchol. Crossing of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an essential step to achieve effective treatment effects in Parkinson disease (PD) and other CNS diseases. The new Aramchol formulation is characterized by sequestration of the Aramchol in lipid nanoparticles which will be administered by subcutaneous injection for delivery across the BBB.
This new Aramchol formulation was co-developed by Galmed and Barcode Nanotech, based on Barcode Nanotech's unique and proprietary platform which enables simultaneous screening of hundreds of different nanoparticle formulations in vivo, coupled with AI analysis tools to select the optimal delivery vehicle to the brain.
There are currently no disease-modifying therapies available for treatment of PD or related synucleinopathies such as multiple systems atrophy (MSA) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). These diseases are each characterized by presence of Lewy bodies enriched in aSyn protein and are thus collectively known as synucleinopathies. Recent evidence from cell-based screens of aSyn toxicity has identified stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) as a potential target for treatment of synucleinopathies.
Based on the evidence for the role of SCD1 inhibition in mitigating synucleinopathies, Galmed's breakthrough medicinal chemistry work converting Aramchol into a brain-penetrant SCD1 inhibitor position Aramchol as an attractive therapeutic asset for synucleinopathies such as Parkinson disease, multiple systems atrophy (MSA), dementia and other CNS indications of unmet need.
Allen Baharaff, Galmed's Co-founder and CEO, commented: "The largest challenge in developing innovative CNS therapeutics is delivering these molecules to the brain. I am excited to report today the fruits of our collaboration with Barcode Nanotech, advancing our lead compound Aramchol as a first in class brain penetrating SCD1 inhibitor. Based on our preliminary in-vitro data which demonstrated that Aramchol dose-dependently down-regulated aSyn-aggregation as well as indicating that the treatment was not associated with toxicity, we believe that treatment with Aramchol could prevent the pathophysiological cascade that leads to aSyn-aggregation which induces a chronic inflammatory state that is associated with PD disease progression and severity. Subject to the regulatory advice we are now seeking, we are planning to advance Aramchol to a PoC Ph1b/2 studies in PD patients in H2 2026."
Ronen Eavri, Co-founder & CEO of Barcode Nanotech, commented: "Barcode Nanotech has developed a library of novel lipids for RNA and DNA, LNP-based delivery, through a unique in vivo & AI-based screening platform which allow simultaneously screening of hundreds of different nanoparticle formulations. Based on our proprietary platform and lipids library we have identified a unique formulation of Aramchol to cross the BBB and deliver the molecule to the brain. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Galmed to develop target-specific selective delivery vehicles of Aramchol to enable precise target-site activity and release of this promising drug."
About Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd.: We are a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of Aramchol. We have focused almost exclusively on developing Aramchol for the treatment of liver diseases, and continue to actively advance Aramchol for the treatment of combination therapy for NASH. We are also seeking to develop Aramchol for certain oncological indications outside of NASH and fibrosis. In addition, as part of our growth strategy, we are actively pursuing opportunities to expand and diversify our product pipeline specifically targeting cardiometabolic indications and other innovative product candidates that align with our core expertise in drug development.
About Barcode Nanotech Ltd.: Barcode Nanotech develops delivery solutions for RNA & DNA therapies through a unique multiplexed discovery platform. The Company's proprietary NeoRNA™ Targeting Technology enables efficient discovery and optimization of lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) through in silico & in vivo mass-screening. The solution combines the design of thousands of new lipids and LNPs, advanced AI tools and in vivo barcoding-based biodistribution analysis at a single cell resolution. Using this platform, Barcode has developed unique LNPs that can direct RNA and other therapies to cells in the brain, kidney, lungs and additional target organs. The company has an in-house lead drug development program and concurrently collaborates with biopharma companies to develop new therapies.
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