Edison

Edison’s focus is centered on the discovery and development of proprietary, effective and orally available CoQ10-based drugs that cross into the central nervous system for the treatment of CoQ10-responsive inherited mitochondrial and neurodegenerative diseases.

CoQ10 is a biochemical found in every human cell and is an abbreviation for coenzyme Q10. The Q stands for quinone, referencing the one component of its chemical structure essential for electron transfer. CoQ10 is not a vitamin; it is made by our bodies; and is essential for energy generation. Its primary function is the transfer of electrons in the mitochondria. Structurally, CoQ10 is composed of two core components– a redox head and lipid tail. The redox head is a member of the para-benzoquinone chemical class. The lipid tail is comprised of 10 covalently linked isoprene units.

The function of CoQ10 tracks closely with its structure. The quinone head of CoQ10 undergoes reversible redox reactions within the electron transport system at complex II functioning as a biological wire. The lipid tail of CoQ10 serves to anchor it within the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Edison believes that CoQ10s central function, the transfer of electrons, can be optimized to enhance the response observed with CoQ10 therapy. Today, there are many CoQ10-responsive disease indications about which mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated or proven. In each of these indications, the lack of significant clinical benefit has systematically been attributed to CoQ10s very poor solubility. Despite multiple efforts that successfully have improved solubility parameters, or conducting mega-dose trials, the outcome is the same– a CoQ10 treatment response, absent a meaningful clinical benefit.