Retrotope‘s proprietary drug platform represents a breakthrough in the treatment of degenerative diseases. Research has established a link between the oxidative damage of lipids in mitochondrial membranes and neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Friedreich’s ataxia and other diseases. Retrotope’s first drug candidate, RT001, confers cell protection against oxidative stress in high energy tissues like brain, retina and heart tissue by inhibiting mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. Its mechanism of action has been shown not only to prevent further cellular damage but also to recover mitochondrial function. RT001’s molecular structure is so similar to ordinary fats that the body naturally distributes them throughout the tissues wherever they are needed. The drug has been determined safe in human trials in a recent Phase 1/2 clinical trial in Friedreich’s ataxia patients. Retrotope is a privately held company founded and backed by world—renowned scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors. The company founders have dozens of years of experience in drug discovery technologies, a member of the US National Academy of Sciences, and several successful startups among them. Retrotope has developed its science virtually, with over 50 collaborations at major centers of excellence around the world that have yielded insights into the mechanisms of several diseases.