Father’s search for treatment sparks new biotech Astrosalva

A father’s search for treatments for his son has led to the launch of Astrosalva Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on two rare genetic brain disorders.

Astrosalva’s origin story

Thomas Wagner, Co-Founder, Astrosalva, started the company to develop treatments for Alexander disease and the cerebral form of adrenoleukodystrophy (cALD). His son was diagnosed with Alexander disease as an infant.

“My son Max was seven months old when he was diagnosed with Alexander disease and we were told there was nothing that could be done,” Wagner said.

He responded by reading hundreds of research papers and writing to the scientists behind them, which led to open dialogue with many experts. “Those conversations showed me how much promise there is in the research,” he said.

That promise drove him to co-found Astrosalva, with the aim of turning the science into medicines for Max and other children like him.

Impact of the diseases

Alexander disease is extremely rare, affecting an estimated one in one to three million people worldwide, but its effects are significant.

The disease damages astrocytes, the cells that support the brain and spinal cord. This disrupts nervous system function and can cause developmental delay, seizures and progressive disability.

The disease can progress rapidly, particularly in children, often leading to total disability within a few years.

Astrosalva added cALD to its focus after the founders learned about the challenges shared by families affected by the disease.

Need for more treatments

Despite their rarity, both conditions already have approved treatments. In September 2026, the US FDA approved Ionis’s zilganersen (Zanvastro) as the first treatment for Alexander disease.

For cALD, the gene therapy Skysona (elivaldogene autotemce) was approved in 2022 for boys aged 4 to 17 with early, active disease. Stem cell transplantation is also an option.

This means Astrosalva is not entering an entirely new field. However, the founders argue more options are still needed.

“Families living with Alexander disease and cALD now have approved treatments, and they still need more, including medicines that are easier to take,” said Paul Schmidt, Co-Founder and CEO, Astrosalva.

Astrosalva’s pipeline

As it stands, Astrosalva’s programs are preclinical, which means there is no active clinical trial or expanded-access program to join as of yet.

Any therapies will be advanced in partnership with Unravel Biosciences and Richard Novak, Co-Founder and CEO, Unravel, has joined Astrosalva’s board of directors.

“We’re pleased to be Astrosalva’s founding development partner and bring our experience in rare and complex disease drug development to its programmes,” Novak said.