Who we are
AlphaSphere Therapeutics is a Swiss preclinical, pioneering biotech founded by scientists and entrepreneurs who share one conviction: Alzheimer's disease can be beaten — and the brain holds the key.
We are a lean, driven founding team based in Basel, Switzerland, operating at the intersection of academic excellence and entrepreneurial urgency. Our work builds on almost a decade of cutting-edge translational research at the University of Basel and ZHAW, combining deep mechanistic science with a clear societary vision: re-shaping the anti-amyloid treatment landscape.
What we do
We are developing the first oral small molecule designed to enhance α-secretase activity — the brain's own protective enzyme — to prevent amyloid accumulation before plaques can form, and to sustain that protection long after anti-amyloid antibody treatment.
Our lead program targets ADAM10, a key regulator of the non-amyloidogenic pathway. By activating this endogenous mechanism, we aim to address the root cause of Alzheimer's disease — not just its consequences.
This is not a symptomatic treatment. This is disease modification from within.
Why it matters
55 million people live with dementia today. By 2050, that number will triple. Anti-amyloid antibodies have opened a new chapter — but they clear plaques without preventing re-accumulation. A maintenance therapy is urgently needed.
We built AlphaSphere to close that gap.
Our team
We are scientists, clinicians, and builders — united by the belief that the next breakthrough in Alzheimer's therapy will come from activating what the brain already knows how to do.
Florian Marquardsen — CEO & Co-Founder Entrepreneur and strategist with a passion for translating science into impact. Driving AlphaSphere's vision, partnerships, and capital strategy.
Dr. Adrian Baldrich — CSO & Co-Founder Bioscientist and drug discovery expert. Leading the compound program, target validation, translational and preclinical science.
Prof. Dr. Mike Recher — Scientific Co-Founder Professor of Immunology at the University of Basel. Providing scientific advisory and academic anchoring for the program.