“脑科学”的新淘金热

Core Insights - Neuroscience has historically been viewed as a high-risk area in pharmaceutical R&D, particularly for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, due to complex pathophysiological mechanisms leading to high failure rates [1] - Recently, there has been a notable shift as the neuroscience sector is gaining momentum, driven by commercial success in Alzheimer's treatments and advancements in technologies such as small molecules, RNAi, cell therapy, and AI [1][6] - The combination of technological breakthroughs and market confidence is prompting multinational corporations (MNCs) to engage in mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations, signaling a potential "gold rush" in neuroscience [1] Industry Trends - The number of clinical trials and transactions in the neuroscience field is increasing, with 138 new drugs currently undergoing 182 clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease, marking a 9% increase from 2024 [2] - Over the past five years, more than 200 new clinical trials have been initiated for Alzheimer's disease, depression, and Parkinson's disease, indicating a growing interest in these areas [5] Market Developments - Confidence in the sector is rising, particularly due to breakthroughs in Alzheimer's treatments, such as Biogen's Leqembi, which achieved sales of $214 million in 2024 and $121 million in Q3 2025, reflecting an 82% year-over-year increase [6] - The approval of diagnostic methods, such as the Elecsys® pTau181 blood test by Roche and Eli Lilly, is enhancing the efficiency of Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment [7] Technological Innovations - Emerging technologies like brain-computer interfaces and brain stimulation devices are becoming part of the investment narrative in neuroscience, with companies like Neuralink and Synchron conducting human clinical trials [8] - Advances in biomarkers and imaging agents are improving patient stratification in drug development, enhancing predictability of treatment efficacy [8] Policy Support - Significant government investments in brain science initiatives, such as the U.S. "Brain Initiative" with over $4 billion funding from 2014 to 2023, and China's brain plan with a budget exceeding 5 billion yuan, are fostering growth in the sector [8] Treatment Paradigms - The treatment landscape for Alzheimer's is evolving, with new therapies targeting Tau proteins gaining prominence over traditional Aβ-targeting approaches [9] - Innovations in drug delivery methods, such as brain-penetrating antibodies and RNAi technologies, are redefining treatment boundaries in neuroscience [11][12] Conclusion - After decades of exploration, the neuroscience field is experiencing unprecedented research intensity and commercialization, marking the onset of a new "gold rush" in the industry [13]