Our Approach

Longboard was formed in January 2020 by Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (acquired by Pfizer) to advance a portfolio of centrally-acting product candidates designed to be highly selective for specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs have been proven to be the most successful class of druggable targets in the human genome and make up 50-60% of all druggable targets in the body.  Longboard’s small molecule product candidates were discovered out of the same world-class GPCR research platform at Arena that represents a culmination of more than 20 years of drug development and optimization.

Our Pipeline

GPCRs are highly validated therapeutic targets.

G protein-coupled receptors
(GPRCs) represent
50 – 60%
of druggable targets in body
GPCRs are the largest and most diverse protein family, corresponding to
2%
of the human genome
GPCRs represent
40%
of prescription drugs

AT LONGBOARD, WE ARE DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF THIS PROVEN CLASS OF DRUGS

Our therapeutic candidates are designed with the selectivity and specificity of next generation therapies that may translate into favorable profiles and potentially improved safety.

Therapeutic Areas of Interest

There are multiple Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy (DEE) syndromes affecting infants, children and adults across the world, and there is a significant unmet need for treating and controlling multiple different seizure types across these populations.   Learn more here.

DEEs refer to a group of severe heterogeneous epilepsies that are characterized by drug resistant seizures and significant developmental delay.

Importantly, if seizure control can be improved, developmental delay may slow. Most DEEs begin early in life, often starting in infancy. Children can have frequent and severe seizures which may be of multiple types. Epileptic spasms, tonic or atonic seizures and myoclonic seizures, among other seizure types, can be seen. In many cases, seizures are life long, although in some instances they can abate with time with certain syndromes or specific causes. Learn more.

Dravet syndrome, also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), is a rare form of drug-resistant epilepsy that begins in infancy and proceeds with accumulating morbidity that significantly impacts individuals throughout their lifetime. Approximately 80-85% of Dravet patients have a mutation in their SCN1A gene. Learn more.

LGS is a developmental brain disorder that frequently evolves from early-life-onset epilepsy with multiple different types of seizures. Abnormal brain waves seen in LGS helps physicians examine brain structure and potentially locate the cause of the seizure activity. Because the seizures associated with LGS are usually resistant to treatment, intellectual impairment and learning problems may worsen over time. Learn more.

TSC is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in many different organs, primarily in the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, skin and lungs. The aspects of TSC that most strongly impact quality of life are generally associated with the brain: seizures, developmental delay, intellectual disability and autism. Learn more.

CDD is a rare developmental epileptic encephalopathy caused by mutations in the CDKL5 gene, and this can manifest in a broad range of clinical symptoms and severity. The hallmarks are early-onset, intractable epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disability impacting cognitive, motor, speech, and visual function. Although rare, it is one of the most common forms of genetic epilepsy. Learn more.

Publications

Longboard Pharmaceuticals – Corporate Overview

American Epilepsy Society (AES) 2022 Annual Meeting

Evaluation of Prolactin as a Useful Pharmacodynamic Tool to Assess Engagement of Central 5-HT2C Receptors by LP352, a Potent and Selective 5-HT2C Agonist
Rosa Chan, Dewey McLin, Randall Kaye

Searching for Safer and More Effective Medications in the Management of Seizure Disorders: A 5-HT2C Superagonist
Randall Kaye, Graeme Semple, David Unett, Ibragim Gaidarov, Todd Anthonye

American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting 2022

Single Ascending Dose Pharmacokinetics (PK), Pharmacodynamics (PD), and Tolerability of LP352 in Healthy Subjects
Dolly A. Parasrampuria, Ian Mills, Gale O’Connell, Archana Chaudhary, Jon Ruckle, Chad Orevillo, Phil Perera

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multiple Ascending Dose Pharmacokinetics (PK), Pharmacodynamics (PD), and Tolerability Study of LP352 in Healthy Subjects
Dolly A. Parasrampuria, Ian Mills, Gale O’Connell, Archana Chaudhary, Jon Ruckle, Chad Orevillo, Phil Perera

Live the
Longboard Life.

We are committed to improving the quality of life for individuals with devastating neurological conditions and strive to be the best possible teammates and colleagues. Learn more about our culture, benefits and open positions.

We show up
for patients.

The people living with, supporting and treating those with neurological conditions are at the center of what we do. Learn more about our commitment.