Athira Pharma
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Biopharmaceutical |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
Key people | Mark Litton (CEO) |
| Products | ATH-1017 (investigational drug) |
Athira Pharma is a U.S.-based biopharmaceutical firm at an advanced stage of clinical development, focusing on small-molecule treatments for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Its primary investigational drug, ATH-1017, began clinical trials involving human subjects for Alzheimer's disease in 2021.
Established in 2011 and located in Seattle, Athira Pharma receives financial backing from both public and private sources, including the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Dolby Family Ventures, the Life Sciences Discovery Fund of Washington State, The W Fund, and WRF Capital.
Leen Kawas served as the initial President and CEO but stepped down in October 2021 after an independent review revealed manipulation of images in scientific publications she authored. In 2025, the company agreed to a $4 million settlement concerning accusations of research misconduct linked to obtaining federal grants. On October 21, 2021, Mark Litton, Ph.D., M.B.A., assumed the role of CEO.
History
Athira Pharma has undergone four venture capital financing rounds. Previously known as M3 Biotechnology, the company adopted its current name on April 11, 2019.
Core technology
ATH-1017, Athira’s leading drug candidate, entered human clinical evaluation for Alzheimer's disease in 2021. This compound acts on the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and MET receptor signaling pathways, which are crucial to central nervous system operations. Presently, ATH-1017 is being tested in two clinical trials named ACT-AD and LIFT-AD.