What is WCNDD?
The Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery is a clinical stage biotech within a R01 research institution. We pioneer new approaches to developing treatments for serious neurological diseases and accelerate the pace of a scientific discovery reaching a patient.
Our Integrated Biotech Model
Most academic research often stops at basic science, while big pharma is focused on commercialization of a drug. The gap between discovery and commercialization is the specialty of the WCNDD. By combining the spirit of academia with the rigorous processes that guide the pharmaceutical industry our multidisciplinary teams—including Medicinal Chemistry, In Vivo Pharmacology, Molecular Pharmacology, and Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics —collaborate under one roof.
The WCNDD at Vanderbilt University is uniquely able to:
Identify and validate novel drug targets through cutting-edge academic research.
Design and optimize therapeutic compounds with high specificity and efficacy.
Conduct comprehensive preclinical evaluations to assess safety and pharmacokinetics.
Advance promising candidates into clinical trials at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, quickening the development pipeline.
Our Impact by the Numbers
Our integrated approach has yielded remarkable progress in neuroscience drug discovery.
Significant philanthropic support, including a generous endowment from the William K. Warren Foundation, which has been instrumental in propelling our research and development efforts.
U.S. patents filed
320+
reflecting our commitment to innovation and intellectual property development.
25
in our drug discovery pipeline, targeting a range of neurological conditions.
active research projects
compounds in Phase I clinical trials
3
These milestones underscore our translational capabilities
Collaborative Endeavors
We engage with biotech and pharmaceutical partners to enhance our research capabilities and accelerate the development of novel therapies. Together we foster the exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise, amplifying the impact of our work on a global scale