About Us
Synendos emerged from a decade of bold scientific exploration at the University of Bern and NCCR TransCure. Founded in Basel in 2019 by Prof. Jürg Gertsch, Dr. Andrea Chicca and Dr. Simon Russell, the company was built to go beyond what’s currently possible in endocannabinoid system pharmacology.
The journey to identify the first Selective Endocannabinoid Reuptake Inhibitor (SERI) was relentless. Millions of compounds were screened and through careful selection, one stood out: SYT-510, the first SERI entering development.
From discovery to the clinic, Synendos moved fast, advancing SYT-510 through preclinical development and completing Phase 1 clinical studies in 2025. Today, SYT-510 leads a growing pipeline, as the platform behind it continues to deliver new therapeutic candidates with transformative potential.
Our Story
Our Mission
Synendos aims to change the face of medicine in brain health.
We target the Endocannabinoid System using a novel mode of action with the potential to restore brain function in many major neuropsychiatric disorders.Our strategy aims to maximize early probability of success across selected indications with the potential to revolutionize neuroscience and positively impact the lives of millions of patients in need.
Dr. Andrea Chicca
Co-Founder &
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Simon Russell
Co-Founder &
Chief Commercial Officer
Dr. George Garibaldi
Chief Medical Officer
Management Team
Board of Directors
Prof. Dr. Jutta Heim
Chairperson of the Board
Dr. Andrea Chicca
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Bettina Ernst
Bernina BioInvest
Dr. Søren Lemonius
Sunstone Life Science Ventures
Dr. Peter Neubeck
Kurma Partners
Dr. Karen Wagner
Ysios Capital
Clinical & Scientific Advisors
Prof. Dr. Anahita Bassir Nia, MD
Professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine
Prof. Dr. Diego García-Borreguero, MD
Director of the Sleep Research Institute Madrid
Dr. Pierandrea Muglia, MD
Clinical Development & Neuropsychiatrist, CMO Saniona AB
Prof. Dr. Kirsten Müller-Vahl, MD
Professor of Psychiatry at the Hannover Medical School
Dr. Andreas Wallnöffer
Senior Executive, Board Director and Advisor in Biotech and Pharma former Global Head Roche Pharma pRED Development
Prof. Dr. Allan Young, MD
Principal Investigator and Scientific Advisor. Head of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London. Director of Centre for Affective Disorders, King’s College London
Bernina BioInvest
Kurma Partners
Sunstone Life Science Ventures
Ysios Capital
