Biomarkers are measurable indicators found in the body, such as substances in blood or tissues, that reveal information about health or disease. For investors, they can signal how well a medical treatment is working or whether a disease is developing, helping to assess the potential success or risks of healthcare companies or innovations. Think of biomarkers as biological signals that provide clues about a person’s health status.
precision medicinesmedical
Precision medicines are treatments designed to work for specific groups of patients identified by genetic, biological, or lifestyle characteristics, rather than a one-size-fits-all drug. They matter to investors because these therapies can be more effective and command premium pricing in smaller, well-defined markets—offering higher potential returns if successful but also concentrated development and regulatory risk, like betting on a tailored suit that fits only certain people.
major depressive disordermedical
A clinical condition characterized by persistent, severe low mood, loss of interest in daily activities, and reduced ability to function at work or home, lasting weeks or longer. It matters to investors because it drives demand for treatments and mental health services, affects workforce productivity and absenteeism, influences health-care and insurance costs, and shapes risks and opportunities for companies developing drugs, therapies or workplace programs—like a long-lasting storm that lowers economic output.
bipolar depressionmedical
Bipolar depression is the low-mood phase of bipolar disorder, when a person experiences prolonged sadness, low energy, slowed thinking, and loss of interest in daily activities; think of it as the downward swing in a mood pendulum. It matters to investors because it shapes demand for treatments, the design and outcome of clinical trials, regulatory approval chances, and long-term healthcare costs—factors that affect the commercial potential of therapies and medical companies.
treatment-resistant depressionmedical
A form of major depression that does not improve after a person has tried standard treatments such as common antidepressant medications and therapy; think of it as a stubborn problem that doesn’t respond to the usual fixes. It matters to investors because it represents a large unmet medical need and a higher-risk, higher-reward area for drug developers, with potential for premium pricing, regulatory scrutiny, and durable demand if an effective new therapy is approved.
schizophreniamedical
A chronic brain disorder that changes how a person thinks, perceives reality, feels and interacts with others, often causing hallucinations, false beliefs and trouble organizing thoughts or daily life. It matters to investors because the condition creates demand for long‑term treatments, diagnostics and support services; developing effective therapies can be costly, risky and highly regulated, but successful drugs or devices can open large, steady markets—think of it like fixing a deep, complex software bug that many users rely on.
clinical-stagemedical
Clinical-stage describes a drug, therapy, or company whose product is being tested in human trials but has not yet received regulatory approval. For investors, it signals that the project has moved beyond lab work into real-world testing—meaning higher potential reward if trials succeed but also clear risks from trial setbacks, costs, and regulatory delay; think of it like a prototype car on public road tests that could either prove its value or reveal problems that stop it from reaching production.
Phase 2bmedical
Phase 2b is a stage in the development of a new medicine or treatment where researchers test its effectiveness and safety in a larger group of people. This step helps determine whether the treatment works well enough to move forward and if it has manageable side effects, which is important for investors because successful results can lead to potential approval and market opportunity.
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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Alto Neuroscience, Inc. (NYSE: ANRO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel precision medicines for neuropsychiatric disorders, today congratulates founder and CEO Amit Etkin, M.D., Ph.D. on receiving the Transformational Research Award from the VP&S Alumni Association at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. This award honors VP&S alumni who are making transformational contributions to biomedical research within 25 years of graduation.
“Having led global neuroscience R&D efforts for many years, I recognize that true transformation requires moving beyond the 'one-size-fits-all' model,” said Husseini Manji, M.D., member of the Alto Neuroscience Board of Directors and former Global Head of Neuroscience at Johnson & Johnson. “Amit’s work, honored today by Columbia, represents the successful bridging of elite academic inquiry and industrial-scale innovation. He has moved the needle from theoretical biomarkers to a clinical-stage pipeline that has the potential to redefine how we treat mental health in a markedly improved manner.”
Dr. Etkin earned his MD and PhD with distinction from Columbia University under Nobel laureate Dr. Eric Kandel, joined the Stanford faculty in 2010, and received the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award — the most competitive NIH grant and the first ever awarded in clinical psychiatry. He founded Alto in 2019, where he leads development of the Precision Psychiatry Platform™, which uses brain-based biomarkers to identify patients most likely to respond to specific treatments. Alto’s clinical-stage pipeline programs span major depressive disorder, bipolar depression, treatment-resistant depression, and schizophrenia, with multiple mid- to late-stage data readouts expected across the coming two years.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award from Columbia,” said Dr. Etkin. “My years at Columbia — learning from some of the most brilliant scientific minds in the world, including Dr. Kandel — shaped my conviction that understanding the brain at a fundamental level is the key to transforming how we treat psychiatric disease. That conviction truly motivates our work at Alto, and I dedicate this recognition to the patients we serve and the remarkable team at Alto working to bring better treatments to them.”
Alto Neuroscience is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a mission to redefine psychiatry by leveraging neurobiology to develop personalized and highly effective treatment options. Alto’s Precision Psychiatry Platform™ measures brain biomarkers by analyzing EEG activity, neurocognitive assessments, wearable data, and other factors to better identify which patients are more likely to respond to Alto product candidates. Alto’s clinical-stage pipeline includes novel drug candidates in bipolar depression, major depressive disorder, treatment resistant depression, schizophrenia, and other mental health conditions. For more information, visit www.altoneuroscience.com or follow Alto on X.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Alto’s expectations about the potential benefits, activity, effectiveness, tolerability and safety of its product candidates and Precision Psychiatry Platform (“Platform”); Alto’s expectations with regard to its research and development programs and clinical trials, including the timing and availability of data from such trials; and other statements that are not historical fact. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the availability and timing of results from clinical trials; and other important factors, any of which could cause Alto’s actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, which are described in greater detail in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Alto’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as well as in other filings Alto may make with the SEC in the future. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Alto expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether because of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.
Availability of Information on Alto’s Website
Alto routinely uses its investor relations website to post presentations to investors and other important information, including information that may be material. Accordingly, Alto encourages investors and others interested in Alto to review the information it makes public on its investor relations website.
