Filana Therapeutics Inc (Filana Therapeutics), formerly Cassava Sciences Inc, focuses on developing novel drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)-related epilepsy. The company’s approach to the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease seeks to simultaneously suppress both neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The company operates through one reportable segment, namely, the development of novel drugs and diagnostics. Filana Therapeutics has two biopharmaceutical assets under development. The lead therapeutic product candidate, simufilam, is a proprietary small-molecule oral treatment studied for the treatment of TSC-related epilepsy. The lead investigational diagnostic product candidate, SavaDx, is a novel biomarker assay studied for detecting the presence of Alzheimer’s disease from a small blood sample. Simufilam targets a protein called filamin A (FLNA) in the brain, which is linked to neuronal dysfunction, degeneration, and neuroinflammation. The company has conducted Phase 3 clinical trials for simufilam in Alzheimer’s disease, but these were discontinued after not meeting pre-specified endpoints. Filana Therapeutics has entered into a License Agreement with Yale to support the development and commercialization of simufilam for TSC-related epilepsy. The company owns patents covering simufilam's composition and methods of use in several countries, with patent protection in the US expiring between 2029 and 2040. Research has shown that this version of FLNA leads to problems with brain cells and inflammation in the brain. Simufilam works by blocking FLNA from binding to a specific receptor called the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7nAChR). The company is also developing an investigational diagnostic product candidate, SavaDx, which represents an innovative method for identifying Alzheimer's disease using just a tiny amount of blood. SavaDx is engineered to act as a detection tool for modified filamin A (FLNA). The company is currently running two large clinical trials with simufilam in people with Alzheimer's disease. These trials are already full, with about 1,900 patients who have mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease taking part.

The company’s R&D efforts focus on the development of its product pipeline for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The company has undertaken R&D initiatives focused on treating central nervous system diseases by targeting the scaffolding protein FLNA. The company has developed a family of high-affinity, small molecules, including simufilam, to potentially treat disorders such as Blood-based Diagnostic to detect Alzheimer’s Disease and TSC-related epilepsy. Simufilam aims to restore the normal function of key brain receptors, potentially slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and reducing seizures in TSC. Additionally, the company is developing SavaDx, an investigational diagnostic product candidate for detecting Alzheimer’s disease from blood samples. As of December 2025, Filana Therapeutics held nine issued US patents related to simufilam, with terms expiring between 2029 and 2040. The company has two pipeline products: simufilam, a therapeutic candidate, and SavaDx, a diagnostic candidate. In FY2025, the company spent US$26.5 million on its R&D activities.