Transforming Neurodegenerative Diseases 

         Making the Impossible Possible         

For several decades, drug development for neurodegenerative disease have yielded few successes. Researchers have fought the right battle – but on the wrong battlefield.

NeuroImmune Catalyst Fund is changing that paradigm.

We are laser focused on technologies and companies that harness the immune system to conquer Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

We bring capital, deep-domain expertise, and access to influential networks to catalyze game-changing ideas.

  • The neurodegenerative disease markets are massive and growing, driven by unprecedented aging of societies.

  • Alzheimer’s therapeutic antibodies are the only drugs to impact clinical outcomes, showing potential of immune-based interventions. But they are only focused on a small portion of the potential market.

  • Blood-based biomarkers enable earlier, cost-effective diagnosis of disease, provide the foundation for earlier disease modifying interventions, and enable accelerated clinical trials of therapeutics and vaccines.

  • Nobel Prize winning science has transformed treatment and prevention of cancer and can now be applied to neurodegenerative diseases.

Why Now?

The Inflection Point is Here: NeuroImmune Science is Ready to Deliver.

The convergence of these drivers has created a once-in-a-generation investment opportunity.

We are no longer waiting for a breakthrough—we are deploying one.

We don't just allocate capital—we actively drive success through informed, strategic partnerships and expert navigation.

Our success is driven by a diverse, seasoned team, giving us an unparalleled edge in identifying and scaling the next generation of therapeutic breakthroughs.

The Catalyst Team

  • David H. Crean, PhD, MBA

    Managing Partner at NeuroImmune Catalyst Fund, Venture Partner at 1004 Venture Partners, and Founder of Cardiff Advisory LLC, with 30+ years of experience in M&A, partnerships, and life sciences investing.

    Bio

  • Ted Schenkelberg, MBA, MPH

    Managing Partner at NeuroImmune Catalyst Fund and Next Frontier Advisors (NFA) and former COO and CSO of the Human Vaccines Project, with over 20 years of experience in vaccine and immunology R&D.

    Bio

  • Wayne C. Koff, PhD

    Managing Partner at NeuroImmune Catalyst Fund and Next Frontier Advisors (NFA), founder and former CEO of the Human Vaccines Project, and former Chief Scientific Officer at IAVI, with 40 years of experience in vaccine R&D

    BIO

  • Manuela Dorado, MPH

    Project Manager at NeuroImmune Catalyst Fund and researcher with seven years of experience conducting and leading neuroscience and global health research projects across academic and nonprofit sectors.

    Bio

Our Advisors

  • Dennis Burton, PhD

    Chair of the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at Scripps Research and a member of the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard

    Bio

  • Fred "Rusty" Gage, PhD

    Former President of the Salk Institute and a member of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine

    BIO

  • John Mattison, MD

    Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO) at Kaiser Permanente and previously served as an Operating Partner and CMIO at Arsenal Capital Partners

    Bio

  • Phil Johnson, MD

    President and CEO of Interious, a former Venture Partner at Apple Tree Partners, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

    Bio

Our success is anchored by talented investment professionals and seasoned healthcare industry veterans whose diverse experiences provide.

De-Risking Expertise

The ability to distinguish between groundbreaking science and promising theory.

Proprietary Deal Flow

Access to the most promising, early-stage innovations often invisible to generalist funds.

Strategic Execution

Guidance that accelerates clinical validation and market penetration.

We build and back transformative companies with deep expertise, global networks, and true founder partnership.

Why Us?

  • Transformative focus on the immune system

    We invest at the intersection of neuroscience and immunology, a rapidly advancing frontier where innovative science is paving the way for the next generation of transformative therapies.

  • Access to world-class scientific networks

    Direct linkage to global leaders—including the Alzheimer’s Vaccine Initiative (AVI) and a distinguished network of experts across neuroscience, immunology, and venture capital.

  • Unmatched scientific, business & product development Networks

    From bench to market—we connect companies to leading scientists, biotech operators, product strategists, pharma decision-makers, and venture syndicates to invest alongside us.

  • Founder-aligned partnerships

    We build and back transformative neuroimmune companies with deep expertise, global networks, and true founder partnership grounded in long-term collaboration.

  • Deep domain expertise

    Built by pioneers in immunology, biotech, venture building, and capital markets, uniting science with execution and capital to drive breakthrough innovation.

  • Early intervention mindset

    We focus on solutions that act before neurodegeneration becomes irreversible — disease interception, not just treatment, for better outcomes.

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