SMA Research Platform

Evidence graph for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Biology-first target discovery
Christian Fischer / Bryzant Labs
13,058Targets
453Trials
84Drugs
7Datasets
42,617Sources
48,024Claims
55,019Evidence
29,646Hypotheses

Drug Repurposing

COMPUTATIONAL
75 candidates

Drug repurposing means finding new therapeutic uses for existing approved drugs — bypassing the 10–15 years and $1–2B typically required for de novo drug development. Repurposed drugs have already passed safety trials, so clinical translation is dramatically faster: Phase I is often skipped and Phase II can start in 2–3 years rather than 10+.

The platform identifies SMA repurposing candidates through three convergent strategies: (1) Cross-disease mining — drugs approved or in trials for related neuromuscular diseases (ALS, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, SBMA, CMT) that share molecular targets with SMA; (2) ChEMBL bioactivity — known compounds with high pChEMBL values (≥ 6.0, corresponding to IC₅₀ ≤ 1 µM) against top-scored SMA targets; (3) Pathway overlap — compounds whose known mechanism overlaps with the actin dynamics, NMJ signaling, or autophagy/survival pathways dysregulated in SMA.

75
Total Candidates
17
Approved Drugs
15
Score ≥0.7
37
Cross-Disease
How does Repurposing Scoring work?

Each candidate is scored 0–1 based on target relevance, potency, clinical phase, and pathway convergence. Three convergent strategies: (1) Cross-disease mining — drugs approved/in trials for related neuromuscular diseases sharing SMA targets; (2) ChEMBL bioactivity — compounds with pChEMBL ≥ 6.0 (IC₅₀ ≤ 1 µM) against SMA targets; (3) Pathway overlap — mechanism overlaps SMA-relevant pathways.

Precedent: Valproic acid (HDAC inhibitor, epilepsy origin) was one of the first SMA trial compounds. Olesoxime reached Phase II. Riluzole (ALS) showed modest motor neuron protection in SMA models. The platform extends this approach computationally. Click any row to see full rationale, mechanism, and target link.

75 / 75
#CompoundSMA TargetScoreSourcePhaseOutcomeRationale
1nusinersenSMN20.926cross diseaseapprovedsuccessnusinersen shows success on SMN2 (approved). Approved treatment for SMA that increases SMN protein production through SMN2 splicing modification.
2risdiplamSMN20.926cross diseaseapprovedsuccessrisdiplam shows success on SMN2 (approved). Second approved DMT; 24.0% of 2140 patients initiated treatment with risdiplam in real-world cohort.
3GNR-100SMN20.917cross diseaseapprovedsuccessGNR-100 shows success on SMN2 (approved). Generic nusinersen (GNR-100) demonstrates bioequivalence to reference nusinersen with identical oligonucleotide structure and comparable SMN-gene spli
4nusinersen and risdiplam (pooled analysis)SMN20.911cross diseaseapprovedpartial successnusinersen and risdiplam (pooled analysis) shows partial_success on SMN2 (approved). While both nusinersen and risdiplam achieved motor function improvements and high survival rates, clinical effectiveness was limited by variable outco
5SMN-inducing drugs (general class)SMN20.851cross diseaseapprovedsuccessSMN-inducing drugs (general class) shows success on SMN2 (approved). SMN-inducing drugs improved motor function and fatigability in SMA patients with concurrent restoration of sensory-motor circuit function measured by
6SMN-inducing drugsSMN20.821cross diseaseapprovedsuccessSMN-inducing drugs shows success on SMN2 (approved). SMN-inducing drugs improved motor function and fatigability in ambulatory type 3 SMA patients and mouse models, with improvements correlated to increa
7SMN-inducing drugs (unspecified)SMN20.821cross diseaseapprovedpartial successSMN-inducing drugs (unspecified) shows partial_success on SMN2 (approved). SMN-inducing drugs improve motor function and fatigability in type 3 SMA patients and models, with efficacy monitored by Hoffmann reflex assay measuri
8onasemnogeneSMN10.776cross diseaseapprovedsuccessonasemnogene shows success on SMN1 (approved). Gene therapy approved for spinal muscular atrophy treatment.
9onasemnogene abeparvovecSMN10.776cross diseaseapprovedsuccessonasemnogene abeparvovec shows success on SMN1 (approved). Third approved DMT; 11.4% of 2140 patients initiated treatment with onasemnogene abeparvovec in real-world cohort.
10onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma)SMN10.761cross diseaseapprovedsuccessonasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma) shows success on SMN1 (approved). Approved AAV gene therapy product with adequate toxicology characterized in ≤3-month studies
11onasemnogene abeparvovec (OAV101 IT)SMN10.726cross diseasephase3partial successonasemnogene abeparvovec (OAV101 IT) shows partial_success on SMN1 (phase3). OAV101 IT demonstrated acceptable safety profile in treatment-experienced SMA patients with manageable adverse events, though hepatotoxicity and throm
12CHEMBL1359097SMN20.719chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1359097 has pChEMBL=8.3 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: O=C(c1ccc(SCc2cccc(Br)c2)c([N+](=O)[O-])c1)N1CCN(c2ccccn2)CC...
13CHEMBL1409365SMN20.716chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1409365 has pChEMBL=8.3 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: CC(C)(C)C1CCC(OC(=O)C[N+]2(C)CCCCC2)CC1.[I-]
14CHEMBL1339757SMN20.716chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1339757 has pChEMBL=8.3 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: Cc1ccc(NC(=O)Nc2c(C)n(C)n(-c3ccccc3)c2=O)cc1C
15ZolgensmaSMN10.701cross diseaseapprovedsuccessZolgensma shows success on SMN1 (approved). Zolgensma represents a successful gene therapy option for SMA, though long-term effects and accessibility remain unresolved.
16CHEMBL1575581SMN20.696chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1575581 has pChEMBL=7.9 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: Cc1ccc2c(N)c(C#N)sc2n1
17riluzolemultiple0.685cross diseaseapprovedsuccessriluzole shows success on GLUTAMATE SIGNALING (approved). Riluzole pharmacologically rescued motor neuron survival in SALS-derived neurons, demonstrating drug efficacy in patient model.
18tofersenmultiple0.685cross diseaseapprovedsuccesstofersen shows success on SOD1 MRNA (approved). Tofersen is the first approved therapy for SOD1-ALS with biomarker evidence of target engagement showing reduced neurofilament levels and other neural
19eteplirsen (Luxturna)RPE650.680cross diseaseapprovedsuccesseteplirsen (Luxturna) shows success on RPE65 (approved). Approved AAV gene therapy product with adequate toxicology characterized in ≤3-month studies
20edaravonemultiple0.676cross diseaseapprovedpartial successedaravone shows partial_success on OXIDATIVE STRESS (approved). Edaravone demonstrates modest neuroprotective effects in preclinical models and a subset of ALS patients, but with inconsistent results and limited cl
21nusinersen-like antisense oligonucleotide (intracerebroventricular administration)SMN20.670cross diseasepreclinicalsuccessnusinersen-like antisense oligonucleotide (intracerebroventricular administration) shows success on SMN2 (preclinical). ICV administration of nusinersen-like ASO restored SMN2 splicing, improved survival and motor function, and prevented lymphoid organ pathology includi
22eteplirsenmultiple0.670cross diseaseapprovedpartial successeteplirsen shows partial_success on DMD EXON 51 (approved). Eteplirsen received accelerated approval for DMD but lacks convincing functional evidence of slowing disease progression and has limited geographic ap
23nusinersen-like antisense oligonucleotide (subcutaneous administration)SMN20.667cross diseasepreclinicalsuccessnusinersen-like antisense oligonucleotide (subcutaneous administration) shows success on SMN2 (preclinical). Subcutaneous administration of nusinersen-like ASO restored SMN2 splicing, improved survival and motor function, and prevented lymphoid pathology in s
24DG9-PMOSMN20.667cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successDG9-PMO shows partial_success on SMN2 (preclinical). DG9-conjugated PMO demonstrates improved survival, motor coordination, muscle pathology mitigation, and CNS distribution via subcutaneous injection co
25CHEMBL1339741SMN20.666chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1339741 has pChEMBL=7.3 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: CC(=O)Nc1ccc(Nc2nc(C)c([N+](=O)[O-])c(Nc3ccc(NC(C)=O)cc3)n2)...
26CHEMBL1497549SMN20.664chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1497549 has pChEMBL=7.2 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: O=C(NC(Nc1nc2ccc([N+](=O)[O-])cc2s1)(C(F)(F)F)C(F)(F)F)c1ccc...
27F18MOESMN20.661cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successF18MOE shows partial_success on SMN2 (preclinical). F18MOE achieves on-target SMN2 splicing modulation but causes widespread off-target exon skipping and transcriptome dysregulation via sequence-depende
28CHEMBL1477410SMN20.656chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1477410 has pChEMBL=7.1 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: CN(C)c1ccc(C(c2nnnn2CCOC(=O)Nc2ccc(Cl)cc2)N2CCOCC2)cc1
29R6G-PMOSMN20.646cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successR6G-PMO shows partial_success on SMN2 (preclinical). Benchmark cell-penetrating peptide-conjugated PMO shows lesser efficacy than DG9-PMO in rescue of phenotype in SMA mice.
30CHEMBL1458133SMN20.646chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1458133 has pChEMBL=6.9 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: O=C(COC(=O)CCCN1C(=O)c2cccc3cccc(c23)C1=O)Nc1cccc(Br)c1
31CHEMBL1575524SMN20.641chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1575524 has pChEMBL=6.8 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: COc1ccc(-n2c(=O)c3ccccc3n(CC(=O)Nc3cc(C)on3)c2=O)cc1OC
32CHEMBL1379627SMN20.631chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1379627 has pChEMBL=6.6 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: O=C(Nc1ccc(C(F)(F)F)cc1)c1cnc(N2CCN(c3ccccn3)CC2)c2ccccc12
33CHEMBL1604526SMN20.611chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1604526 has pChEMBL=6.2 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: Cn1nc(C(=O)NCCN2CCOCC2)c2ccccc2c1=O
34CHEMBL1557815SMN20.609chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1557815 has pChEMBL=6.2 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: Cc1cccc(NC(=O)Cn2cc(C(=O)c3ccco3)c3ccccc32)c1
35CHEMBL1319158SMN20.606chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1319158 has pChEMBL=6.1 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: Cc1cc(C)c(C#N)c(SCc2nc(O)c3ccccc3n2)n1
36CHEMBL3752910STMN20.604chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL3752910 has pChEMBL=8.4 on STMN2 (target score: 0.373). SMILES: Cc1ccc(C(=O)Nc2cccc(C(F)(F)F)c2)cc1Nc1nc(-c2cccnc2)nc2c1cnn2...
37CHEMBL1516729SMN20.601chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1516729 has pChEMBL=6.0 on SMN2 (target score: 0.602). SMILES: C=CCn1c(C)cc(C(=O)CSc2nc3ccccc3[nH]2)c1C
38CHEMBL5759269UBA10.587chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL5759269 has pChEMBL=7.3 on UBA1 (target score: 0.448). SMILES: NS(=O)(=O)OC[C@H]1C[C@@H](Nc2ccnc3cc(-c4ccccc4)nn23)[C@H](O)...
39CHEMBL5177755UBA10.583chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL5177755 has pChEMBL=7.2 on UBA1 (target score: 0.448). SMILES: COC(=O)N1CCC2(CC1)C[C@H](Nc1ncnc3c1nnn3[C@@H]1C[C@@H](COS(N)...
40CHEMBL5653589UBA10.576chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL5653589 has pChEMBL=7.0 on UBA1 (target score: 0.448). SMILES: Cc1ccc(C(=O)Nc2cccc(C(F)(F)F)c2)cc1Nc1nc(-c2cccnc2)nc2nn(C)c...
41LuxturnaRPE650.575cross diseaseapprovedsuccessLuxturna shows success on RPE65 (approved). Luxturna is an approved gene therapy for rare conditions, though prohibitive pricing limits accessibility.
42CHEMBL5175806UBA10.542chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL5175806 has pChEMBL=6.3 on UBA1 (target score: 0.448). SMILES: CCOc1cccc(F)c1C#Cc1cn([C@@H]2O[C@H](CNS(N)(=O)=O)[C@@H](O)[C...
43CHEMBL5793677UBA10.537chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL5793677 has pChEMBL=6.3 on UBA1 (target score: 0.448). SMILES: Cc1cc(N[C@@H]2C[C@H](COS(N)(=O)=O)[C@@H](O)[C@H]2O)n2nc(-c3c...
44CHEMBL5743820UBA10.537chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL5743820 has pChEMBL=6.3 on UBA1 (target score: 0.448). SMILES: NS(=O)(=O)OC[C@H]1C[C@@H](Nc2cc(Cl)nc3cc(-c4ccccc4)nn23)[C@H...
45CHEMBL5866556UBA10.537chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL5866556 has pChEMBL=6.3 on UBA1 (target score: 0.448). SMILES: NS(=O)(=O)OC[C@H]1C[C@@H](Nc2cc(Cl)nc3cc(-c4ccc(Br)cc4)nn23)...
46CHEMBL5799754UBA10.537chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL5799754 has pChEMBL=6.3 on UBA1 (target score: 0.448). SMILES: NS(=O)(=O)OC[C@H]1C[C@@H](Nc2cc(Cl)nc3cc(-c4cccc5ccccc45)nn2...
47CHEMBL5440318UBA10.534chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL5440318 has pChEMBL=6.2 on UBA1 (target score: 0.448). SMILES: C=S(C)(=O)N1CC(=O)N[C@@H](CN(CC(=O)N[C@H](CCCCN)CN(CC(=O)N[C...
48CHEMBL5433769UBA10.531chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL5433769 has pChEMBL=6.1 on UBA1 (target score: 0.448). SMILES: C=S(C)(=O)N(CC(=O)N[C@H](CC(C)C)CN(CC(=O)N[C@H](CCCCN)CN(CC(...
49CRISPR-Q (CasRx-based transcript knockdown)SMN10.496cross diseasepreclinicalsuccessCRISPR-Q (CasRx-based transcript knockdown) shows success on SMN1 (preclinical). CRISPR-Q system achieved simultaneous knockdown of tardbp and tardbpl to model amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in zebrafish.
50CHEMBL555257DNMT3B0.492chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL555257 has pChEMBL=6.6 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: O=C(O)[C@@H]1C[C@H](SC[C@H]2O[C@@H](n3cnc4c(NCCc5ccc(-c6cccc...
51CHEMBL418052DNMT3B0.489chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL418052 has pChEMBL=6.5 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: Nc1ncnc2c1ncn2[C@@H]1O[C@H](CSCC[C@H](N)C(=O)O)[C@@H](O)[C@H...
52CHEMBL552309DNMT3B0.489chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL552309 has pChEMBL=6.5 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: Nc1ncnc2c1ccn2[C@@H]1O[C@H](CSCC[C@H](N)C(=O)O)[C@@H](O)[C@H...
53CHEMBL557902DNMT3B0.489chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL557902 has pChEMBL=6.5 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: Nc1ncnc2c1ncn2[C@@H]1O[C@H](CS[C@@H]2CN[C@H](C(=O)O)C2)[C@@H...
54CHEMBL2106789DNMT3B0.478chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL2106789 has pChEMBL=6.3 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: C[C@@H]1O[C@@H](CC(=O)O)CC2=C1C(=O)c1c(O)cccc1C2=O
55CHEMBL560105DNMT3B0.474chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL560105 has pChEMBL=6.2 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: NC(CCSC[C@H]1O[C@@H](n2cnc3c(NCCCc4ccccc4)ncnc32)[C@H](O)[C@...
56CHEMBL555352DNMT3B0.474chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL555352 has pChEMBL=6.2 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: NC(CCSC[C@H]1O[C@@H](n2cnc3c(NCCc4ccc(-c5ccccc5)cc4)ncnc32)[...
57CHEMBL560505DNMT3B0.466chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL560505 has pChEMBL=6.0 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: COc1cc(CNc2ncnc3c2ncn3[C@@H]2O[C@H](CSCCC(N)C(=O)O)[C@@H](O)...
58CHEMBL1564869DNMT3B0.466chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL1564869 has pChEMBL=6.0 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: O=C(O)[C@H](Cc1c[nH]c2ccccc12)N1C(=O)c2ccccc2C1=O
59CHEMBL559283DNMT3B0.465chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL559283 has pChEMBL=6.0 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: O=C(O)[C@@H]1C[C@H](SC[C@H]2O[C@@H](n3cnc4c(NCCc5ccc(-c6cccc...
60CHEMBL560045DNMT3B0.463chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL560045 has pChEMBL=6.0 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: Cc1nc(N)c2ncn([C@@H]3O[C@H](CSCCC(N)C(=O)O)[C@@H](O)[C@H]3O)...
61CHEMBL556265DNMT3B0.463chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL556265 has pChEMBL=6.0 on DNMT3B (target score: 0.326). SMILES: NC(CCSC[C@H]1O[C@@H](n2cnc3c(NCc4ccccc4)ncnc32)[C@H](O)[C@@H...
62CUG codon mutation (base editing approach)multiple0.435cross diseasepreclinicalsuccessCUG codon mutation (base editing approach) shows success on C9ORF72 RAN TRANSLATION INITIATION CODON (preclinical). Blocking RAN translation-derived DPR production alleviates behavioral deficits, motor neuron loss, neuroinflammation, p-TDP-43 inclusions, and increas
63MSC-derived small extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs)multiple0.435cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successMSC-derived small extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs) shows partial_success on MULTIPLE NEUROPROTECTIVE PATHWAYS (preclinical). Intranasal MSC-sEVs delayed functional deterioration and prolonged mild impairment stage but did not significantly extend overall survival in ALS mous
64AAVrh74.tMCK.NT-3multiple0.435cross diseasepreclinicalsuccessAAVrh74.tMCK.NT-3 shows success on NT-3 (NEUROTROPHIN 3) (preclinical). AAVrh74.tMCK.NT-3 gene therapy significantly improved grip strength, rotarod performance, electrophysiological parameters, and NMJ denervation while r
65CHEMBL4125910LY960.434chembl bioactivitypreclinicalCHEMBL4125910 has pChEMBL=6.2 on LY96 (target score: 0.248). SMILES: N[C@@H](Cc1ccccc1)C(=O)N[C@@H](CO)C(=O)N[C@@H](CO)C(=O)N[C@@...
66N-of-1 ASO for TTD-A (p52ΔC-inducing)GTF2H40.433cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successN-of-1 ASO for TTD-A (p52ΔC-inducing) shows partial_success on GTF2H4 (preclinical). ASO-induced p52 C-terminal truncation successfully stabilized TFIIH complex in p8-deficient patient cells, providing proof-of-concept for N-of-1 ASO t
67clomipramineSOD10.431cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successclomipramine shows partial_success on SOD1 (preclinical). Clomipramine ameliorates lifespan reduction, improves climbing abilities, and mitigates genomic instability and inflammation in Drosophila SOD1-ALS mo
68melatonin + edaravone combinationmultiple0.414cross diseasepreclinicalsuccessmelatonin + edaravone combination shows success on IGF-1 SIGNALING, OXIDATIVE STRESS, NEUROINFLAMMATION (preclinical). Melatonin and edaravone combination exhibited synergistic neuroprotective effects surpassing individual treatments in reducing oxidative stress, infla
69RC-1001multiple0.405cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successRC-1001 shows partial_success on DYSTROPHIN (preclinical). RC-1001 PPMO treatment showed dose-independent improvements in respiratory function with dystrophin restoration and reduced inflammation in respirator
70melatonin (MLT)multiple0.405cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successmelatonin (MLT) shows partial_success on IGF-1 SIGNALING PATHWAY (preclinical). Melatonin at 5 and 10 mg/kg doses dose-dependently mitigated MEME-induced neurotoxicity, improved motor function, and activated IGF-1 signaling in a r
71MK-8722multiple0.405cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successMK-8722 shows partial_success on AMPK (preclinical). Direct AMPK activation via MK-8722 safely improves muscle function, mitochondrial health, and reduces dystrophic pathology in a mutation-independent m
72baricitinibmultiple0.405cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successbaricitinib shows partial_success on JAK/STAT PATHWAY (preclinical). Baricitinib identified as component of promising combinatorial therapy with memantine and riluzole for SALS in iPSC model.
73memantinemultiple0.405cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successmemantine shows partial_success on NMDA RECEPTOR (preclinical). Memantine identified as component of promising combinatorial therapy with baricitinib and riluzole for SALS in iPSC model.
74IMD-0354multiple0.405cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successIMD-0354 shows partial_success on NF-ΚB/IRF5 PATHWAY (preclinical). Absence of IRF5 expression in macrophages significantly amplifies the neuroprotective efficacy of IMD-0354 against TDP-25-induced neurodegeneration, s
75edaravone (EDR)multiple0.390cross diseasepreclinicalpartial successedaravone (EDR) shows partial_success on OXIDATIVE STRESS/ANTIOXIDANT (preclinical). Edaravone alone showed neuroprotective effects; combination with melatonin exhibited synergistic effects exceeding individual treatment efficacy.
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