TCH Pharmaceuticals

TCH Pharmaceuticals was a biotechnology company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Co-founded by Dr. Jetze Tepe of Michigan State University, the company leveraged research into proteasome activation and NF-κB inhibition to address protein-misfolding disorders and inflammatory conditions. Its lead programs included TCH-101 for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and various imidazoline-based inhibitors for oncology and immunology. Although the company received early-stage funding and grants from Michigan-based economic development programs, it ceased operations in the early 2010s. The foundational research and leadership eventually transitioned to subsequent ventures, including Portera Therapeutics, which was founded in 2021 to continue the development of proteasome activators.