Marinus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:MRNS) (NASDAQ:MRNS) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for rare and severe seizure disorders. Since its founding in 2006 and headquarters in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Marinus has centered its research around neuroactive steroids, with ganaxolone as its lead asset. Ganaxolone is being evaluated across multiple indications, including refractory status epilepticus, CDKL5 deficiency disorder, PCDH19-related epilepsy, and postpartum depression, reflecting the company’s commitment to addressing high unmet medical needs in neurological diseases.
Ganaxolone, a synthetic analog of the endogenous neurosteroid allopregnanolone, modulates GABAA receptors to restore inhibitory tone in the central nervous system. Following successful clinical trials demonstrating tolerability and seizure‐reducing effects, Marinus submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for ganaxolone in specific rare epilepsy indications. The company’s development strategy emphasizes both pediatric and adult patient populations, with regulatory interactions ongoing in the United States and Europe.
In addition to its lead program, Marinus maintains a broad preclinical pipeline exploring other neurosteroid-based candidates for indications such as major depressive disorder and neurodegenerative conditions. Collaboration agreements and investigator-sponsored studies extend Marinus’s reach into academic centers and specialty clinics across North America and Europe, supporting both clinical execution and mechanistic research.
Leadership at Marinus is headed by President and Chief Executive Officer Scott C. Struthers, Ph.D., who has over 25 years of experience in neuroscience drug development. Under his guidance, the company has built a team of professionals with expertise in clinical operations, regulatory affairs, and commercial planning. Marinus’s mission remains focused on translating its neuroactive steroid platform into new therapeutic options, with the goal of improving the quality of life for patients affected by serious neurological disorders.
