Seaside Therapeutics has joined hands with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center to discover and develop small molecules targeting neurologic receptors implicated in Fragile X syndrome, autism and other brain development disorders. If successful, this collaboration takes science and medicine one step closer toward treating typical hallmark symptoms of autism-such as learning and memory problems and obsessive-compulsive behavior-with a new drug.

"Fragile X, caused by a mutation on the X chromosome, is the most frequent inherited cause of mental retardation and an identified cause of autism," says Dr. Randall L. Carpenter, president and CEO of Seaside Therapeutics. "Our focus on identifying the molecular pathophysiology of single-gene disorders associated with autism has provided insights for developing targeted therapeutics with the potential to correct or fundamentally alter the course of brain development and function."

Read More: Fragile hope for brain disorders