Discovering Effective Treatments & A Cure for Fragile X Syndrome

Your support enables FRAXA Research Foundation to fund groundbreaking research and life-changing clinical trials.

A young man with Fragile X syndrome smiling while sitting on the floor at home.

How Does FRAXA Help?

FRAXA’s mission is to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure for Fragile X syndrome. We directly fund research grants and fellowships at top universities around the world. We partner with biomedical and pharmaceutical companies, large and small, to bridge the gap between research discoveries and actual treatments.

Every member of our staff and Board of Directors is a parent of one or more children with Fragile X, making our commitment to this cause deeply personal.

Treatments for Fragile X are likely to help people affected by autism, Alzheimer’s, and other brain disorders.

What is Fragile X Syndrome?

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited cause of autism and intellectual disabilities. It affects 1 in 4,000 boys and 1 in 8,000 girls worldwide.

Fragile X syndrome occurs when a single gene on the X chromosome shuts down. This gene makes a protein needed for normal brain development. In FXS it does not work properly, the protein is not made, and the brain does not develop as it should.

Symptoms of Fragile X syndrome can include developmental delays, social anxiety, and learning disabilities, which vary between individuals.

The Latest from FRAXA

Laura Cancedda, PhD, principal investigator at the Italian Institute of Technology

Advanced Preclinical Testing of NKCC1 Inhibitors Supporting Phase 2 Trials in Fragile X

December 4, 2025

The project evaluates a next-generation NKCC1 inhibitor, studying its safety and effects on brain signaling to determine its potential to progress into Phase 2 clinical trials.

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Dr. Gary Feldman, Principal Investigator for the MRM-3379 Phase 2 clinical trial at the Irvine, California site, standing with an individual with Fragile X syndrome.

Recruiting: Mirum Launches Clinical Trial of MRM-3379 for Fragile X Syndrome

December 1, 2025

Mirum’s MRM-3379 Phase 2 trial builds on FRAXA-funded PDE4D research and is now enrolling males ages 13–45 with Fragile X syndrome. View eligibility and study sites.

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FRAXA Research Foundation Joins COMBINEDBrain Consortium for Fragile X Biomarker Research

December 1, 2025

Help accelerate research on Fragile X syndrome biomarkers by contributing samples to the COMBINEDBrain Consortium’s project.

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FRAXA's Impact to Date

FRAXA's Interactive Fragile X Timeline

Explore 30 years of outstanding Fragile X research.

$38.3M

Direct Investment in Fragile X Research

50

Teams Actively Researching Fragile X Syndrome

34

Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Partners

693

Fragile X Research Grants Awarded