Neuren Pharmaceuticals

Neuronal (or nerve cell) rescue involves the use of a therapeutic agent to prevent disease or injury of parts of the nervous system that may be under threat. Neuronal rescue represents a major opportunity for the development of new therapies. In the past, the treatment of neurological disorders has been targeted at symptoms; however, as the understanding of brain injury has increased, new approaches to treatment are emerging.

The first phase of brain cell death (primary necrosis) is at the time of injury and is immediate. The second phase of secondary necrosis occurs over hours or days by a process called programmed cell death or ‘apoptosis’. During this phase, there is the possibility of rescuing cells that would otherwise die.

Neuren's technology portfolio is based on a combination of two important
components:

The self-protective molecules produced by the brain in response to injury of the nervous system
The critical period of hours to days over which damaged nerves slowly die, but may be rescued by appropriate therapeutic intervention.

Neuren’s scientists were among the first to discover and then apply knowledge of these components as the basis for drug design.

The compounds under development by Neuren have application to acute brain injuries such as those associated with stroke, cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and traumatic brain injury as well as to chronic neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

Progressive neuronal loss is a feature of chronic neurodegenerative diseases, which appear to resemble the acute diseases in many respects. Neuren believes that chronic therapy with its small molecule compounds is likely to slow the progress and decrease the symptoms of these diseases.

Motiva™ (nefiracetam)
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NNZ-2566
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NNZ-2591
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Neurosciences Program