Nova Pharmaceutical Corp. has received a Phase I smallbusiness innovation research grant to assess the therapeuticpotential of certain of its proprietary compounds in thetreatment of stroke and epilepsy.

The $50,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health willsupport further characterization of the Nova compounds thatblock receptors for kainate and AMPA in the nervous system.The receptors have been implicated in the two widespreadneurologic disorders.

The Baltimore-based company (NASDAQ:NOVX) has identifiedcompounds that block the receptors, which receive messagesfrom excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters, and is workingto synthesize additional blockers.

Nova has applied for patents on the compounds.

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