Newron Pharmaceuticals SpA scored €44 million (US$46.26 million) up front in a potential €117 million licensing deal with EA Pharma Co. Ltd. to pad the clinical runway of its late-stage oral schizophrenia asset, evenamide (NW-3509), sending company stock prices up near 20%.

Investigators at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) have unraveled how and why the absence of a neuronal microexon in cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding 4 (CPEB4) gives rise to autism. In 2018, investigators from IRB, co-led by Raúl Méndez, identified the overt correlation between defects in CPEB4 and the onset of autism. However, the previous work did not provide the molecular mechanism explaining the correlation.

Biohaven Ltd.’s BHV-7000, a selective Kv7.2/7.3 potassium channel activator, is in phase II/III development for the treatment of focal epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The company recently presented findings from preclinical testing assessing the candidate’s potential for the treatment of comorbidities associated with epilepsy.

Researchers form Shanghai Zhimeng Biopharma Inc. presented preclinical data for CB-03, a voltage-gated potassium channel-2/3 (Kv7.2/Kv7.3; KCNQ2/3) opener for the treatment of patients with refractory epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders.

Investigators at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) have unraveled how and why the absence of a neuronal microexon in cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding 4 (CPEB4) gives rise to autism. In 2018, investigators from IRB, co-led by Raúl Méndez, identified the overt correlation between defects in CPEB4 and the onset of autism. However, the previous work did not provide the molecular mechanism explaining the correlation.

By the end of November 2024, the BioWorld Neurological Diseases Index had dropped 13.4%, deepening its decline of 9.4% at the end of August. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 19.16% in the first 11 months of the year, building on a 10.81% gain reported at the end of October. The Nasdaq Biotechnology Index posted a year-to-date increase of 6.27% through November, retreating from its peak gain of 11.7% in August.

News that Trevi Therapeutics Inc. got the size just right of the phase IIb Coral trial with Haduvio (oral nalbuphine extended release) led the company’s shares (NASDAQ:TRVI) to close Dec. 12 at $3.60, up $1.11, or 45%, after trading as high as $4.60.