BioWorld Science - Articles

Neurology/Psychiatric

FDA clears IND for Jaguar’s JAG-201 for genetic form of ASD and Phelan-McDermid syndrome

Feb. 1, 2024

Jaguar Gene Therapy LLC’s IND application for JAG-201, a gene therapy for a genetic form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS; 22q13.3 deletion syndrome), has been cleared by the FDA.

Endocrine/Metabolic

Funding to advance Vivet’s gene therapy for cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

Feb. 1, 2024

Vivet Therapeutics SAS has been awarded financing of €4.9 million (US$5.3 million) from the French government to advance the development of a gene therapy for the treatment of the neurodegenerative disease cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX).

Neurology/Psychiatric

Natural product counteracts perioperative neurocognitive disorder

Feb. 1, 2024

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs) refer to a variety of cognitive abnormalities mainly experienced by elderly patients after anesthesia procedures and include cognitive impairment and disorientation linked to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a neurotrophic hormone that regulates microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, may represent a therapeutic target in this context.

Neurology/Psychiatric

Vect-Horus signs license agreement with Ionis to support work in neurological disease

Jan. 31, 2024

Vect-Horus SAS has entered into a license agreement providing Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc. with a worldwide, exclusive license for a specified number of targets using Vect-Horus’ platform technology Vectrans for systemic delivery of RNA-targeted therapeutics that can cross the blood-brain barrier and address targets in the central nervous system.

Neurology/Psychiatric

Vaxxinity and University of Florida collaborate on research supporting neurodegenerative disease immunotherapies

Jan. 31, 2024

Vaxxinity Inc. has announced a research collaboration with the University of Florida’s (UF) Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CTRND) to support its work on the development of vaccines for neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurology/Psychiatric

Kv2.1 inhibitor with promising anticerebral ischemia activity in rats

Jan. 31, 2024

Researchers from Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College have discovered novel selective Kv2.1 inhibitors as potential therapeutic candidates for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Neurology/Psychiatric

NIH and DoD grants support Acurastem’s work in ALS and FTD

Jan. 31, 2024

Acurastem Inc. has raised nearly $7 million in grant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to advance research in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia.

Neurology/Psychiatric

Ultrarare transmitted Alzheimer’s cases give clues to common forms

Jan. 30, 2024

By Anette Breindl

Investigators have identified five cases of so-called iatrogenic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), that is, AD that was acquired as a result of undergoing medical procedures. A team led by University College London scientists reported their findings online in Nature Medicine on Jan. 29, 2024.

Neurology/Psychiatric

New NMDAR antagonist overcomes ketamine dissociative effects

Jan. 30, 2024

Although esketamine, the S-isomer of ketamine, has been approved for treatment-resistant depression, limitations such as dissociative and sedative effects or poor oral bioavailability restrict its use to parenteral dosing and supervised administration.

Neurology/Psychiatric

Ractigen and University Medical Center Utrecht collaborate on saRNA-based therapeutics for neurodevelopmental disorders

Jan. 30, 2024

Ractigen Therapeutics Co. Ltd. has entered into a formal collaboration with University Medical Center Utrecht, affiliated with Utrecht University, to advance the development of small activating RNA (saRNA)-based treatments for a spectrum of intractable neurodevelopmental disorders.