A number of possible mechanisms have been explored, but there is still no safe, reliable and universally applicable method for delivering drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to treat central nervous system diseases. Now researchers have succeeded in tuning the effect of methamphetamine, a cause of BBB breakdown, enabling brain penetration of small molecules and therapeutic proteins, without damaging the epithelial cells that constitute the main physical element of the barrier.

LONDON – Neuvasq Biotechnologies has launched with a €20 million (US$23.7 million) series A to take forward a new approach to treating neurological disorders by reversing age- or injury-related damage to the blood-brain barrier.