https://www.bioworld.com/rss en-us JW Pharmaceutical Corp. has presented data on DDC-02 across animal models of several rare neurodevelopmental disorders, including Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, fragile X syndrome and Rett syndrome. Across these models, DDC-02 consistently restored deficits in cognitive and behavioral function. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731854 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731854-jw-pharmaceuticals-ddc-02-improves-cognitive-function Silhouette of child and brain Scenic Biotech BV has joined The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange (LITE) program to explore the therapeutic potential of its PLA2G15 inhibitor program in Parkinson’s disease, including in patients carrying LRRK2 mutations. LRRK2 mutations.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731834 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731834-scenic-biotech-joins-mjff-lite-program-to-expand-pla2g15-research Brain as light bulb filament Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used in diabetes and obesity, could alleviate depression through a pathway that does not depend on the GLP-1 receptor but instead on the gut microbiota, since the treatment increases the presence of the bacterium Lactobacillus delbrueckii. This symbiotic microorganism produces a lipid that modulates neuronal activity, normalizing the hyperactivation of brain regions in mice involved in emotional processing, which ultimately reduces depressive behaviors. Lactobacillus delbrueckii. This symbiotic microorganism produces a lipid that modulates neuronal activity, normalizing the hyperactivation of brain regions in mice involved in emotional processing, which ultimately reduces depressive behaviors.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731833 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731833-microbiota-modulates-the-antidepressant-effects-of-glp-1-analogues Illustration of Lactobacillus Lactobacillus Two companies with European ties signed billion-dollar deals with large pharma firms in the last two days to discover and develop molecular glue drugs, as well as to advance a preclinical Alzheimer’s disease prospect. For both companies, the up-front payments are relatively small, only $10 million for Alzecure Pharma AB, and just $40 million for Orionis Biosciences Inc. But it’s the back-end milestone amounts that are headline-grabbing. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731722 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731722-europes-alzecure-orionis-in-1b-deals-with-lilly-novartis Purple molecules Investors in Dianthus Therapeutics Inc. apparently chose to ignore subtleties in the difference between efforts with that firm’s claseprubart vs. those by competitor Sanofi SA, which said that the phase III Mobilize study testing riliprubart in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) will be stopped for futility. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731720 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731720-sanofi-phase-iii-cidp-quit-dents-dianthus-c1-mismatch 3D illustration of a nerve cell Jiangsu Nhwa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has disclosed κ-opioid receptor antagonists that are potentially useful for the treatment of neurological disorders. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731791 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731791-jiangsu-nhwa-pharmaceutical-patents-new-opioid-receptor-antagonists Researchers from Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Hansoh Biomedical Co. Ltd. have disclosed tricyclic compounds acting as 5-HT2C receptor agonists reported to be potentially useful for the treatment of mood disorders. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731773 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731773-new-5-ht2c-receptor-agonists-reported-in-hansoh-patent Harness Therapeutics Ltd. has been awarded a grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to advance its Parkinson’s disease program targeting glucocerebrosidase (GCase) and lysosomal integral membrane protein-2 (LIMP2) in GBA1-Parkinson’s disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731765 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731765-grant-supports-harness-therapeutics-parkinsons-disease-program Illustration depicting symptoms of Parkinson’s disease Gen1e Lifesciences Inc. has obtained both orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations from the U.S. FDA for GEn-1123 for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731763 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731763-gen1e-lifesciences-receives-us-fda-designations-for-gen-1123 Art concept for inflamed human tissue Flobiotech GmbH has signed an agreement with UCLA Health to advance a novel class of therapeutics targeting biologically validated protective pathways in neurodegeneration. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731759 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731759-flobiotech-and-ucla-health-partner-in-neurodegeneration Photo of researchers shaking hands Building on its partnerships with Gilead Sciences Inc., Sanofi SA and Pfizer Inc., Nurix Therapeutics Inc. brought on Roche Holding AG to help develop bexobrutideg, an oral degrader of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). “I really can’t think of a better partner to maximize the opportunity for bexobrutideg to a wide range of patients,” Jason Kantor, Nurix’s chief business officer, told investors on a conference call, later pointing out that Roche has multiple drugs targeting B cells. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731690 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731690-nurix-signs-4th-and-largest-partnership-to-develop-btk-degrader Gold chain link engraved with "partnership" New York University has discovered new analogues of mannose-6-phosphate reported to be potentially useful for the treatment of memory impairment, neurodegeneration and neurodevelopmental disorders, among others. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731685 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731685-new-york-university-identifies-new-analogues-of-mannose-6-phosphate Arvinas Inc. has joined the LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutics Exchange (LITE) program and the Parkinson’s Precision Medicine Initiative (PPMI), both supported by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731673 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731673-arvinas-joins-mjff-initiatives-to-advance-lrrk2-research Art concept for targeting the brain The BioWorld Neurological Diseases Index (BNDI) ended May up 12.29% for the year, outpacing both the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (up 4.95%) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (up 6.18%), a reversal from 2025 when the BNDI trailed both broader benchmarks. BioWorld Neurological Diseases Index (BNDI) ended May up 12.29% for the year, outpacing both the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (up 4.95%) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (up 6.18%), a reversal from 2025 when the BNDI trailed both broader benchmarks.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731621 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731621-neuro-stocks-outpace-broader-markets-as-psychedelics-axsome-shine Brain and financial charts Achieving high marks in the phase II Amplify-BD trial for bipolar I and II depression, Autobahn Therapeutics Inc.’s elunetirom, a brain-penetrant central nervous system thyroid hormone receptor agonist, or thyromimetic, is moving toward a registrational path and a clinical readout in major depressive disorder. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731618 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731618-autobahn-on-the-fast-track-with-bipolar-thyroid-agonist Woman taking medication for mental illness Bial-Portela & Ca SA has patented new orexin OX1 receptor antagonists potentially useful for the treatment of anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, obesity, sleep disorders, post-traumatic stress, substance abuse and dependence, among others. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731665 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731665-bial-portela-discovers-new-ox1-receptor-antagonists Idefine, The Kleefstra Syndrome Foundation, has established a collaboration with UT Southwestern Medical Center to advance development of a potential gene therapy to treat Kleefstra syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by changes or loss of the EHMT1 gene, which plays a critical role in brain development and function. EHMT1 gene, which plays a critical role in brain development and function.]]> http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731656 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731656-idefine-announces-kleefstra-syndrome-gene-therapy-collaboration DNA illustration Changchun Genescience Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has discovered new ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 30 (USP30) inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of mitochondrial and Parkinson’s disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731609 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731609-changchun-genescience-identifies-new-usp30-inhibitors Montara Therapeutics Inc. has been awarded a research grant of approximately $1 million from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to advance a Brainonly therapy targeting mTOR for Parkinson’s disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731595 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731595-mjff-awards-grant-to-montara-therapeutics-mtor-program Parkinson's disease illustration showing neurons containing alpha-synuclein Janssen Pharmaceutica NV has identified new endosomal/lysosomal proton channel TMEM175 activators that are potentially useful for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731588 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731588-janssen-pharmaceutica-reports-new-tmem175-activators Lysoway Therapeutics Inc. has been awarded an additional research grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to support development of its TMEM175 agonist program for Parkinson’s disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731583 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731583-mjff-grants-supports-lysoways-tmem175-agonist-program Doctor with brain illustration, businessman with dollar sign illustration Voyager Therapeutics Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for VY-1706, the company’s investigational gene therapy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731578 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731578-voyagers-tau-targeted-gene-therapy-vy-1706-gains-ind-approval Tau neuron illustration Tau protein accumulating on neuron. Credit: Kenneth S. Kosik, University of California - Santa Barbara Edgewise Therapeutics Inc. is pulling in $1.55 billion up front by selling its muscular dystrophy business, including its fast skeletal myosin inhibitor, sevasemten (EDG-5506), to Servier SA. The deal is potentially worth up to $2.65 billion when including a potential $1.1 billion in milestone payments. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731512 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731512-edgewise-sells-muscular-dystrophy-assets-to-servier-for-265b Purple pie chart Sharp Therapeutics Corp. has reported new preclinical data supporting its novel therapeutic approach for Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731495 Fri, 29 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731495-sharp-therapeutics-identifies-lead-chemical-series-for-niemann-pick-disease Lab glassware and scientist The FDA has accepted the IND application from Rest Therapeutics SAS for RST-101, the company’s lead investigational candidate for the early treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731494 Fri, 29 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731494-fda-accepts-ind-for-rest-therapeutics-early-ptsd-candidate PTSD chalk silhouette, man holding head Recent findings are reshaping current understanding of the post-infection landscape of SARS-CoV-2. Although previous studies had already suggested that autoimmunity might underlie the persistent neurological symptoms seen in long COVID, researchers at Yale University and Mount Sinai now reinforce this hypothesis. SARS-CoV-2 infection appears to trigger an autoimmune mechanism that drives chronic pain, fatigue and cognitive impairment in some patients. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731473 Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731473-new-evidence-links-autoimmunity-to-long-covid-symptoms Illustration of antibodies and viral infection The “deep dive” April 8 by Ovid Therapeutics Inc. into potassium-chloride co-transporter 2 (KCC2) research included company officials and independent experts in the space, where a handful of drug developers are known to be working. New York-based Ovid owns a portfolio of potential first-in-class direct activators of KCC2, and the firm detailed pharmacodynamic results along with the translational and clinical development strategy. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731420 Wed, 27 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731420-will-ovids-golden-age-of-kcc2-metamorph-cns Digital brain and silhouette Medtronic plc is strengthening its pain management portfolio with its $650 million move to buy SPR Therapeutics Inc. and bring the company’s peripheral nerve stimulation system for sustained pain relief into its neuromodulation offering. The deal marks Medtronic’s third tuck-in deal so far this year, following its $585 million purchase of Cathworks Ltd. and $550 million acquisition of Scientia Vascular Inc., and is also a sign of the momentum in M&A activity in the medtech sector with other players making strategic acquisitions. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731402 Tue, 26 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731402-medtronic-bolsters-pain-portfolio-in-650m-spr-therapeutics-buy SPR Therapeutic Inc.’s Sprint PNS system Sprint PNS system. Credit: SPR Therapeutics Inc. Cavalon Therapeutics Inc. and Northwestern University have disclosed new voltage-gated calcium channel Cav1.3 blockers potentially useful for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and aldosteronism. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731282 Tue, 26 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731282-cavalon-therapeutics-and-northwestern-patent-new-cav13-blockers AAV-based therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have shown efficacy, but have limitations such as poor delivery to target tissues and toxicity associated with the vector. Gemma Biotherapeutics Inc. has developed a gene therapy candidate, GB-703, which uses a new myotropic, integrin-binding AAV capsid containing a codon-optimized, deimmunized hybrid payload. http://www.bioworld.com/articles/731275 Tue, 26 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.bioworld.com/articles/731275-gemma-biotherapeutics-gb-703-shows-promise-for-dmd Illustration of DNA double helix and motorized wheel chair