Pre-clinical studies are ongoing in animal models of spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathy, ALS and other diseases. The results from the current pre-clinical studies will determine whether or not NeotrofinT will enter clinical trials in one or more of these indications. This patent represents new step treatment of neurodegenerative diseases utilizing oral medication to replace or augment the presence of neurotrophic factors in the brain and spinal cord. In each area, the factors it induces are those naturally needed by the nerve cells in that region. AIT-082 is the first drug in human clinical trials, which acts by regulating the production of the naturally occurring neurotrophic growth factors.
Neurotrophic factors are essential for the growth, maturation and survival of nerve cells.
When present in appropriate concentrations, these factors also protect nerve cells against damage in stroke, trauma, and many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. These factors are not produced by the nervous system in sufficient quantities to be fully effective in those conditions, and, because neurotrophic factors are proteins, they cannot be orally administered. These problems are circumvented by NeoTherapeutics' orally active purine derivative that controls the genetic expression of neurotrophic factors in the nervous system to treat neurodegenerative diseases. NeoTherapeutics' research program is focused on designing and developing small molecules capable of promoting nerve regeneration and repair for a range of neurological diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, stroke and spinal cord injury. Untitled The information contained on this web site may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authorization of The ALS Association.