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CuroNZ News

CuroNZ is currently in search of additional funding to enable completion of  the preclinical phase of drug development for NRPs, with the particular initial targets being Multiple Sclerosis and Motoneurone Disease (ALS).

Since these diseases have few effective treatments, drugs which have potential for the disease are eligible to be  granted Orphan Drug Status by the FDA.

If granted, Orphan Drug status has many benefits including significantly reducing the time and cost of a drug's clinical development.

The other FDA Orphan Drug incentives are significant and include grant money, tax rebates, 7 year market exclusivity of the drug and assistance with the clinical development strategy.

Neural Regeneration Peptides (NRPs)

The NRPs represent a newly discovered and protected gene family encoding proteins with highly bioactive and drugable short stretches of amino acids.

Cell bridge formation

Diagram showing Cell Bridge Formation

Prior to contact with NRPs both tissues (cortex and thalamus) were completely separated from each other.

This photo was taken after NRP treatment and it shows a cell-bridge representing a neural circuit (circled) is formed within 24-48 hrs by NRP action.

The unique properties of NRPs include:

  • Initiation of neuronal proliferation and migration (also called neurogenesis)
  • Promotion of cellular differentiation (including outgrowth of electrically active nerve fibres)
  • Cellular survival-enhancing pharmacodynamic activity

Multiple intracellular pathways are activated by the NRPs including the MAP kinase pathway and Akt kinase pathway regulating proliferation, migration and survival.

Click on the following aspects of the NRP drug platform to read more: