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CuroNZ News

CuroNZ is pleased to report high level pre-clinical results achieved in patient dog studies in collaboration with Dr Roger Clemmons, Associate professor of Neurology for animals at the University of Florida.  He has applied intra-muscular NRP injections to several patient dogs suffering from spinal cord injury, eye diseases and the dog equivalent of progressive Multiple Sclerosis (degenerative myelopathy). 

We have uploaded a video of ‘Buc’ the dog who has spinal cord injury and the dog equivalent of retinitis pigmentosa, the video shows before and after NRP walking, gait and movement.  Click to view Video. 

Since having NRP injections Buc's eyesight has not deteriorated as would normally be expected in this timeframe and as you can see on the video his gait and walking is much improved.

Initial Discovery

  1. The first family member of the Neural Regeneration Peptides (NRPs) was discovered by Dr Frank Sieg during an in vitro screening effort using rat central nervous system (CNS) tissue aimed at the identification of novel neuronal migration inducing factors.
    1. Successful purification to homogeneity of the newly identified compound, named NRP, confirmed that the factor is a small peptide secreted by cells located within the central nervous system.
    2. Apart from the induction of neuronal migration, neuronal cell-dividing stimulating properties as well as neuronal differentiation and survival-promoting activities could be contributed to this exciting new molecule.
  2. Bioinformatic-based searches for similar genes occurring within the human genome revealed various gene sequences with domain homology to the initially identified rat NRP.
NRP forming new neuronal tissue

Diagram showing thalamic CNS neurons expressing the calcium binding protein parvalbumin(green) are migrating and forming new neuronal tissue (red) 24-48hrs after contact with NRPs.
Arrows indicate double-localization of both thalamus-typical proteins, parvalbumin (green) and MAP-2 (red) are neuronal protein markers.

Pre-clinical Development Completed to Date

  1. Synthesis of small length peptide mimetics with optimized activities regarding peptide stability and activity led to the selection of the current lead compound.
  2. Successful selection of the lead with superior physico-chemical stability with preserved potency and bioactivity.
  3. Successful formulation of lead compound regarding stability as well as suitability for peripheral administration routes.DNA Gel
  4. The selected lead compound has to date shown highly effective therapeutic pharmacodynamic activities within animal models mimicking Motorneurone Disease and peripheral neuropathy.
  5. Moreover, NRP compounds have shown preferential activities in Multiple Sclerosis and stroke animal models.

Pre-Clinical Development to be Completed

  1. Development of pharmacokinetic assay
  2. Pharmacokinetic to be performed according to GLP standards
  3. Toxicology performed according to GLP standards