Nura Bio has initiated a Phase I clinical trial evaluating NB-4746, which is being developed as a neuroprotective therapy for various neurologicaldiseases of central, peripheral, and ocular nervous systems.
The placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised, single and multiple ascending dose study intends to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and safety of the oral, brain-penetrant, neuroprotective SARM1 inhibitor NB-4746 in healthy volunteers.
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The lead asset has demonstrated significant structural and functional protection in various preclinical disease models.
They include traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
NB-4746 has also reduced and, in some cases, prevented levels of neurofilament light (NfL), the axonal injury-dependent disease-associated biomarker, in preclinical models.
Nura Bio Development Sciences senior vice-president David Lau said: “We expect to enter clinical trials in a patient population in 2024, to evaluate the impact of NB-4746 on axonal injury and NfL levels.”
Degeneration of axons is indicated as an early hallmark of several neurological diseases and halting this can provide neuroprotection.
Nura Bio chief scientific officer Shilpa Sambashivan said: “With our strong scientific foundation and dedicated team, we are rapidly progressing NB-4746 through early development.
“We also continue advancing additional molecules through our pre-clinical pipeline, with the goal of delivering novel and potentially life-changing neuroprotective medicines.”
