Neuralstem Receives Patent For Neuron Growth Compounds

Neuralstem has received a patent allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for several compounds that can help grow new neurons.

Patent application 12/049,922, entitled Use of Fused Nicotinamides to Promote Neurogenesis, claims four chemical entities and any pharmaceutical composition including them.

The patent discloses potent activities by these chemicals to boost the generation of new neurons from human neural stem cells in-vitro as well as from the hippocampus of normal adult rodent brains. The patent further discloses that these chemicals may be useful in treating a number of major central nervous system (CNS) diseases including depression, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and traumatic brain injury, among others.

Richard Garr, President and CEO, Neuralstem, said: We are extremely pleased and proud to be getting this patent coverage, the ability to promote neurogenesis-the birth of new neurons in the adult brain-has recently been a focus of intense research by scientists and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

These four compounds, with potent demonstrated neurogenic activity, are first-in-class compounds, were discovered entirely in-house and are owned by the Company. These are the only drugs we are aware of with the demonstrated ability to stimulate neurogenesis of normal adult brain cells, which indicates that they are truly neurogenic, he added.

Neuralstem expects to begin safety trials for treatment of major depression early next year.