By Brad Sorensen, CFA, Zacks Research.
NurExone Biologic (TSXV:NRX; OTCQB:NRXBF) is developing a product known as ExoPTEN that is designed to treat patients with acute spinal cord injuries, while also conducting preclinical tests for other conditions that ExoPTEN may be able to treat. On that latter point, the company recently announced some preclinical test results that have the potential to benefit thousands of patients and increase the value of NRXBF to investors.
Company management announced additional significant findings from an expanded study of ExoPTEN for repairing optic nerve damage. Using a rodent model of optic nerve crush to simulate damage associated with conditions such as glaucoma. Analysis of the data showed clear recovery of signal transmission in treated eyes compared to untreated controls, which showed no significant response.
According to the company, the study also showed significantly enhanced the survival of retinal ganglion cells, which are key neurons responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain.
We were also encouraged to hear comments from the lead investigator at the Goldschleger Eye Institute, part of a top hospital the company is collaborating with, when Dr. Ifat Sher said, “the results from this expanded study are extremely encouraging. ExoPTEN demonstrates potential as a treatment that restores functionality and offers neuroprotection. The study shows clear signal recovery, healthier optic nerve structures and preserved retinal ganglion cells. These results suggest that ExoPTEN could fundamentally change how we approach conditions like glaucoma and optic nerve trauma.”
With a market size of approximately $5.5 billion currently, based on estimates cited by the company, and a projected growth rate of over 8% annually, the potential for this treatment is extensive and is an exciting addition to the company’s portfolio.
As a reminder, the company also recently announced that its ExoPTEN therapy has received the Orphan Medicinal Product Designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). According to the company, the EMA’s Orphan Medicinal Product Designation offers incentives, including ten years of market exclusivity upon approval, access to grants and incentives from the European Commission and member states. Additionally, the company may benefit from free or reduced-cost scientific advice and assistance with clinical trial design, which can streamline the regulatory process and reduce development costs. Lastly, some European Union countries also provide tax credits and other financial incentives to support orphan drug development.
As we’ve noted before, the company received the Orphan Drug Designation for ExoPTEN in 2023 from the FDA in the United States. This designation was created by the FDA which noted that supporting the development and evaluation of new treatments for rare diseases is a key priority for the agency. The FDA has authority to grant orphan drug designation to a drug or biological product to prevent, diagnose or treat a rare disease or condition. Orphan drug designation qualifies sponsors for incentives including:
- Tax credits for qualified clinical trials
- Exemption from user fees
- Potential seven years of market exclusivity after approval
As a reminder, it was earlier test results from the use of ExoPTEN that sparked our enthusiasm for the company, because the initial test results are, in our view, truly remarkable. This isn’t a potential treatment that was arrived at quickly or easily as research began at the University level and was conducted between January 2017 and May 2020, including testing the use of intranasal administration of exosomes driven from mesenchymal stem cells loaded with siRNA (a process that is described in more detail below). Testing targeted a complete spinal cord transection in rats, which is the strictest animal testing model, successfully demonstrating significant functional recovery. The company notes that the technology is successfully proven in additional preclinical studies, demonstrating that intranasal administration of ExoPTEN led to significant motor improvement, sensory recovery, and faster urinary reflex restoration. As mentioned, the research began at the University level and the Company has been granted an exclusive worldwide license from the Technion and Tel Aviv University, which includes a patent application, to develop and commercialize the technology. In addition, the Company has developed its own intellectual property and now has five families of patents.
We continue to be enthusiastic about the prospect for NurExone and this recent announcement supports that enthusiasm. We urge investors with a higher risk tolerance to take a look at NRXBF and consider whether this compelling story may be of interest.
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