Neuren Pharmaceuticals Limited

Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX: NEU) is developing new therapies for debilitating neurodevelopmental disorders that are characterised by impaired connections and signalling between brain cells.

Neuren’s lead product trofinetide (also known as NNZ-2566) is licensed to ACADIA Pharmaceuticals for North America, with Neuren retaining all rights outside North America. A Phase 3 trial in Rett syndrome (“Lavender”) commenced in October 2019. Neuren conducted double-blind placebo-controlled Phase 2 trials in Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, which demonstrated clinical benefit from treatment with trofinetide. Neuren’s second drug candidate NNZ-2591 has shown positive effects in mouse models of Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Angelman syndrome and Pitt Hopkins syndrome. Neuren has commenced a Phase 1 clinical trial and plans to initiate Phase 2 trials in 2021.

Currently there are no drugs approved for these conditions and there are few drugs in clinical development. Some drugs that are approved for other indications are also used to treat selected symptoms, but none are more than modestly effective and none are disease-modifying. Trofinetide and NNZ-2591 provide an opportunity potentially to be the first approved therapy for one or more of these important indications.

Because these are serious medical conditions with unmet need, drugs being developed to treat them may qualify for favourable regulatory pathways intended to expedite the development and approval of therapeutically important drugs. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for trofinetide in Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. Fast Track designation provides for early and frequent communication with the FDA, ensuring that questions and issues are resolved quickly to minimise any potential impact on the progress of development. The FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have both granted orphan drug designation for trofinetide in Fragile X syndrome and in Rett syndrome. The FDA has granted Orphan Drug designation for NNZ-2591 in each of Phelan-McDermid, Angelman and Pitt Hopkins syndromes. Orphan drug designation is a special status that the regulatory authorities may grant to a drug to treat a rare disease or condition. Orphan drug designation qualifies the sponsor of the drug for seven years of marketing exclusivity in the United States and ten years in the Europe Union following approval, as well as other development incentives.

Triofinetide and NNZ-2591 are covered by issued patents, with additional patent applications pending. All patents are owned by Neuren and no royalties are payable to third parties.