Israeli Nasal Drops Enable Paralyzed Rats to Walk Again
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Israeli startup NurExone has developed a nasal drop treatment called ExoPTEN that enables paralyzed rats with spinal cord injuries to walk again by inhibiting a protein that blocks nerve regeneration. The treatment uses exosomes to deliver a specific RNA fragment to the injury site. Following successful trials in rats, the company plans to seek approval for human clinical trials in the first half of 2027, initially focusing on spinal cord injuries and later on optic and facial nerves.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli startup NurExone developed nasal drops that helped paralyzed rats walk again.
- The treatment, ExoPTEN, uses exosomes to deliver RNA that inhibits a protein blocking nerve regeneration.
- Rats with severed spinal cords regained walking ability after receiving the nasal drops.
- The drug has received orphan drug status for spinal cord injuries in the US and EU.
- NurExone plans to apply for human clinical trials in the first half of 2027.
Israeli startup NurExone has developed a molecule that removes the 'brake' on nerve growth, enabling paralyzed rats with spinal cord injuries to walk again. The company utilizes exosomes, tiny vesicles carrying proteins and RNA molecules, derived from stem cells as a drug delivery system. According to Lior Shaltiel, the head of NurExone, these exosomes act like Amazon packages, delivering beneficial components to damaged tissue along with the company's specific therapeutic payload. This payload is a short interfering RNA (siRNA) fragment designed to suppress the production of PTEN protein. While PTEN normally acts as a cellular 'policeman,' inhibiting cell growth to prevent cancer, it also hinders the regeneration of mature neurons after injury, preventing severed spinal cords or optic nerves from regrowing. NurExone's drug, ExoPTEN, temporarily and locally removes this inhibitory effect. Rats with completely severed spinal cords regained the ability to walk after treatment administered as nasal drops, with particles reaching the injury site. Partial recovery was also observed in cases of severe optic nerve damage. The primary focus for NurExone is acute spinal cord injury, for which ExoPTEN has received orphan drug status in the US and EU, granting development incentives. Future targets include the regeneration of optic and facial nerves. Human clinical trials have not yet begun, but NurExone aims to submit an application for trials in the first half of 2027.