Haifa Startup Develops Exosome Therapy to Restore Movement After Spinal Cord Injuries
Noraxon, a Haifa-based biotech startup founded through a collaboration between Technion and Tel Aviv University researchers, is developing a groundbreaking treatment to help paralyzed patients regain mobility after spinal cord injuries. The company aims to overcome the long-standing medical challenge of repairing the central nervous system, which has traditionally been considered irreparable after damage. CEO Dr. Lior Shaltiel explains that their product targets the protein PTEN, a natural growth inhibitor that prevents nerve regeneration after injury.
Unlike peripheral nerves that can regrow, central nervous system nerves are blocked by proteins like PTEN. Noraxon uses engineered siRNA molecules delivered via exosomes, tiny particles naturally secreted by cells, to temporarily silence PTEN and promote nerve regrowth. These exosomes act like guided missiles, homing in on damaged tissue, reducing inflammation, and releasing therapeutic molecules without invasive surgery.
The technology originated from experiments by Professors Shulamit Levenberg and Danny Offen, who observed paralyzed rats regaining near-normal walking ability after receiving engineered tissue implants. Transitioning to a non-invasive approach, the team demonstrated that nasal administration of exosomes alone could restore mobility in rats. Noraxon produces these exosomes at scale using bioreactors.
Founded in 2020, Noraxon has raised $20 million and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The company is pursuing orphan disease regulatory pathways to accelerate FDA approval. With an estimated 50,000 new spinal injury patients annually in the West and a potential treatment price of $200,000, the market could exceed $1 billion, excluding additional applications like glaucoma treatment.
Currently in advanced preclinical stages, Noraxon plans human clinical trials in Israel and the US by 2027. The vision extends beyond hospitals: Dr. Shaltiel envisions paramedics administering the therapy immediately after injury to prevent nerve cell loss. Professor Levenberg anticipates the treatment becoming standard in emergency rooms to halt deterioration and enable tissue regeneration in spinal injury patients.
