CervoMed’s Merger with EIP Pharma: Paving the Way for Brain Disease Treatments
In a groundbreaking move poised to reshape the landscape of brain disease treatments, CervoMed Inc. (formerly known as Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Inc.) has announced the successful completion of its merger with EIP Pharma Inc. This milestone marks the birth of a dynamic clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to advancing innovative therapies for degenerative diseases. The company’s press release from August 16th, 2023, announced that the merged entity will operate under the name CervoMed. Its shares are set to commence trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the new ticker symbol “CRVO” from August 17, 2023.
A Gateway to New Treatments
CervoMed’s mission revolves around revolutionizing the treatment landscape for brain diseases. The merger between CervoMed and EIP Pharma aims to drive groundbreaking advancements in the realm of brain degenerative disorders. The merger’s primary focus is the development and progression of neflamapimod. Neflamapimod is an oral stress kinase inhibitor that can potentially transform treating conditions such as dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).
A Transformative Vision
John Alam, MD, Chief Executive Officer of CervoMed, highlights the transformative nature of this merger. He states, “The merger with Diffusion, the emergence of CervoMed, and our transition into the public market represent a seismic shift that will catalyze the development of neflamapimod. Initially, our focus will be on DLB, and over the next year, we are poised to tackle Alzheimer’s disease and stroke recovery. The potential of neflamapimod as the first disease-modifying drug therapy for DLB is truly exciting. It promises to halt and reverse the synaptic dysfunction that fuels cognitive and motor function decline in this devastating ailment.”
Advancing Research and Innovation
With the launch of Phase 2b DLB study, RewinD-LB, CervoMed is well on its way to achieving significant milestones. The study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 16-week clinical trial, examines the effects of oral 40mg neflamapimod administered three times daily on patients with prodromal DLB or mild dementia due to DLB. The trial’s design ensures rigorous evaluation, excluding patients with Alzheimer’s disease-related co-pathology, as determined by a blood biomarker. After completing the placebo-controlled study, all participants will receive an additional 32 weeks of open-label neflamapimod treatment.
EIP Pharma’s Vision and Grants
EIP Pharma, a wholly owned subsidiary of CervoMed following the merger, adds significant value to this collaboration. Having been awarded a $21 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging (NIA), EIP Pharma is poised to facilitate the ongoing Phase 2b DLB study’s development costs. The NIA grant reinforces the significance of this research in advancing the treatment landscape for DLB.
Anticipating Key Milestones
Several key milestones are anticipated as CervoMed embarks on its journey to redefine brain disease treatments. These include the publication of additional results from the Phase 2a clinical study in DLB, set to appear in a peer-reviewed medical journal in the second half of 2023. Furthermore, the RewinD-LB Phase 2b clinical study design will be showcased at the prestigious Clinical Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) conference in October 2023. Enrolment into the RewinD-LB Phase 2b clinical study is projected to be completed in the first half of 2024. The data from the placebo-controlled segment is expected to be reported during the second half of the same year.
Neflamapimod: Pioneering Treatment
Neflamapimod, an investigational orally administered small molecule brain penetrant that inhibits p38MAP kinase alpha (p38a), is the flagship candidate in CervoMed’s revolutionary arsenal. Under stress and disease conditions, p38a plays a pivotal role in inflammation-induced synaptic toxicity, leading to synaptic dysfunction. Neflamapimod’s potential extends to treating dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), promising to impact cognition, function, and motor function positively.
CervoMed’s Vision for the Future
CervoMed is committed to advancing CNS-focused therapeutics to address various brain degenerative diseases as a clinical-stage biotech firm. The development of neflamapimod underscores the company’s commitment to innovation, with its potential to address the underlying neurodegenerative processes that trigger DLB and other neurological disorders. A Phase 2b DLB study is underway. It reflects CervoMed’s unwavering dedication to pioneering groundbreaking treatments that can reshape the lives of those living with degenerative brain diseases.
Conclusion
CervoMed’s merger with EIP Pharma marks a significant turning point in the world of brain disease treatments. With a strong commitment to innovation, research, and collaboration, the company is poised to redefine the treatment landscape for degenerative brain disorders—Neflamapimod’s potential to become the first disease-modifying drug therapy for DLB. CervoMed remains dedicated to its mission of creating novel brain medicines that can truly make a difference in patients’ lives.
