NeuroVive in brief

NeuroVive Pharmaceutical AB was founded in 2000 as a subsidiary of Maas Biolab, LLC (founded in 1997) with the aim of commercializing work on developing cyclosporine-based drugs for acute conditions and illnesses affecting the brain and central nervous system (CNS). NeuroVive went public in 2008 with an IPO on the Swedish AktieTorget exchange.

History

While researching cell transplantation in 1993–1994, Eskil Elmér and his colleagues made an unexpected discovery. The experiment itself was unsuccessful, but the researchers discovered that cyclosporine-A acted as a powerful nerve-cell protectant when it crossed the blood–brain barrier. This discovery marked the start of basic research in the field. The scientific work publishing the first findings has since been cited more than 160 times.

Fundamental research on cyclosporine has been underway continuously since 1993, and a number of independent international teams of researchers have confirmed, through peer-reviewed published studies on animals, that cyclosporin-A provides powerful protection for nerve cells in cases of traumatic brain damage, stroke, and brain damage during cardiac arrest. In addition, small-group studies of cyclosporine in humans have found significant benefit in reducing reperfusion injury during heart attacks. Two company products (NeuroSTAT® for TBI and CicloMulsion® for reperfusion injury) are now fully developed. The next milestone is the successful completion of clinical trials in humans with TBI and reperfusion injury. These trials are now underway.

Business model

NeuroVive’s core business is the research and development of pharmaceuticals that protect nerve and heart cells. The company is conducting or supporting clinical trials of NeuroSTAT® and CicloMulsion® in humans, carrying out advanced research and development of new variants of cyclophilin-D-inhibiting cyclosporines, and examining ways of transporting these drugs across the blood–brain barrier to the central nervous system.

NeuroVive intends to license its products to major pharmaceutical company partners for registration and marketing. The company expects to derive income from a combination of fixed payments and ongoing royalty income from partner sales of NeuroVive-licenced products.