About this video

• Video Title: Dr. Adam Rogers, MD - CEO, NervGen Pharma - Innovative Treatments For Nervous System Repair
• Channel: Progress, Potential, and Possibilities
• Speakers: Ira Panister, Dr. Adam Rogers
• Duration: 00:30:21

Overview

This video features a discussion with Dr. Adam Rogers, CEO of NervGen Pharma, about their innovative treatments for nervous system repair. The conversation highlights the company's lead candidate, NVG291, currently in clinical trials for spinal cord injury, and explores the underlying science of nervous system repair, drawing parallels to Dr. Rogers' past work in ophthalmology. They also touch upon the broader applications of NervGen's technology for other neurological conditions.

Key takeaways

• Nervous System Repair Potential: Despite previous medical understanding that central nervous system neurons do not regenerate, research, particularly by the late Dr. Jerry Silver, has shown that regeneration is possible.
• NerveGen's Approach: NervGen Pharma is developing NVG291, a treatment designed to inhibit scar tissue formation (specifically chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans or CSPGs) and the associated inhibitory signals that prevent neuronal regeneration after injury or disease.
• NVG291 Clinical Trial Results: Early clinical trial data for NVG291 in spinal cord injury patients showed statistically significant improvements in upper extremity motor evoked potentials, as well as substantial gains in hand and upper limb function compared to placebo.
• Broader Applications: NervGen's technology, targeting neurotrauma, has potential applications beyond spinal cord injury, including stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and hearing loss, with pre-clinical data supporting these uses.
• Unmet Medical Need: There is a significant unmet medical need for treatments that can improve function for individuals with spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions, as current options are largely limited to stabilization and rehabilitation.

NVG291 works by inhibiting the protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (PTP sigma) receptor. This receptor interacts with chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) in the extracellular matrix of the central nervous system, which form scar tissue. By inhibiting PTP sigma, NVG291 is intended to block these inhibitory signals, allowing neurons to sprout and grow, thus enabling regeneration and repair of the nervous system.

Yes, the drug, NVG291, is designed to help nerves grow through scar tissue. Dr. Silver discovered that chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) in the scar tissue, through interaction with the PTP sigma receptor, inhibit nerve regeneration. NVG291 inhibits the PTP sigma receptor, thereby blocking these inhibitory signals and allowing neurons to sprout and grow through or around the scar tissue.

The transcript mentions lower extremity functions in the context of what is not yet being discussed in detail. Dr. Rogers states, "And we're not even talking about, and I I can't even get into the lower extremity functions as far as improvements there, which we can talk about at a later date." This indicates that while there might be potential for improvements in lower extremity function, the current discussion is focused on other aspects and these details are reserved for a future conversation.