NeuroPulse Daily January 7, 2026

Pulse:

VB Spine completed the acquisition of Stryker’s spine implant manufacturing facility in Cestas, France, expanding its global manufacturing footprint.
The facility brings established infrastructure, workforce expertise, and uninterrupted production capacity into VB Spine’s operations.
The acquisition follows VB Spine’s 2025 formation through the purchase of Stryker’s U.S. spine implant business.
Strengthening manufacturing control positions VB Spine to support future growth, surgeon training, and supply chain resilience in spine care.

Pulse:

Anavex Life Sciences reported receiving constructive FDA feedback following a Type C meeting focused on its Alzheimer’s disease program.
The agency invited Anavex to present clinical data supporting blarcamesine, including its oral administration profile and absence of ARIA-related safety concerns.
Discussions included potential pathways toward an NDA submission based on existing Phase 2b/3 data.
Ongoing regulatory engagement positions Anavex to advance its Alzheimer’s program within an evolving treatment landscape.

Pulse:

Newleos Therapeutics announced dosing of the first participant in its Phase 2 SOAR study evaluating NTX-1472 for the treatment of social anxiety disorder, marking a key clinical milestone for the company’s anxiety-focused pipeline.
NTX-1472 is a selective, brain-penetrant vasopressin 1a (V1a) receptor antagonist designed to target neural circuits involved in anxiety and stress, offering a differentiated approach from traditional serotonergic therapies.
The randomized, placebo-controlled study will assess safety, tolerability, and efficacy over eight weeks in adults with generalized social anxiety disorder, using established clinical and functional endpoints.
Progression into Phase 2 reflects growing interest in circuit-specific neuropsychiatric therapies aimed at improving efficacy while reducing tolerability limitations seen with existing treatments.

Pulse:

Lysoway Therapeutics announced Phase I readiness for LW-1017, a brain-penetrant TRPML1 agonist targeting lysosomal dysfunction in age-related neurodegenerative disease.
All IND-enabling studies have been completed, with first-in-human dosing planned for 2026 to evaluate safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics.
Preclinical data demonstrated restoration of autophagy–lysosomal function and reductions in pathological protein accumulation across models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
The company also nominated a TMEM175 development candidate, reinforcing the reproducibility of its lysosomal ion channel drug discovery platform.

Pulse:

LoQus23 Therapeutics announced the nomination of LQT-23 as its lead development candidate for Huntington’s disease.
LQT-23 is an allosteric small-molecule inhibitor of MSH3/MutSβ, targeting somatic repeat expansion that drives disease progression.
Preclinical studies showed robust inhibition of DNA instability and disease-relevant pathology in cellular and animal models.
Nomination of the candidate positions LoQus23 to advance toward IND submission later this year in a disease area with no approved disease-modifying therapies.

Pulse:

Oculis Holding AG announced that the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to Privosegtor for the treatment of optic neuritis.
Privosegtor is a neuroprotective peptoid small molecule designed to cross the blood–brain and retinal barriers, addressing acute optic nerve injury.
The designation was supported by Phase 2 ACUITY trial data demonstrating improvements in visual function and retinal preservation.
Regulatory momentum supports Oculis’ PIONEER program as the company advances registrational studies in optic neuropathies.

Pulse:

The U.S. FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to alixorexton for the treatment of narcolepsy type 1, based on positive Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical data.
Alixorexton is an oral, selective orexin 2 receptor agonist designed to restore wakefulness by targeting the central orexin pathway.
In the Phase 2 Vibrance-1 study, the drug demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in wakefulness with a favorable tolerability profile.
The designation is expected to accelerate development and regulatory interaction as Alkermes prepares to initiate Phase 3 trials.

Pulse:

Newron Pharmaceuticals announced the grant of a new European composition of matter patent covering crystalline forms of evenamide, extending potential market exclusivity for the asset into 2044.
Evenamide is a first-in-class glutamate modulator currently being evaluated in the global ENIGMA-TRS Phase 3 program for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, a population with high unmet need.
The expanded patent protection strengthens Newron’s long-term commercial positioning as the program advances through pivotal clinical development.
The decision underscores the strategic importance of intellectual property durability in late-stage CNS programs with differentiated mechanisms of action.