HLB NeuroTobe to Submit IND for Dystonia Treatment 'NT-1'

· Accelerating R&D on novel treatments for dystonia and Parkinson's disease

 

Kim Dae-soo, CEO of HLB NeuroTobe (Credit: HLB NeuroTobe)

SEOUL, South Korea, February 10, 2025 (IT Times) - HLB NeuroTobe has announced that it plans to submit a domestic Phase 1 clinical trial plan (IND) for 'NT-1', a candidate treatment of dystonia, to South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety within the year.

Dystonia is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, causing painful twisting movements or postures in specific body parts or the entire body. Current treatments, such as botulinum toxin injections and deep brain stimulation (DBS), face challenges like resistance and adverse side effects.

HLB NeuroTobe's research revealed that chronic stress in dystonia patients leads to excessive serotonin secretion. This overproduction stimulates the serotonin receptor (5HT-2AR) to cause muscle tension. NT-1 inhibits the serotonin receptor, showing potential in reducing both muscle tension and associated pain.

In addition to NT-1, the company is also progressing with its Parkinson's disease treatment candidate, NT-3. Following two years of toxicity testing, HLB NeuroTobe aims to begin Phase 1 clinical trials for NT-3 by the end of 2027.

Unlike conventional Parkinson's treatments that target the accumulation of toxic alpha-synuclein in dopamine neurons, NT-3 takes a novel approach. It focuses on the "reverse excitatory signal" observed in the brain's thalamic nucleus when dopamine levels drop. By blocking the CaV3.1 gene, which generates this reverse excitatory signal, NT-3 offers a new mechanism for treating Parkinson's disease without directly addressing dopamine deficits. This mechanism has been validated in animal studies and published in the prestigious neuroscience journal Neuron.

"We are accelerating our R&D through collaboration with HLB Group affiliates in areas such as preclinical trials and clinical design," said Kim Dae-soo, CEO of HLB NeuroTobe. "Our goal is to achieve groundbreaking advancements in the treatment of dystonia and Parkinson's disease, aiming to become a global leader in combating intractable brain diseases."

HLB NeuroTobe, a biotech company specializing in treatments for intractable brain diseases, is ramping up its research and development, including finalizing the clinical plans for its major pipelines, after being acquired by the HLB Group. 

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HLB NeuroTobe to Submit IND for Dystonia Treatment 'NT-1' - IT타임스