Early clinical trials with classical neurotrophic growth factor proteins such as NGF, BDNF, CNTF have failed for various reasons including safety, efficacy and convenience of administration as well as right definition of the clinical indication. Today quite a number of clinical and preclinical studies are evaluating new approaches of neuroprotection or –regeneration in various neurological disorders including neuropathies, stroke, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis or Huntington’s disease. Among the approaches are the classical growth factors engineered to pass the blood-brain barrier or to be expressed by locally delivered cells. Small molecules are in development as neurotrophic agents with favourable drug-like and pharmacological properties. Antibodies are also used to block pathways inhibitory for axonal regeneration or neurite outgrowth, thereby inducing functional recovery. More than 16 molecules are in clinical evaluation, further two approaching entry into humans and more than 16 in preclinical stages.

Related report:
Competitor Analysis: Neurotrophic Growth Factors

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