Neurim has developed several compounds with combined activities that make them promising candidates for the treatment of asthma. These activities include inhibition of leukotriene pathway, antioxidation and 5-HT2b blocking, which were linked directly or indirectly to inflammation and asthma.

In preclinical efficacy studies these compounds were found effective in reducing airways eosinophilia, hyper responsiveness, edema and mucus production in allergen challenged rats and mice.

Asthma is a complex syndrome characterized by variable obstruction to airflow, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Asthma effects approximately 17 million people in the US, one third of them are children. Despite the availability of effective therapies such as corticosteroids (CS) and long active beta agonists (LABA), asthma remains a source of significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. In addition, the current therapies suffer from local and systemic side effects (CS) and increased risk of life-threatening asthma episodes or asthma-related deaths (LABA).

Neurim found that its compounds may have therapeutic effects in COPD. Some of these compounds were tested and found to reduce inflammation in COPD-relevant models.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD is a term referring to two lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that are characterized by obstruction to airflow that interferes with normal breathing. Both of these conditions frequently co-exist, hence physicians refer to the term COPD. It does not include other obstructive diseases such as asthma. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in America, claiming the lives of 120,000 Americans in 2002. None of the existing medications for COPD has been shown to modify the long-term decline in lung function that is the hallmark of this disease.